How much unemployment benefits can I get from Washington ESD - confused about weekly amounts

Washington ESD calculates your weekly benefit amount (WBA) based on your highest earning quarter from your base period. Generally it's about 3.85% of your total wages in that quarter, but there's a maximum cap. For 2025, the maximum weekly benefit is around $999.

Thanks! So if my highest quarter was like $15,000, that would be about $577 per week? That seems higher than I expected.

Yes, that sounds about right. Just remember you'll need to file your weekly claims every week and meet the job search requirements to keep getting benefits.

the formula is confusing but basically they take your best quarter and divide by 13 then multiply by 0.5 or something like that. i think theres also a minimum amount too

That's not quite right. It's actually 3.85% of your highest quarter wages, not divided by 13. The minimum for 2025 is $295 per week.

oh ok thanks for the correction, i was thinking of something else

I had the same question when I filed last month! Took forever to get through to Washington ESD to ask about my benefit amount calculation. The phone system is brutal - kept getting hung up on after waiting 45 minutes multiple times.

Ugh that's exactly what I'm worried about. Did you eventually get through to someone?

Yeah but it took like 6 tries over two weeks. Someone told me about this service called Claimyr that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents faster. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo that explains how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ

Never heard of that but honestly anything that helps with the phone situation sounds worth trying

Your benefit amount depends on when you worked and how much you earned during your base period. Washington ESD looks at the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you filed. So if you filed in January 2025, they'd look at Jan-Sep 2024.

That makes sense. I think my highest quarter was probably Q3 2024 when I had some overtime hours.

Wait so they don't count the most recent quarter? That seems weird

Right, there's a lag because employers need time to report wages. That's why the most recent quarter usually isn't included in the base period calculation.

THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO CONFUSE PEOPLE! I've been trying to figure out my benefit amount for weeks and every Washington ESD person I talk to gives me different information. It's like they don't want us to know what we're entitled to.

I understand the frustration, but the calculation is actually pretty standardized. Sometimes different agents explain it differently though.

Well it shouldn't be this hard to get a straight answer about MY OWN benefits

same boat here, filed 3 weeks ago and still dont know my exact amount. the letter they sent was confusing

Did you get a monetary determination letter? I'm still waiting for mine.

yeah but it had all these numbers and quarters listed, couldnt make sense of it

For anyone still confused about the calculation, here's the breakdown: Washington ESD takes your highest quarter wages from your base period, multiplies by 0.0385 (3.85%), and that's your weekly amount. But it can't exceed the maximum ($999 for 2025) or be below the minimum ($295).

This is super helpful, thank you! I wish Washington ESD explained it this clearly on their website.

So with my $15,000 highest quarter, I'd get $577.50 per week. That actually helps a lot with planning my budget.

Don't forget you still need to do your weekly claims and job search activities to actually receive the money each week!

I used Claimyr to get through to Washington ESD about my benefit calculation and it was honestly a game changer. Instead of calling 20 times and getting hung up on, I got connected to an agent in like 10 minutes. They explained exactly how my amount was calculated.

Really? That service someone mentioned earlier actually works?

Yeah, I was skeptical too but it really helped me avoid the phone tree nightmare. Worth checking out if you need to talk to someone at Washington ESD.

Might have to try this, I've been calling for days about my claim status

Question about the base period - what if I had a job change right before I got laid off? Do they count wages from both employers?

Yes, they count all wages from all employers during your base period. Washington ESD gets wage reports from all your employers automatically.

Good to know, thanks! I was worried they might miss the wages from my previous job.

honestly the calculation doesnt matter much if you cant get approved in the first place lol. been in adjudication for a month

Oh no, what's your adjudication about? I hope mine doesn't get stuck like that.

something about my reason for leaving my last job, they want more documentation

That's another good reason to use something like Claimyr to actually talk to someone at Washington ESD about your case status

The monetary determination letter should show your weekly benefit amount clearly. If you haven't gotten yours yet, it usually comes within 7-10 days of filing your initial claim.

I filed two weeks ago and still haven't gotten that letter. Should I be worried?

Maybe check your online account on the Washington ESD website first. Sometimes the letter gets delayed in the mail but the info shows up online sooner.

This thread is so helpful! I was about to file and had no idea how much I might get. Sounds like with my salary I'd probably get close to the maximum.

Just remember the maximum is based on your actual wages, not your salary. If you were making over $100k annually, you'd likely hit the $999 weekly maximum.

Makes sense, I'll have to calculate based on my actual quarterly wages not just annual salary

Word of warning - even after you know your weekly amount, actually getting your payments can be delayed if there are any issues with your claim. File your weekly claims on time every week!

Good point, I need to set up reminders for the weekly filing. What day of the week do you typically file?

I usually file on Sundays for the previous week. The system is less busy then and processes faster.

Back to the original question - @OP your $52k salary probably puts you around $600-700 per week in benefits depending on how it was distributed across quarters. Not bad for temporary support while job hunting.

Yeah that's actually better than I was expecting. Should help cover most of my monthly expenses while I look for a new job.

Just don't get too comfortable - the job search requirements are pretty strict now. You need to document everything!

One more tip about benefit amounts - they're taxable income so you might want to have taxes withheld or set aside money for tax season. Learned that the hard way last year!

Oh wow I didn't think about taxes. Can you have them withhold taxes automatically?

Yes, there's an option when you file your weekly claims to have 10% withheld for federal taxes. Definitely recommend it.

Good advice, dealing with a big tax bill later is worse than getting slightly less each week