How much is unemployment per week in Washington state?

Washington unemployment benefits are calculated based on your highest earning quarter in your base period. The maximum weekly benefit amount for 2025 is $999 per week. Your actual amount depends on your previous wages - typically it's about 50% of your average weekly wage up to the maximum.

i think the minimum is like $295 per week and max is $999 but most people get somewhere in between depending on what they made

The weekly benefit amount in Washington depends on your earnings history. Washington ESD looks at your highest quarter of earnings in your base period (first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters). The maximum weekly benefit is $999 but most people get less. You can use the benefit calculator on the Washington ESD website to get an estimate.

Thanks! I'll check out that calculator. Do you know if they count tips? I get decent tips at my retail job.

Your weekly benefit amount depends on your earnings in your base period. Washington ESD calculates it based on your highest quarter of wages. For someone making $55k, you're probably looking at somewhere between $400-700 per week, but it varies a lot.

Washington ESD uses your highest earning quarter from your base period (usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters). They take that amount, divide by 26, then multiply by 0.0385 to get your weekly benefit amount. There's also a maximum weekly benefit amount that changes each year - for 2024 it's $999 per week.

Washington unemployment benefits are calculated at about 60-70% of your average weekly wage, but there's a weekly maximum. For 2025, the maximum weekly benefit amount is around $999. Since you were making $850/week, you'd probably get close to that full amount depending on your exact earnings history over the past year.

The Washington ESD benefit calculator on their website should give you an estimate, but honestly their phone system is impossible to get through to if you need clarification. I spent weeks trying to reach someone about my benefit amount calculation. Finally found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually got me through to a Washington ESD agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works.

As of 2025, the maximum weekly benefit in Washington is $999, and the minimum is $295. Your amount will be somewhere in that range based on your work history. The Washington ESD uses a specific formula that considers your base period earnings.

be careful though because if you dont qualify for the full amount you might get less than you think. i thought i was gonna get like $400 but only got $250 because i didnt work enough hours or something

I've been trying to get through to Washington ESD for three days to ask about my benefit calculation and I keep getting busy signals or getting disconnected after waiting for hours. Has anyone found a way to actually reach them? This is so frustrating when you're trying to get basic information about your claim.

Your weekly benefit amount is determined by looking at your wages in the four quarters before you file your claim (that's your base period). Washington ESD takes your two highest quarters, adds them together, divides by 2, then divides by 25. That gives you your weekly benefit amount, up to the maximum of $999.

I've been trying to reach Washington ESD for weeks to get clarification on my benefit amount calculation. Their phone lines are always busy and I keep getting disconnected. Has anyone found a reliable way to actually talk to someone there?

The exact amount depends on your earnings in what they call the 'base period.' Washington ESD has a benefit calculator on their website that can give you an estimate, but honestly it's pretty confusing to use. I tried calling to get help understanding it but couldn't get through to anyone.

the benefit amount also depends on if you have dependents. i think you get extra money for kids under 18 but im not sure how much

Yes, reported tips count toward your earnings. Make sure you have documentation of all your wages including tips when you file your claim.

Been on unemployment twice and both times my weekly amount was different even though I made similar money. The calculation depends on exactly which quarters they look at for your base period.

The Washington ESD website has a benefit calculator tool that's pretty accurate. You input your wages from each quarter and it estimates your weekly benefit amount. It's under the 'Calculate Your Benefits' section. Way easier than trying to do the math yourself.

i think its like 60% of your wages or something but theres a cap. my friend got around $400/week when she was laid off last year

I'm getting $634 per week right now. Filed my claim in December after my company downsized. The amount was pretty close to what I expected based on my 2024 earnings.

Just went through this myself. Made about $48k last year and my weekly benefit is $462. Took about 3 weeks to get my first payment though because of adjudication delays.

The Washington ESD website has all this info but honestly it's written in such bureaucratic language that it's hard to understand. Plus their phone lines are always busy when you need clarification.

The reason they use older quarters is because employers have to report wages to Washington ESD, and there's a lag time. They need complete quarters with verified wage information. Sometimes if your recent wages aren't in the system yet, you can request they use an alternate base period with more recent wages.

The weekly benefit amount formula in Washington is: (Total wages in two highest quarters of base period ÷ 2) ÷ 25. The minimum is $295/week and maximum is $999/week for 2025. You'll also need to factor in any federal or state taxes that might be withheld if you choose that option.

Don't forget you have to pay taxes on unemployment benefits. They'll withhold 10% federal taxes if you choose that option when filing your weekly claims.

It's actually calculated differently than that. Washington uses a specific formula based on your quarterly earnings, not just a percentage of your most recent wages.

oh ok good to know, thanks for the correction

Don't forget you have to pay taxes on unemployment benefits. It's not like you get the full amount to spend.

Also remember you have to file your weekly claims every week to get paid, even if the amount stays the same. And you need to do your job search activities.

The weekly amount also depends on if you have any part-time work. They reduce your benefits dollar-for-dollar after you earn more than your weekly benefit amount plus $5.

For the alternate base period, you need to contact Washington ESD directly. They'll review your recent wage information and recalculate your benefits if you qualify. You usually need to provide pay stubs or other documentation of your recent earnings.

Been unemployed for 8 weeks now and getting $445 per week. It's not much but it helps cover basic expenses while I'm job hunting. The key is to file your claim as soon as possible after losing your job.

Just want to mention that your weekly benefit amount also depends on any part-time work you do while collecting unemployment. If you work part-time, they'll reduce your benefit amount based on how much you earn. There's a formula for that too but it's kind of complicated.

wait so if I was making minimum wage like $16/hour for 40 hours thats only about $640 a week before taxes... would I get the minimum $295 or more??

Based on $18/hour for 2 years, you'd probably qualify for somewhere between $300-500 per week, but that's just a rough estimate. The exact amount depends on your earnings pattern and how many hours you worked each quarter. You should definitely apply - even if you find another job quickly, you might be eligible for benefits during any gap period.

One thing that helped me was actually getting through to a Washington ESD agent to verify my benefit calculation was correct. Used that Claimyr service someone mentioned and it saved me so much time compared to trying to call directly.

THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS BROKEN! I was supposed to get $600 a week but they keep reducing my payments for no reason. Been fighting with them for months and can't get a straight answer from anyone at Washington ESD.

That would actually help a lot with my rent while I'm job hunting. How long does it take to get approved and start receiving payments?

For planning purposes, I'd budget for about 50-60% of your previous weekly gross income. That's roughly what most people end up with after taxes and the benefit calculation.

the whole system is confusing honestly. between the base periods and the calculations and the work reporting requirements its like they dont want you to understand it. i just wish there was a simple way to know exactly what youll get

Don't forget you can only collect for a maximum of 26 weeks in Washington, unless there are special circumstances or extensions available. The total amount you can receive is called your 'maximum benefit amount' and it's calculated when your claim is established.

The maximum duration for regular unemployment in Washington is 26 weeks, so factor that into your planning too. Your weekly amount stays the same throughout that period unless your circumstances change.

One thing to keep in mind is that unemployment benefits are taxable income. You can choose to have federal taxes withheld from your weekly payments, or you can pay them when you file your tax return. I learned this the hard way and owed a bunch of money at tax time.

Make sure all your employer information is accurate when you file. Any discrepancies can delay your claim and your first payment.

The amount can also be affected if you have any part-time work while collecting. Washington has a partial unemployment system where you can work up to a certain amount and still get some benefits, but it reduces your weekly payment.

Has anyone else noticed that the Washington ESD website is super slow when trying to file weekly claims? I swear it takes forever to load and sometimes kicks me out.

Usually 2-3 weeks if there are no issues with your claim. Sometimes it can take longer if your claim goes into adjudication for verification.

Remember you also have to actively look for work and report your job search activities. The benefit amount doesn't matter if you're not meeting the job search requirements.

I've been trying to reach Washington ESD for weeks to ask about my benefit amount calculation because something seems wrong. Their phone lines are always busy and I keep getting disconnected. Has anyone found a way to actually talk to someone there?

i've been on unemployment for 8 weeks now and still haven't figured out exactly how they calculate my weekly amount. every week seems different even though my situation hasn't changed

I had the same problem until I found Claimyr. It's a service that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents. You can check it out at claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me hours of calling.

Does anyone know if Washington ESD has updated their benefit amounts for 2025 yet? I know the maximum weekly benefit amount changes each year based on the state's average weekly wage.

For anyone still confused about the calculation, here's a simple example: Let's say your highest quarter earnings were $15,000. Divide by 26 weeks = $576.92. Multiply by 0.0385 = $22.21. Wait, that can't be right... I think I'm doing something wrong.

Also keep in mind that if you're denied initially, you can appeal the decision. Sometimes the automated system makes mistakes on benefit calculations.

Actually, I just looked this up on the Washington ESD website and the formula is: weekly benefit amount = (highest quarter base period wages ÷ 26) but it can't exceed the maximum weekly benefit amount. The 0.0385 factor is used to determine the maximum weekly benefit amount each year, not individual claims.

i wish i had known about all this stuff before i filed my claim. i just submitted it without really understanding how much id get and now im stuck waiting for adjudication to figure out if i even qualify

Quick question - do they count bonuses and overtime in the quarterly wage calculation? I had a pretty big bonus in one quarter that would significantly affect my benefit amount.

This has been really helpful. I was dreading filing for unemployment because I didn't understand how any of it worked, but now I feel more confident about the process. Thanks everyone for sharing your knowledge and experiences.

One thing to remember is that your first week is usually a 'waiting week' where you don't get paid, even though you file the claim. So plan for that gap in income.

One thing to watch out for - if you made significantly more in recent quarters compared to your base period, your benefit might be lower than expected. The base period is usually a year behind your current earnings.

Also keep in mind that unemployment benefits are temporary. In Washington, you can receive benefits for up to 26 weeks, though that can be extended during high unemployment periods.

Does anyone know if the weekly benefit amount affects how much you can earn while still collecting? I might have some part-time work opportunities.

Thanks! I'll definitely look into that. I'm so frustrated with trying to call them directly.

Wait, is that a paid service? Seems like we shouldn't have to pay extra just to talk to a government agency.

It is a paid service but honestly it was worth it for me. I was spending 3-4 hours a day trying to get through and getting nowhere. This got me connected in under an hour.

The minimum weekly benefit amount in Washington is $295 and the maximum is $999 as of 2025. Your benefit amount is calculated as follows: take your two highest quarters of earnings in your base period, add them together, divide by 52, then multiply by 0.0385. That gives you your weekly benefit amount.

Wow that's a pretty specific formula. So if I made $15,000 in my best quarter and $12,000 in my second best, that would be $27,000 total divided by 52 = $519, then times 0.0385 = about $200 per week?

Exactly! You've got it right. Though you'd want to double-check your actual quarterly earnings on your pay stubs or tax documents.

That formula seems way too complicated. Why can't they just make it simple like 50% of your average weekly wage?

Don't forget you have to actively look for work to keep getting benefits. Washington ESD requires you to make at least 3 job search contacts per week and log them in your WorkSourceWA account. The weekly benefit amount doesn't matter if you can't maintain eligibility.

Good point. What counts as a job search contact? Just applying for jobs online?

Job applications, networking contacts, attending job fairs, interviews - there's a list of approved activities. You have to document everything in WorkSourceWA.

ugh the whole system is so confusing. I filed 3 weeks ago and still haven't gotten my first payment. My claim shows pending and I have no idea what's going on with the amount I'm supposed to get

If your claim is pending for 3 weeks, it might be in adjudication. That means they're reviewing something about your claim - could be your work history, reason for separation, or wage verification. You really need to call them to find out what's holding it up.

I've tried calling so many times but can never get through. It's so frustrating.

I know others have mentioned Claimyr earlier in this thread - might be worth looking into if you need to reach someone urgently about your pending claim.

The weekly amount also depends on if you have any part-time work while claiming benefits. Washington has a partial benefit formula where they deduct 75% of your part-time earnings from your weekly benefit amount. So if you qualify for $400/week but earn $100 in part-time work, you'd get $400 - ($100 × 0.75) = $325 that week.

That's actually not as bad as I thought. I was worried any part-time work would disqualify me completely.

Nope, Washington encourages part-time work while on benefits. Just make sure you report all earnings accurately on your weekly claim or you could face an overpayment.

I got $487 per week when I was on unemployment last year. I was making about $52,000 annually before I got laid off. The amount seemed fair considering what I was earning.

That sounds about right for that income level. How long did it take you to find a new job?

About 4 months. The benefits definitely helped bridge the gap, though I had to be really careful with my budget.

Make sure you understand that your benefit year lasts 52 weeks from when you file, but you can only collect up to 26 weeks of benefits (or until your benefit balance runs out, whichever comes first). The weekly amount stays the same throughout your benefit year even if you find part-time work.

So if I qualify for $350/week, I could get up to $350 × 26 = $9,100 total over the year?

Exactly, assuming you remain eligible and file your weekly claims. But remember you have to meet all the ongoing requirements like job search activities.

The Washington ESD website has a really helpful benefit calculator tool. You just plug in your quarterly wages and it gives you an estimate. Much easier than trying to do the math yourself.

I tried using that calculator but it asked for wages by quarter and I'm not sure how to figure that out from my pay stubs.

You can look at your W-2 or contact your employer's HR department. They should be able to give you a breakdown by quarter.

Whatever amount you qualify for, remember it's taxable income. You can choose to have taxes withheld from your weekly benefits or pay them when you file your tax return. I learned that the hard way.

Oh I didn't think about taxes. How much do they typically withhold?

I think it's 10% federal tax withholding. You can choose this option when you file your initial claim or change it later.

For someone making $18/hour in retail, you'll probably qualify for benefits but the amount will depend on your actual hours worked. Retail can be unpredictable with scheduling so your quarterly earnings might vary a lot.

That's true, my hours have been pretty inconsistent. Some weeks I get 35 hours, other weeks only 20.

That actually might work in your favor if you had some high-earning quarters. The formula uses your best quarters, not your average.

Just want to add that if you're denied benefits or disagree with your weekly amount, you have the right to appeal the decision. I successfully appealed my benefit calculation when they miscalculated my wages.

How long did the appeal process take for you?

About 6 weeks total. Had to provide additional wage documentation but it was worth it - increased my weekly amount by $75.

Bottom line is you won't know your exact weekly amount until you file your claim and Washington ESD processes it. The estimates are helpful but the actual calculation uses your specific wage history. I'd recommend filing sooner rather than later if you're eligible.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful info! I think I'm going to file my claim this week.

Good luck! The process isn't too bad once you get started. Just make sure you have all your employment info ready.

Just want to add that if you're confused about your benefit calculation or have questions about your claim, don't give up on trying to reach Washington ESD. I used Claimyr after getting frustrated with busy signals and was finally able to get my questions answered. The peace of mind was worth it.

The Washington ESD website has a benefit calculator but it's pretty basic. For a more accurate estimate, you really need to look at your actual wage history in your eServices account after you file your claim.

I've been on unemployment twice in Washington and both times my weekly amount was different even though I thought I was making similar wages. The base period calculation can be tricky if you had gaps in employment or seasonal work.

Does the weekly amount ever change once it's set, or is it the same every week until your benefits run out?

The whole system is so confusing honestly. I wish Washington ESD would just tell you upfront what you'll get instead of making you wait until after you file to find out.

Just remember that unemployment is temporary assistance, not a replacement for your full salary. $850 to maybe $600 is still a significant drop in income, so adjust your spending accordingly.

Don't forget about the job search requirements - you need to make at least 3 job contacts per week and keep records. Washington ESD can audit your job search activities at any time.

Based on your $52,000 salary, you'll likely qualify for around $400-500 per week in unemployment benefits. Washington calculates this using your highest earning quarter from your base period (typically the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters). The exact formula is your highest quarter wages divided by 26 weeks, with a maximum of $999/week for 2025. Don't forget there's a one-week waiting period before payments start, and you'll need to file weekly claims while actively job searching (3 contacts per week minimum). Also consider having 10% federal taxes withheld to avoid a big tax bill later since unemployment benefits are taxable income.