How much is unemployment insurance benefit amount in Washington ESD?

Thanks! So it's not just my recent wages but the best quarter? That actually might work out better for me since I picked up a lot of overtime last summer.

Yeah the base period is usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters before you file. So if you file now it would look at last year's earnings mostly.

That's way higher than I expected! How do they determine which quarter counts as the highest earning?

They look at the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters before you filed. So if you file in January 2025, they'd look at quarters ending in September, June, March, and December of the previous year.

Good to know about the minimum. I'm pretty sure I earned way more than $3,850 last year so I should be fine there.

wait so even if I only worked part time I might still get something? I thought you had to be full time to get unemployment

No, part-time workers can definitely qualify for UI benefits as long as they meet the wage requirements and are available for work. It's about your total earnings, not whether you were full or part-time.

Same problem here! I've been calling since early morning and it just keeps saying high call volume. Super frustrating when you need answers about your claim.

You might want to try Claimyr - it's a service that helps people get through to Washington ESD agents. I used it last month when I couldn't reach anyone about my adjudication issue. Check out claimyr.com and there's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

Never heard of that before. Is it legit? I'm desperate at this point but don't want to get scammed.

How long did it take you to get approved? I'm worried about the wait time.

about 3 weeks but that was because they had to verify my identity. the phone system is terrible

Is that legit? I'm always skeptical of third-party services for government stuff.

Yeah it's real. They just help you get through the phone queue faster. I was able to talk to someone at Washington ESD within 20 minutes instead of hours of busy signals.

I've heard of Claimyr too. My sister used it when she had adjudication issues and it worked for her.

Yeah I did work a second job doing catering on weekends for a few months. Should I mention that when I file?

Definitely mention it but Washington ESD should automatically have those wages if the employer reported them. You can check your wage record online once you file to make sure everything's there.

What's the minimum you can get? I'm worried my part-time hours might not qualify me for much.

The minimum weekly benefit amount is $295 as of 2025. You need to have earned at least $7,000 in your base period to qualify for any benefits.

wait is that $7k total or per quarter? im confused

Identity verification issues are really common right now. Make sure you're using a clear, well-lit photo of your ID and that your face is visible. Sometimes it helps to try different browsers or devices.

I've tried everything. Even went to the library to use their computer. Still getting errors.

This is exactly why I need to talk to someone at Washington ESD. These automated systems don't work half the time.

oh ok that makes more sense thanks

That's helpful to know. I should definitely qualify then since I've been working consistently.

Standby status pays the same weekly benefit amount as regular UI, but you don't have to do job search activities. However, you can only stay on standby for 8 weeks maximum.

Good to know, I'm getting close to that 8 week limit. Guess I need to start job searching soon.

Hard to say without knowing how your wages were distributed across quarters. If it was pretty even, maybe around $6,250 per quarter, so roughly $240/week. But if you had a really good quarter it could be higher.

That's actually more than I thought I'd get. Might be worth filing then.

What kind of documentation did you need? I was laid off so I have the notice from my employer.

That should be enough if it's a clear layoff. They might ask for pay stubs or other wage records if there are any questions about your earnings.

A month to get approved? That's crazy. How are people supposed to pay bills while waiting?

That sounds about right for your income level. The processing usually takes 2-3 weeks for straightforward claims.

nice! at least you got through to someone. i gave up calling after the first week

No, all the federal pandemic benefits ended in 2021. Now it's just regular state unemployment insurance. No extra payments beyond your calculated weekly benefit amount.

Bummer. Well I guess something is better than nothing.

That's good to know. I might be able to pick up some shifts at another restaurant while I'm looking for full-time work.

Yeah just make sure you report any earnings on your weekly claim. They'll calculate the reduction for you.

That's exactly the kind of situation where Claimyr really helps. When you're stuck in adjudication, you need to talk to someone who can actually look at your file and explain what's happening.

I might have to try that. This is ridiculous, I have bills to pay!

Adjudication delays are usually due to identity verification, work separation issues, or earnings discrepancies. Have you checked your online account for any pending issues?

Really? How much did it cost? I'm willing to pay something if it actually works.

I don't want to get into specifics about pricing here but it was reasonable considering how much time it saved me. You can check their website for current rates.

Might have to try that. I've been trying to reach them about a potential overpayment notice and can't get through at all.

Oh I didn't think about taxes! Do they automatically withhold or do I need to ask them to?

You can request 10% federal tax withholding when you file your weekly claims. I'd recommend it unless you want a big tax bill next year.

That formula looks more complicated than what others were saying. Is that the actual one they use?

Yeah it's more complex than just dividing by 26. The second part factors in your total base period earnings to adjust the amount up or down.

You're right, I simplified it earlier. The actual calculation does factor in total base period wages, not just the highest quarter.

Usually 1-2 business days after your claim is approved and you file your first weekly claim. Make sure you have direct deposit set up for faster payments.

thanks! already set up direct deposit so hopefully it goes smooth

Wait there are job search requirements? I thought you just had to be available for work.

oh yeah you have to actively look for work and document it. washington esd requires 3 job search activities per week and you have to keep a log in case they audit you.

The job search thing is such a hassle. I spend more time documenting my searches than actually looking for jobs sometimes.

No, it's not dollar for dollar. Washington ESD has an earnings deduction formula. Generally, if you earn less than your weekly benefit amount, you'll still get some unemployment benefits. They subtract your earnings from your weekly benefit amount.

That's good to know. So if my benefit is $400 and I earn $200 that week, I'd get $200 from unemployment?

Not quite. They have a formula where they subtract your gross earnings from your weekly benefit amount, but there's also a small earnings disregard. Check the Washington ESD website for the exact calculation.

Good point. I didn't think about taxes. Is it better to have them withheld or pay later?

Depends on your situation but I'd recommend having them withheld. Otherwise you might owe a big chunk at tax time.

How do they determine how many weeks you can collect?

It's based on your total base period wages divided by your weekly benefit amount. So if you had $15,000 in base period wages and get $300/week, you could collect for about 25 weeks.

Yeah Washington definitely has better benefits than a lot of places. The cost of living is higher here though so it balances out somewhat.

That's reassuring. I was worried it wouldn't be enough to get by on.

I've tried calling at 8am and still couldn't get through. Going to look into that Claimyr thing.

Same here. I set my alarm for 7:45am and started calling right at 8. Still got the busy signal.

Thanks for all the helpful info everyone. I think I have enough information to file my claim now.

Good luck with your claim! The process can be frustrating but hang in there.

Always happy to help fellow claimants navigate the system. It's complicated enough without having to figure it out alone.

Agreed! This community is great for getting real answers instead of trying to decode the official Washington ESD website.

What kind of job search activities do you have to do? I'm worried about meeting the requirements.

Three work search activities per week. Can be job applications, networking, career workshops, etc. Keep detailed records because they do audit them.

Yes, overtime counts as part of your gross wages for that quarter. So if OT pushed your highest quarter higher, that would increase your weekly benefit amount.

Great! I was pulling 60+ hour weeks for a few months so that should help my benefit calculation.

Really? That's encouraging. I might try it if I run into problems with my claim.

yeah its legit. they just help you get in the phone queue faster. still talk to actual washington esd people

When are you supposed to file the weekly claims? Is there a specific day?

You can file starting Sunday for the previous week. I just do it every Sunday morning to stay consistent. Don't wait until the last minute.

yeah but the website still crashes during peak times. tried to file my claim sunday morning and it was down for 2 hours

True, but still better than the old days. I remember waiting weeks just to get the forms in the mail.

Yes, unemployment benefits count as income for most assistance programs. But you should still apply - the income limits are higher than you might think, especially if you have dependents.

Thanks, I'll look into it. Every little bit helps right now.

Good advice. I've been keeping everything in a folder but should probably scan it all too.

Definitely scan or take photos. Digital copies are easier to submit if they request documentation online.

Agreed! I feel much more confident about my claim now. This community is great.

Happy to help. We've all been through the unemployment process and know how stressful it can be. Good luck with your claim!