How much is unemployment pay in Washington state - weekly benefit amount confusion

Thanks! So it's not based on my most recent wages but my best quarter over the past year? That's confusing but makes sense I guess.

Yeah the base period thing trips up a lot of people. It's usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters before you file your claim.

Oh no, what do you mean stuck in adjudication? How long did that take to resolve?

Three weeks! I kept calling the main number but could never get through. Finally found this service called Claimyr that helped me get connected to an actual agent. Game changer honestly - they have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

Wait, 680 hours? I thought it was just about the dollar amount. Are you sure about that number?

Yes, it's both wage and hour requirements. The 680 hours ensures you actually worked enough to qualify, not just had a few high-paying gigs.

This is why I hate the unemployment system - so many random rules and requirements that nobody explains clearly upfront.

Really? I looked all over their website and couldn't find a calculator. Do you remember where exactly it was?

I think it was under the 'Before You Apply' section, but honestly their website is such a mess to navigate.

How much can you earn exactly? I might need to do some gig work while collecting unemployment.

You can earn up to your weekly benefit amount minus $5 without any reduction. So if your WBA is $400, you can earn up to $395 that week with no penalty.

I know it seems complicated but the quarter system actually protects workers who might have had a recent pay cut or reduction in hours. It looks at your best earning period.

Still confusing AF though. Took me forever to figure out when my base period actually was.

What's an alternate base period? This is getting more complicated...

It uses the most recent 4 quarters instead of the standard calculation. Washington ESD will automatically check this if you don't qualify under the regular base period.

Yeah they're supposed to automatically consider alternate base period but sometimes you have to specifically request it when you file.

I feel this so hard. Spent hours trying to call Washington ESD about my benefit calculation and never got through to a human.

That's exactly why I ended up using Claimyr - I was wasting so much time trying to call. Check out claimyr.com if you need to actually talk to someone at Washington ESD.

Sure the amounts might be okay but the process is still a nightmare to navigate.

Wait, unemployment is taxable? Great, another thing to worry about...

Yeah, it's considered income. You can have them withhold 10% for federal taxes when you file your weekly claims to avoid a big tax bill later.

Learned this the hard way. Definitely have them withhold taxes if you're going to be on unemployment for more than a few weeks.

Yeah they adjust the maximum benefit amount annually based on average wages in the state.

3 job contacts per week? That seems like a lot, especially if there aren't many openings in my field.

It includes applications, networking contacts, job fairs, interviews - basically any legitimate job search activity. And you have to log everything in WorkSourceWA.

The job search stuff is actually more important than worrying about the exact benefit amount. Miss those requirements and you get nothing.

Thanks everyone! This thread has been super helpful. I feel like I actually understand the system now.

Good luck with your claim if you end up filing. Hope the process goes smoothly for you.

How does that even work? Do they just keep calling for you or something?

Yeah basically they handle all the calling and waiting, then connect you when they get an agent on the line. Way better than sitting on hold for hours yourself.

Oh wow, I didn't even know partial unemployment was a thing! That could actually be really helpful since my hours at work have been pretty inconsistent lately. Do you know if there's a minimum number of hours you have to lose to qualify for partial benefits? Like if I normally work 35 hours but only get scheduled for 28 one week, would that be enough of a reduction?