How much money can you get for unemployment Washington ESD weekly benefit amounts

Thanks! So if I made $13,000 in my highest quarter that would be about $250 per week?

That sounds about right, but Washington ESD has a complex formula. You'd need to look at all four quarters in your base period to be sure.

Did they tell you exactly how they calculated that amount? I'm curious about the formula they use.

Not really, just said it was based on my wage history. The determination letter shows the quarterly wages but not the actual math.

How much does that cost? I'm already worried about money if I lose my job.

It's worth it when you need to actually talk to someone at Washington ESD. Way better than spending all day redialing their main number.

So they don't use your most recent pay stubs? That seems weird.

Nope, they use completed quarters only. So if you file in March 2025, they'd look at Oct-Dec 2024, Jul-Sep 2024, Apr-Jun 2024, and Jan-Mar 2024.

This is why some people wait to file depending on when their highest earning quarters were.

The best way is to actually file a claim. You'll get an exact determination letter within a few days showing your weekly benefit amount.

but what if i'm not ready to file yet? just want to know what to expect

Good point, I forgot about that part. Do they actually check those job search logs?

They can audit you randomly or if something seems suspicious. Better to keep good records from the start.

That's really helpful to know! Did you have any issues with adjudication or was it pretty straightforward?

No adjudication issues, just the normal processing time. Make sure you have all your employer info ready when you file.

They count all wages reported to Washington ESD from any employer during your base period. So yes, multiple jobs would all be included.

That's good to know, I had a part-time job last year in addition to my main job.

The $999 is the gross amount before taxes. You can choose to have federal taxes withheld or pay them later when you file your tax return.

Thanks, I'll probably have them withhold taxes to avoid a big bill next year.

If you really want to understand the calculation, calling Washington ESD directly is your best bet. That's where Claimyr helped me - got connected to an agent who explained my determination letter line by line.

might have to try that, the online account doesn't show the breakdown at all

So if I got a raise before getting laid off, that wouldn't affect my current claim?

Correct, only wages from your established base period count for that benefit year.

Is there a minimum amount of wages you need to have earned to qualify?

Yes, you need wages in at least two quarters of your base period and total wages of at least 680 hours at minimum wage during the base period.

This is true but risky advice. You can't get benefits for weeks you don't file, so delaying could cost you money overall.

yeah good point, depends on your specific situation

How does that calculation work? Do they just subtract your weekly earnings from your benefit amount?

It's more complex than that. They have a formula that allows you to earn a certain amount before your benefits start getting reduced.

That's exactly why I used Claimyr. Instead of spending days trying to get through their phone system, I got connected to an agent who answered all my questions about my benefit amount and how it was calculated.

I might have to look into that, this is so frustrating

Yes, all wages reported to Washington ESD count, including bonuses and overtime. As long as your employer reported it, it should be in your wage record.

Perfect, that should help my weekly benefit amount then!

Yeah, that's what I'm figuring out. At $52k annually, I'd probably get around $500-600 per week max.

That sounds about right for your income level. It's enough to help with basic expenses while you job search.

How does the weekly certification work? Is it just online?

Yes, you log into your Washington ESD account every week and answer questions about your job search activities and any work you did that week.

That's reassuring! I was worried it wouldn't be enough to cover my mortgage and bills.

It helps, but definitely start your job search right away. 26 weeks goes by faster than you think.

Great advice, I'll start gathering those documents now just in case. Thanks everyone for all the helpful info!

No problem! Good luck with everything, hopefully you won't need to file at all.