How much of your check do you get on unemployment in Washington?
I'm trying to figure out what to expect if I have to file for unemployment benefits through Washington ESD. My gross weekly pay is around $1,200 but I'm not sure how they calculate the weekly benefit amount. Does anyone know what percentage of your regular paycheck you actually get? I've heard different things from coworkers and want to get accurate info before I potentially need to file a claim.
62 comments
Join the conversation
QuantumQuest
It's not a straight percentage of your weekly pay. Washington ESD uses your highest earning quarter from your base year to calculate your weekly benefit amount. Generally you get about 50-60% of your average weekly wage, but there's a maximum weekly benefit amount that caps it.
0 coins
Paolo Rizzo
•So they don't just look at my last paycheck? They go back further?
0 coins
QuantumQuest
•Right, they look at your earnings over the past 12-18 months depending on when you file. Your base year is the first four quarters of the last five completed quarters before you file your claim.
0 coins
Amina Sy
the max weekly benefit in washington is like $999 or something close to that. so even if you made $2000 a week you still only get the max amount
0 coins
Oliver Fischer
•Yeah I think it's $999 for 2025. I was making good money before I got laid off but still hit that ceiling.
0 coins
Paolo Rizzo
•Good to know there's a cap. At least I won't be disappointed expecting more than the maximum.
0 coins
Natasha Petrova
You can use the Washington ESD benefit calculator on their website to get an estimate. But from what I remember, it's roughly half your average weekly wage up to the maximum. If you're making $1,200 gross weekly, you'd probably get somewhere in the $500-600 range weekly, but don't quote me on that.
0 coins
Paolo Rizzo
•I'll definitely check out that calculator. $500-600 would actually help a lot with my basic expenses.
0 coins
Javier Morales
•Just remember that's before taxes if you choose to have them withheld. You can elect to have 10% federal tax taken out.
0 coins
Emma Davis
I had such a hard time getting through to Washington ESD to ask questions about my benefit calculation when I first filed. Spent hours on hold and kept getting disconnected. Finally found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get through to an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Made the whole process so much easier.
0 coins
GalaxyGlider
•Never heard of that service before. Did it actually work for you?
0 coins
Emma Davis
•Yeah it worked great. I was able to get answers about my weekly benefit amount and clear up some confusion about my base year earnings. Way better than trying to call repeatedly.
0 coins
Paolo Rizzo
•That's really helpful to know. I was dreading having to call if I need to file.
0 coins
Oliver Fischer
Washington ESD also factors in any other income you might have. If you're working part-time while collecting unemployment, they'll reduce your weekly benefit amount based on what you earn. There's a formula for that too.
0 coins
Paolo Rizzo
•What if I pick up some freelance work here and there? Do I have to report that?
0 coins
Oliver Fischer
•Yes, you have to report ALL income when you file your weekly claims. Even cash jobs or gig work. They're pretty strict about that.
0 coins
Javier Morales
The benefit amount also depends on how much you earned in your base year. If you haven't worked much or had low earnings, your weekly benefit will be lower. There's a minimum weekly benefit amount too, but it's pretty low.
0 coins
Malik Robinson
•What's the minimum? I had a few months where I wasn't working much last year.
0 coins
Javier Morales
•I think it's around $295 per week minimum for 2025, but you'd need to check the current rates on Washington ESD's website.
0 coins
Amina Sy
just to be clear the amount you get is based on your gross earnings not your take home pay. so if you made $1200 gross but only took home $900 after taxes and deductions, they calculate off the $1200
0 coins
Paolo Rizzo
•That makes sense. So they're looking at what I actually earned before anything gets taken out.
0 coins
QuantumQuest
•Exactly. It's based on your gross wages reported to Washington ESD by your employer through their tax filings.
0 coins
GalaxyGlider
Don't forget you also have to meet the job search requirements to keep getting benefits. You need to make at least 3 job search contacts per week and keep a log of your activities.
0 coins
Paolo Rizzo
•What counts as a job search contact? Just applying to jobs online?
0 coins
GalaxyGlider
•Job applications, contacting employers directly, attending job fairs, networking events, even some types of training can count. Check the Washington ESD website for the full list.
0 coins
Natasha Petrova
•You also need to register with WorkSource Washington and keep your profile updated there.
0 coins
Malik Robinson
I was surprised how quickly my first payment came after I filed. Washington ESD processed my claim pretty fast, maybe 2-3 weeks from filing to first payment.
0 coins
Paolo Rizzo
•That's reassuring. I was worried it would take months to see any money.
0 coins
Oliver Fischer
•It depends on if there are any issues with your claim. If everything is straightforward, it's usually pretty quick. But if they need to verify information or there's adjudication, it can take longer.
0 coins
QuantumQuest
One thing to keep in mind is that unemployment benefits are taxable income. You'll get a 1099-G at the end of the year and need to report it on your tax return. You can choose to have federal taxes withheld from your weekly payments or pay them later.
0 coins
Paolo Rizzo
•I think I'd rather have them withheld so I don't get hit with a big tax bill next year.
0 coins
Javier Morales
•That's probably smart. The withholding is 10% for federal taxes. No state tax in Washington obviously.
0 coins
Emma Davis
If you do end up needing to contact Washington ESD for any reason, I'd definitely recommend trying Claimyr again. I used it a second time when I had questions about my job search requirements and got through to someone right away. Much better than the regular phone system.
0 coins
Amina Sy
•how much does that service cost? sounds too good to be true
0 coins
Emma Davis
•It's definitely worth it for the time and frustration it saves. Way easier than dealing with busy signals and dropped calls all day.
0 coins
Natasha Petrova
The calculation can get complex if you have irregular earnings or work in multiple states. Washington ESD has specific rules for how they handle those situations. Best to use their online calculator or talk to someone directly if your situation is complicated.
0 coins
Paolo Rizzo
•Luckily my situation is pretty straightforward. Same job for the past 2 years with regular weekly pay.
0 coins
Natasha Petrova
•That should make it easy then. Your benefit amount will be fairly predictable based on your consistent earnings.
0 coins
Oliver Fischer
Also remember that you can collect unemployment benefits for up to 26 weeks in Washington, assuming you meet all the requirements and keep filing your weekly claims on time.
0 coins
Paolo Rizzo
•26 weeks should hopefully be enough time to find something new. That's about 6 months right?
0 coins
Oliver Fischer
•Yes, about 6 months. But you have to keep looking for work and meeting all the requirements the entire time.
0 coins
Javier Morales
The weekly benefit amount stays the same throughout your claim unless there are changes in your circumstances, like if you start working part-time or have other income to report.
0 coins
Paolo Rizzo
•Good to know it's consistent. Makes it easier to budget while I'm looking for work.
0 coins
QuantumQuest
•Just make sure you file your weekly claims every week even if you don't have any changes to report. Missing a week can cause delays.
0 coins
Malik Robinson
washington esd has been pretty good about processing claims lately. much better than during the pandemic when everything was backed up for months
0 coins
GalaxyGlider
•Yeah those were crazy times. I remember people waiting 8+ weeks just to get their first payment.
0 coins
Paolo Rizzo
•I'm glad the system is working better now. Hopefully I won't need it but good to know it's functioning.
0 coins
Natasha Petrova
One last tip - make sure all your employer information is accurate when you file your claim. Washington ESD will verify your earnings with your previous employers, and any discrepancies can delay your claim approval.
0 coins
Paolo Rizzo
•I'll double-check everything before submitting. Thanks for all the helpful info everyone!
0 coins
QuantumQuest
•You're welcome! Hope you don't need to file but at least you'll be prepared if you do.
0 coins
Amina Sy
good luck with everything. unemployment can be stressful but the benefits really do help bridge the gap while you're looking for new work
0 coins
Paolo Rizzo
•Thanks! It's reassuring to know there's a safety net if I need it.
0 coins
Oliver Fischer
•Exactly. That's what the system is there for. Just make sure you follow all the rules and requirements.
0 coins
Emma Davis
And seriously, if you do need to call Washington ESD for any reason, save yourself the headache and check out Claimyr. It made such a difference for me when I needed to get answers quickly.
0 coins
Paolo Rizzo
•I'll definitely keep that in mind. Thanks for the recommendation!
0 coins
Javier Morales
•Good to know there are options for getting through to them. The phone system can be really frustrating.
0 coins
GalaxyGlider
Hope this thread helped answer your question about benefit amounts. The main thing to remember is it's roughly 50% of your average weekly wage up to the maximum, calculated from your base year earnings.
0 coins
Paolo Rizzo
•Yes, this was exactly what I needed to know. Really appreciate everyone taking the time to explain everything.
0 coins
Natasha Petrova
•Happy to help. Good luck with whatever situation you're facing!
0 coins
QuantumQuest
Feel free to ask if you have any other questions about the unemployment process. This community is pretty good about sharing knowledge and experiences.
0 coins
Paolo Rizzo
•Will do! It's nice to know there are people willing to help navigate all this stuff.
0 coins
Malik Robinson
•That's what these forums are for. We've all been there at some point.
0 coins