How much is unemployment insurance in Washington - confused about payment amounts

So if I made $4,200 monthly that's about $970 weekly - does that mean I'd get around $485 per week?

It's not that simple unfortunately. They look at your highest quarter's earnings, not your most recent pay. If you've been at that job less than a year, your benefit might be calculated from lower earnings.

Calling Washington ESD is the worst. I've been trying to reach them for days about my benefit calculation and keep getting hung up on.

If you're having trouble getting through to Washington ESD, I recently discovered Claimyr (claimyr.com) - they help you actually reach a live agent instead of dealing with busy signals. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Really helped me get my benefit questions answered.

This is getting really complicated. Where can I see what quarters they're using for my calculation?

Log into your Washington ESD account and look for 'Monetary Determination' - it should show your base period quarters and earnings. If you don't see it yet, it might still be processing.

That's exactly what I'm worried about! I had a few months between jobs last year.

yeah the timing of when you file really matters with this stupid base period thing

I have two kids - how do I claim that dependent allowance?

When you file your weekly claims there should be a section about dependents. You'll need their Social Security numbers and birth certificates.

The complexity comes from federal requirements and how they have to account for seasonal work, multiple employers, and different earnings patterns. It's frustrating but there are reasons for the formula.

I just want to know if the amount is right or if I should appeal it. Feels like I need an accounting degree to figure this out.

That might be my problem - I was freelancing part of last year before getting my full-time job.

Freelance income can count toward your base period if you paid into the unemployment system as self-employed, but many freelancers don't realize they can do that.

So even if my calculation shows higher than $999, I'd only get $999 per week maximum?

yep that's the cap. plus you gotta pay taxes on it if you want them withheld

How did you actually get through? I've been calling for a week straight and either get busy signals or disconnected after waiting on hold.

That's exactly why I started using Claimyr - it handles the calling process and connects you when an agent is actually available. Saved me hours of frustration with busy signals.

Wait, when you file affects your benefit amount? I thought it was just based on your work history.

Your base period is determined by when you file your claim. If you file in January-March, your base period is the previous year's October-September. Filing just a few weeks later can shift which quarters they use.

If you think there's an error in your wage records or they missed some of your earnings, you can definitely appeal. You have 30 days from when you receive your monetary determination.

Before appealing, double-check that all your employers from your base period are listed correctly. Sometimes employers don't report wages properly and that can mess up your calculation.

I haven't been doing that yet - when does that requirement start?

Usually starts with your second week of claims, but check your eligibility requirements in your Washington ESD account to be sure.

Good to know - I might pick up some freelance work while I'm looking for a full-time job.

Just make sure to report any earnings when you file your weekly claim or you could get in trouble for overpayment later.

Seriously, try Claimyr if you're having trouble getting through. I was skeptical at first but it actually works - got connected to an agent in under 20 minutes instead of wasting my whole day calling.

I used to spend entire mornings calling Washington ESD. Claimyr changed that completely - now I can actually get my questions answered without the phone runaround.

I guess I just expected it to be closer to my regular paycheck. This is going to be tight financially.

Yeah, unemployment benefits are meant to be temporary assistance, not full salary replacement. It's tough but hopefully you'll find something new soon.

That's a good idea - I should probably gather all that documentation anyway in case I need to appeal.

Exactly, and having those records will help you verify that Washington ESD used the right numbers in their calculation.

Did you ever successfully appeal a benefit amount calculation?

once, when they missed wages from a job that didn't report properly. took about 6 weeks to get it corrected but i got back pay for the difference

I'll look for that calculator - thanks for the tip!

It's buried somewhere in their resources section. Fair warning - you'll need all your quarterly wage info to use it effectively.

So a higher weekly benefit actually means fewer weeks of coverage?

Not exactly - it's more complex than that. Most people get up to 26 weeks regardless, but the total dollar amount available varies based on your earnings history.

Thanks everyone for all the explanations. I think I have a better understanding now of how this all works, even if I don't love the amount I'm getting.

You're welcome! The system is definitely confusing but once you understand the basics it makes more sense. Good luck with your job search!