How much money does unemployment give in Washington ESD weekly benefits?

That's helpful! So it's based on quarterly earnings not annual salary. I'll have to look at my pay stubs to figure out my highest quarter.

Don't forget there's a maximum weekly benefit amount too - I think it's around $929 per week in 2025 but you should double check that on the Washington ESD website.

So if I file in January 2025, my base period would be January 2024 through December 2024?

Not exactly - it would be October 2023 through September 2024. The base period doesn't include the most recent quarter because employers need time to report wages to Washington ESD.

I had the same problem until I found Claimyr. It's a service that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents. They have this system that calls for you and gets you connected. Check out claimyr.com - they even have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works.

That sounds too good to be true. Is it legit? I'm desperate at this point but don't want to get scammed.

It's totally legit! I used it last month when I needed to talk to someone about my adjudication. They got me through in about 20 minutes instead of the usual hours of trying.

That's a huge difference! I guess I really need to look at my earnings history to get an idea.

What happens if you don't meet those requirements? Can you still get benefits?

If you don't meet the regular requirements, Washington ESD will check if you qualify using an alternate base period. That uses the most recent four quarters instead of the standard base period.

That's close to what I might expect then since our salaries were similar. Did you have any issues with the application process?

Not really, just took a while to get approved. Make sure you have all your employment information ready when you file.

I understand the frustration. The calculation seems complex but it's actually pretty standard across most states. Washington ESD has to verify your wage history with employers before they can give you an exact amount.

yeah the whole system is a mess. took me forever to get my first payment too

Good point! I hadn't thought about the tax implications. Is it better to have them withhold taxes or pay later?

That depends on your situation. If you think you'll owe taxes at the end of the year, it might be easier to have them withhold 10% from each payment.

Same here! I keep getting the busy signal or getting disconnected. Someone mentioned Claimyr earlier - has anyone actually used it successfully?

I used Claimyr two weeks ago when I needed help with my weekly claim. It actually worked - they got me connected to a real person at Washington ESD in about 15 minutes. Worth checking out if you're stuck.

This is exactly what I needed to know! So if my highest quarter was $15,000, I'd get about $577 per week?

That's correct! $15,000 × 0.0385 = $577.50 per week, assuming you meet all other eligibility requirements.

How many job searches do you have to do each week?

i think its 3 per week but check the washington esd website to be sure

That sounds about right. Just remember it's temporary - you can collect for up to 26 weeks in Washington if you keep meeting the requirements.

I looked for a calculator but couldn't find one on their site. Do you have a direct link?

I can't find it now either - they might have moved it or taken it down. That's frustrating because it was really helpful.

Wait, so there's a delay before the first payment? How long does it typically take?

The waiting week is the first week you file. You won't get paid for that week, but if you're eligible, you'll start getting payments for the following weeks.

How much does it cost though? I'm already tight on money.

They have different options but honestly the time and stress it saves is worth it. You can check their website for current info - claimyr.com.