How much of salary is unemployment benefits in Washington - what percentage do you actually get?

So it's not just a straight percentage of what I'm making now? That's confusing. How do I figure out what my highest quarter was?

You can look at your pay stubs from the past 15 months to find your highest earning quarter. Washington ESD will calculate it for you when you file, but it helps to have an estimate beforehand.

That seems really low compared to what I'm making now. Is there any way to get more?

Nope, that's the maximum the state will pay. It's designed to be temporary assistance, not full salary replacement.

I had the same problem until I found Claimyr - it's a service that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents. Check out claimyr.com, they have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows exactly how it works.

Never heard of that before. Does it actually work or is it just another scam?

It's legit - they basically handle the calling and waiting for you so you don't have to sit on hold. I used it to get my benefit calculation explained and it saved me tons of time.

47% seems really specific - where did you get that number from?

That's the national average I read somewhere. Washington might be different but it's in that ballpark.

Wait, I have to pay taxes on unemployment? That makes the amount even lower!

Yes, unemployment is taxable income. You can choose to have 10% withheld when you file your weekly claims, or you can pay it when you file your tax return.

That sounds about right if your wages were consistent. The key is finding your highest earning quarter in the base year period.

What exactly is the base year period? I got a big bonus last year that might affect the calculation.

Base year is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file. So if you file in 2025, it would be quarters from 2023-2024.

I tried that calculator and it gave me a weird range. Not very helpful.

The online calculator is just an estimate. The actual calculation happens when you file and they verify all your wage information with employers.

Really? I worked in Oregon for part of last year before moving to Washington. How does that work?

You can file in the state where your wages would give you the highest benefit amount. But it gets complicated with different state rules.

Because then people would game the system by getting big raises right before filing. Using historical wages prevents that.

I guess that makes sense, but it's still unnecessarily complicated.

How many jobs do you have to apply for each week?

I think it's 3 job search activities per week, but they can be different things like networking events or job fairs, not just applications.

What qualifies as standby status? My company said layoffs might be temporary but didn't give any timeline.

Standby is when your employer gives you a specific return date within 4 weeks. If it's indefinite, you'd file regular unemployment.

How much does that service cost? Seems like something that should be free.

They handle all the calling frustration for you. When you consider the time saved not sitting on hold for hours, it's worth it.

How much extra do you get for dependents?

I think it's around $25 per dependent child per week, but there's a limit on how many dependents count.

26 weeks seems like a long time but it goes by fast when you're job hunting.

Exactly. Start looking for work immediately even if you think you'll find something quickly.

What if you quit for good cause, like unsafe working conditions?

There are exceptions for good cause, but you'd need to prove it. Most voluntary quits don't qualify.

I understand that, but it's still stressful not knowing exactly what to expect financially.

Absolutely. The uncertainty is the worst part. At least now you have a better idea of how the calculation works.

I might try that. Been trying to call for two weeks about my claim status.

Yeah, the phone lines are impossible. This at least gets you connected to an actual person who can help.

Good luck with your job situation! Hopefully the layoffs don't happen.

Thanks! This has definitely helped me understand what to expect if the worst happens.

Good to know. When do you have to certify each week?

Sunday through Saturday is the benefit week, and you have to certify by the following Saturday night. Don't wait until the last minute.

Same here. Lots of good information from people who've actually been through the process.

Agreed! Much more helpful than the confusing government websites.

This is really helpful advice! I hadn't thought about gathering my pay stubs ahead of time to figure out my highest quarter. That's smart planning. The half-income reality is definitely scary to think about, especially with rent and other fixed expenses. Did you find it challenging to adjust your budget when you were on unemployment? Any tips for stretching those benefits?