How much is unemployment benefits in Washington ESD - what should I expect?

So if I made around $13,000 in my highest quarter, I'd get about $500 a week? That would actually help a lot with my mortgage payments.

That sounds about right, but Washington ESD will calculate the exact amount when you file your claim. Make sure you have all your employment history ready when you apply.

How long did it take to get approved? I'm worried about the waiting period.

took about 10 days but i had no issues with my claim, some people wait weeks if theres adjudication

Wait, there's no state tax on unemployment in Washington? That's actually huge - I was worried about getting hit with a massive tax bill next year.

Correct, Washington doesn't have state income tax, but you'll still owe federal taxes on unemployment benefits unless you choose to have them withheld.

I had the same problem until someone told me about Claimyr. It's a service that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents by phone. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. I was able to talk to someone within 30 minutes instead of calling for days.

Really? That sounds almost too good to be true. I'm so frustrated with the phone system I'm willing to try anything at this point.

I was skeptical too but it actually worked. They handle all the calling and waiting, then connect you when an agent picks up. Made the whole process so much less stressful.

What does adjudication mean exactly? I keep seeing that word but I'm not sure what triggers it.

Adjudication happens when Washington ESD needs to investigate something about your claim - could be a question about why you left your job, conflicting information, or they need to verify your identity. It's frustrating but they have to make sure claims are legitimate.

Mine is supposedly about 'separation issues' but I was laid off due to budget cuts. There shouldn't be any question about that.

That's confusing - so if I got a big raise recently, that won't count toward my benefit amount?

Exactly. They use completed quarters, so if you just got a raise a few months ago, it might not be included in your base period calculation.

The maximum did increase for 2025 - it's now $999 per week, up from the previous amounts. But remember, very few people actually qualify for the maximum since it requires pretty high earnings in your base period.

ok good to know, thanks for clarifying

That's good to know. I was thinking about taking a part-time job while I look for something full-time. Do you know how much they reduce it by?

I believe you can earn up to about $175 per week without any reduction, and after that they reduce your benefit by 75 cents for every dollar you earn over that threshold. But double-check that with Washington ESD since the rules can change.

How many jobs do you have to apply for each week? I heard it was pretty strict.

I think it's 3 job search activities per week, but it doesn't have to be just applications. It can include networking, attending job fairs, or career counseling activities.

Same here! I was expecting around $450 based on the online calculator but ended up getting $320. Was pretty disappointed.

Ugh, that's frustrating. I was hoping to get a decent estimate before filing.

I've heard of that service too. Apparently it's pretty popular because the regular phone system is so backed up. Might be worth looking into if you need to talk to someone quickly.

Yeah, someone else mentioned Claimyr earlier. I'll definitely check it out if I run into phone issues.

Good advice. I've been overthinking this when I should just get the application started. Thanks everyone for all the helpful information!

Exactly right. I wasted two weeks trying to calculate everything perfectly before filing. Just get it done and they'll sort out the details.

How long did the appeal process take? Was it complicated?

took about 3 weeks but wasnt too bad, just had to provide pay stubs showing the missing wages

Is there a good resource for understanding all the requirements? The Washington ESD website is pretty overwhelming.

The WorkSourceWA website has some good guides, and when you file your initial claim they'll give you information about what's required each week.

Thanks for the heads up! I'll make sure I have all my documents ready before I start the application.

Yes, identity verification delays are super common right now. Having everything ready beforehand definitely helps avoid that headache.