How much is unemployment weekly benefit amount in Washington state?

That's helpful, thank you! Do you know if there's a way to estimate it more precisely before I file my claim?

Yes, Washington ESD has a benefit calculator on their website. You'll need your wage information from the last 18 months to get an accurate estimate.

Thanks! So if I make $1000 per week, I'd get around $600? That seems pretty good actually.

Yeah roughly, but it depends on your earnings history over the past 5 quarters. They look at your base period which is usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters before you file.

Thanks! I'll check out that calculator. Do you know what the base period is exactly?

The base period is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file your claim. So if you file in January 2025, your base period would be January 2024 through December 2024.

That sounds about right based on what the other person said. Did you have any issues with your claim or did it go smoothly?

honestly it was a nightmare trying to get through to them on the phone when i had questions. spent hours calling and kept getting hung up on

So if my highest quarter was around $15,000, I'd get about $577 per week?

That sounds about right, but Washington ESD has to verify your wages first during the adjudication process.

Perfect, that makes sense. I think my highest quarter was around $14,000 so I should get close to $540 per week if I'm doing the math right.

Just remember you'll need to file weekly claims and do job searches to keep getting benefits. The job search requirement is 3 employer contacts per week.

I know it's frustrating but the base period calculation is actually pretty straightforward once you understand it. You need to look at your wages from specific quarters, not just your current job.

ok but what if I worked multiple jobs? do they count all of them or just my main one?

They count ALL your covered employment during your base period, so if you had multiple jobs that paid into unemployment insurance, they all get included in the calculation.

It's actually calculated differently. Washington uses a formula based on your highest quarter earnings divided by 26, then they take a percentage of that. The minimum weekly benefit is $295 for 2025.

oh ok thanks for the correction

Interesting, I hadn't heard of that before. Did it actually work for you?

Yeah, I was able to talk to someone at Washington ESD within like 30 minutes instead of trying to call for days. They explained exactly how my benefit was calculated and when to expect my first payment.

How much does that service cost though? I'm already tight on money being unemployed.

That's actually higher than I expected! I was worried it would be way less.

Don't forget you also have to pay taxes on unemployment benefits, so factor that in when budgeting.

Yeah I think you need to have earned at least 680 hours worth of wages or something like that. The requirements are confusing.

Wait really? You got through to Washington ESD that quickly? I've been trying to call for days and can never get past the busy signal.

Yeah I was shocked too. I was about to give up on calling entirely but this service basically handles the calling for you and notifies you when an agent is available. Saved me hours of frustration.

Interesting, never heard of that before. Might have to try it since I can never get through to Washington ESD either.

Really? That sounds too good to be true. How does it work exactly?

It basically monitors the phone lines and calls you back when an agent becomes available. Way better than sitting on hold for hours or getting the busy signal constantly.

I might need to check that out if I run into issues. Thanks for the tip!

Never heard of Claimyr but anything that helps get through to Washington ESD sounds good to me!

Thanks for the detailed explanation. I think I meet those requirements but will need to check with Washington ESD to be sure.

I don't have any kids so that won't apply to me, but good to know for others reading this.

Actually it's $32 per dependent child as of 2025, up to 5 dependents maximum.

ugh calling Washington ESD is the worst. I spent 3 hours on hold yesterday and got hung up on

That's exactly why I mentioned Claimyr - it cuts through the phone system hassle and gets you connected to an actual person.

Good point, I was planning to file tomorrow morning. Is there a best time to file online or does it matter?

Early morning or late evening when fewer people are on the system. The website gets bogged down during business hours.

Perfect, I'll do that right now. Thanks everyone for the help!

Make sure you have your pay stubs handy when you use the calculator. It'll ask for specific quarterly wage amounts.

Actually, Washington state still doesn't have a waiting week. That was permanently eliminated in 2021.

Oh good to know! I was worried I'd have to wait an extra week for my first payment.

Oh I didn't know that! I have two kids, so that might help. How much extra do you get for dependents?

I think it's like $32 per dependent up to 5 dependents, but don't quote me on that. You'd need to check with Washington ESD to confirm the current rates.

That's rough, sorry to hear that. Are you required to do job searches while on benefits?

yeah you have to do at least 3 job search activities per week and keep a log of them. its a pain but you gotta do it or they'll stop your benefits

Make sure you're documenting everything properly in WorkSourceWA. They can ask to see your job search log at any time during an audit.

Oh wow, I hadn't thought about that. Can you have taxes automatically withheld?

Yes, you can elect to have 10% federal taxes withheld when you file your weekly claims. There's a checkbox for it.

Wait, there's a waiting week? So I won't get anything for the first week I'm unemployed?

That's correct. The first week you're eligible is a non-payable waiting week. But you still need to file your weekly claim for that week.

Good to know, thanks for the heads up!

What counts as a job search activity? Just applying for jobs?

Job applications, networking events, career fairs, interviews, even updating your resume can count. You log them in your weekly claim.

I was in electronics manufacturing, specifically circuit board assembly. Hopefully there are similar positions available around here.

Electronics manufacturing is pretty specialized so you might have good luck with that skill set. Check WorkSourceWA for job postings in your field.

That's exactly why I ended up using Claimyr too. The phone situation with Washington ESD is ridiculous - you can call hundreds of times and never get through.

Yeah I might have to look into that Claimyr thing. I've been trying to call about an issue with my claim for weeks.

thats pretty good! are you having any issues with your weekly claims or is it going smooth?

Mostly smooth, though I had one week where my claim got held up for verification. Took about 5 days to clear.

You can work part-time but you have to report all earnings when you file your weekly claim. Washington ESD will reduce your benefit amount based on how much you earn, but there's usually a small earnings disregard.

Ok good to know. So I won't lose benefits completely if I work a little bit?

Right, as long as you report the earnings honestly when you file your weekly claim. Just don't try to hide any income or you could face an overpayment or fraud investigation.

Yeah the online tools seem pretty unreliable. How long did it take you to get through when you called?

forever!!! probably called 50 times over 2 weeks before I got through. the phone system is terrible

That's exactly why I ended up using Claimyr. Couldn't deal with calling over and over again just to get a busy signal.

That's good to know. Hopefully I won't need anywhere near 26 weeks but it's reassuring to know it's there if needed.

Exactly. Most people find work within 12-16 weeks but it's nice to have that safety net.

Yes, all wages including overtime count toward your benefit calculation. So if you worked a lot of overtime, that would increase your weekly benefit amount.

awesome, that should help my benefit amount then since i was putting in 50-60 hour weeks for most of last year

Washington state doesn't provide additional benefits for dependents. Your weekly benefit amount is the same regardless of family size.

bummer, that would have helped a lot

That's so frustrating! Have you tried reaching out to your local legislator's office? Sometimes they can help with Washington ESD issues.

You might want to try Claimyr to get through to someone who can actually help resolve your adjudication issues. It's specifically designed for situations like yours.

This is super helpful! So if my highest quarter was $13,000, that would be $13,000 ÷ 26 = $500, then $500 × 0.6 = $300 per week?

Exactly! Though keep in mind this is a simplified calculation. There might be other factors that affect your actual benefit amount.

wait why divide by 26? I thought there were only 13 weeks in a quarter

Because they're calculating your average weekly wage over 26 weeks (2 quarters). It's part of how they standardize the calculation across different earning patterns.

Oh no, what does adjudication mean? Should I be worried about that happening to me?

Adjudication happens when there's something on your claim that needs to be reviewed manually, like if there are questions about why you left your job or if there are wage discrepancies. It's not uncommon but can cause delays.

This is exactly why I mentioned Claimyr earlier. When my claim got stuck in adjudication, I used their service to actually talk to someone at Washington ESD and get it resolved faster.

How would I check that? I did work a second part-time job for a few months last year.

You can check your wage history on the Washington ESD website once you create your account. If something looks wrong, you'll need to contact them to get it corrected.

Good point! I should start gathering that info now just in case. Do they verify everything with employers?

Yes they send forms to your employers to confirm the information you provided. That's why it's important to be completely accurate when filing your initial claim.

Yes, Washington ESD will reduce your weekly benefit if you earn more than your weekly benefit amount minus $5. So if you get $600/week, you can earn up to $595 without any reduction.

Got it, so anything over that threshold gets deducted dollar for dollar from my unemployment payment?

Exactly. And you have to report all earnings on your weekly claim, even if it's just $20 from a side gig.

I did get a small severance - only like $800 though. Will that delay my benefits?

It might delay them by a week or two depending on how much you received. You'll need to report it when you file your initial claim.

It's the first 4 quarters of the last 5 complete quarters before you filed your claim. So if you filed in January 2025, your base period would be October 2023 through September 2024.

That seems like really old wages! What if I was making more money recently?

You can request to use the alternate base period if your regular base period doesn't qualify you or gives you a lower benefit amount.

What counts as a job search activity? Just applying for jobs?

Applying for jobs, networking contacts, attending job fairs, working with WorkSource - there's a list on the Washington ESD website of what qualifies.

Yes, unemployment benefits are taxable income. You can have taxes withheld from your weekly payments or pay quarterly estimated taxes.

How do I set up the tax withholding? Is that something I do when I file my initial claim?

You can set it up online in your Washington ESD account or by calling them. They'll withhold 10% federal and 4% state if you elect to do it.

Exactly. Most people get somewhere in the $300-600 range depending on their wages. The formula is designed to replace about 50% of your average weekly wage.

Yeah and that's before taxes too. I elected to have taxes withheld from mine to avoid a big bill later.

You can earn up to your weekly benefit amount before it starts reducing your payment dollar for dollar. Anything over that gets deducted from your benefit.

That's good to know. I was thinking about picking up some gig work to help make ends meet.

I used Claimyr last month when I had an adjudication issue. Way better than trying to call directly. Actually got through to someone who could help.

Thanks, I'll definitely look into that. This phone situation is ridiculous.

Filing is pretty straightforward on their website. Just make sure you have all your employer information and wage details ready.

Cool, I'll gather everything up and file this weekend. Thanks for all the info everyone!

Seriously? That's going to be tough with bills coming due.

Yeah, plan accordingly. The first payment includes back pay for eligible weeks, but the timing can be rough if you're not prepared.

Good point. I'll make sure to do that when I file.

You can set up direct deposit during the initial claim process or add it later through your online account.

Tell me about it. I've had to clear my browser cache like 10 times just to file my weekly claims. Their IT department needs some serious help.

At least we're getting paid though. Could be worse I suppose.

Thanks for the tip. I'll make sure to stay organized from the start.

Trust me, it'll save you headaches later if any issues come up with your claim.

Thanks everyone! This has been incredibly helpful. I feel much more prepared now to file my claim and know what to expect.

I'm planning to file on Sunday which is the start of the week. Does that help with timing?

Sunday is good because that's when the new benefit week starts. You'll be able to claim that full week when you file your first weekly claim.

What kind of records do they want? Just company names and dates?

Company name, contact person if you have one, date of contact, method of contact, and position applied for. You can do it online through their eServices portal.

Good advice. I'll definitely double-check the amount when I get my monetary determination letter.

Good luck getting through on the phone though. That's been my biggest challenge so far.

That's useful to know. What's the limit before they cut off benefits completely?

I think you can earn up to 1.5 times your weekly benefit amount before you lose eligibility for that week. But you need to report all earnings when you file your weekly claim.

Definitely planning to be completely honest. I have all my pay stubs and tax documents ready to reference.

That's smart. Having documentation ready will make the process much smoother.

That's encouraging to hear. I'm hoping for a similar experience.

you'll be fine. the system works, it's just slow sometimes. hang in there!

Great tip, I'll definitely set up direct deposit. Thanks for all the helpful advice everyone!

You're welcome! Hope everything goes smoothly with your claim.

That's a great perspective. I was thinking about taking some online courses while I'm job searching.

That's a perfect use of the time. Many online courses can count toward your job search activities too.

Thanks so much! This thread has been incredibly helpful. I feel much more prepared to file my claim now.

That's what we're here for. Don't hesitate to come back if you have more questions during the process.

How much would you need to earn to get the maximum benefit?

I think you'd need to earn around $2,600 per week or about $135,000 annually to qualify for the maximum weekly benefit amount.

wow thats a lot! most people probably dont make that much so they wouldnt get anywhere close to the max

Contract work usually doesn't count toward your unemployment benefits unless you were misclassified and should have been an employee. Independent contractor income typically isn't covered by unemployment insurance.

Ugh that's what I was afraid of. So all those months of contract work won't help my benefit calculation at all?

Unfortunately no, unless you can prove you were actually an employee who was misclassified. That would require documentation and possibly an appeal process.

Oh I didn't realize there was a difference! So there's a limit to how much total unemployment you can collect?

Yes, your maximum benefit amount is usually 26 times your weekly benefit amount. So if you get $400 per week, your maximum would be $10,400 total.

and if you dont find a job within 26 weeks you just run out of benefits? thats scary

That's the standard program, though sometimes extended benefits are available during high unemployment periods. But you can't count on extensions being available.

I totally agree! The whole thing is unnecessarily complex. Other states seem to have simpler systems.

its designed to be confusing so fewer people apply probably. same with all the job search requirements and weekly filing - just obstacles to make it harder

While the system could be clearer, the complexity exists because they're trying to be fair to people with different work histories and earnings patterns. A simple flat rate wouldn't work for everyone.

Ok I keep seeing Claimyr mentioned. Is it worth trying? I'm getting really frustrated with not being able to reach anyone at Washington ESD.

Definitely worth it if you value your time. I probably would have spent days trying to get through otherwise. The agent was able to explain exactly how my benefit amount was calculated.

What's standby status? Is that different from regular unemployment benefits?

Standby is when you're temporarily laid off but expect to be called back to work within a specific timeframe. You don't have to do job searches but you have to be available to return to work immediately when called.

yeah and the benefit amount calculation is the same as regular UI but the requirements are different. you cant turn down other work offers though even if youre on standby

Nice! That gives me hope that mine might be decent too. How long did the whole process take from filing to getting your first payment?

Filed on a Monday, got approved the following Friday, and received my first payment about a week after that. Pretty smooth process once I got through the initial application.

thats way faster than my experience. took me almost a month to get approved and another 2 weeks for payment. guess it depends on your situation

That's actually really helpful to know! I was worried because I took a lower paying job recently, but I made good money at my previous job within the last year.

Exactly! The base period calculation is designed to capture your overall earnings pattern, not just your most recent employment. That's why it's worth applying even if your current job doesn't pay much.

Yes, unemployment benefits are taxable income. You can choose to have 10% federal tax withheld when you file your weekly claims, or you can pay the taxes when you file your return.

Thanks! I think I'll have them withhold taxes so I don't get hit with a huge bill later.

good idea. learned that the hard way when I got a big tax bill after my first time on unemployment. definitely recommend having taxes withheld

I'd definitely recommend Claimyr if you're having trouble getting through. I was skeptical at first but it really works. Saved me so much time and frustration.

Ok you've convinced me. Going to check out their website now. Thanks for the recommendation!

Same boat here! The phone system is completely useless and the online messaging system takes forever to get a response.

This is exactly the kind of situation where Claimyr really helps. Instead of spending hours trying to get through, it connects you directly with an agent who can explain what's holding up your claim.

I'll check out that Claimyr thing. At this point I'm willing to try anything to get some answers from Washington ESD.

What's standby? I haven't heard of that option.

its for people who expect to be called back to work within 6 weeks. like if you got laid off but your employer said theyll probably call you back when business picks up

That actually sounds about right for your income level. Remember it's based on your highest quarter, not your annual salary. If your income was spread evenly, your highest quarter would be around $12,000.

I guess that makes sense. I was hoping for more but $492 is better than nothing.

You can request a redetermination if you think there's an error. You'll need to provide wage documentation to support your claim.

How long does a redetermination usually take? I don't want to delay my current payments.

It shouldn't stop your current payments, but it can take several weeks to process. The sooner you file it, the better.

Good advice! I have most of my recent pay stubs but I'll need to track down some older ones.

You'd need to earn at least $25,974 in your highest quarter to get the maximum benefit. That's about $103,896 annually if evenly distributed.

Yeah, that's way more than I make. I'll be happy with whatever I can get.

Is that separate from the Washington ESD website? This is all so confusing.

Yes, WorkSourceWA is a different website but you're required to register there as part of your job search activities. It's all connected to your unemployment claim.

Regular unemployment is 26 weeks maximum. During the pandemic there were extended benefits that went much longer, but those ended in 2021. Your friend might be thinking of the old pandemic programs.

That makes sense. 26 weeks should be enough time to find something new hopefully.

Same here! I feel much more confident about filing my claim now.

This community is great for getting real answers about unemployment. Way better than trying to navigate the bureaucracy alone.