How much unemployment can I get from Washington ESD - need to know benefit amounts

Washington ESD uses your highest earning quarter from your base period to calculate benefits. They take that quarter's earnings and divide by 26 to get your weekly benefit amount. The maximum weekly benefit for 2025 is $999, and you can receive up to 26 weeks of regular UI benefits.

Thanks! So if my highest quarter was around $15,000, I'd get about $577 per week? That's actually better than I expected.

Exactly right on the calculation. Just make sure you meet the minimum earnings requirement in your base period too - you need at least $3,719 total.

ugh the whole process of even finding out your benefit amount is such a pain. I spent HOURS on the phone trying to get through to someone at Washington ESD just to ask basic questions about my claim

I had the same problem! Kept getting hung up on after waiting forever. Actually found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helps you get through to ESD agents. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works.

Never heard of that but honestly anything is better than sitting on hold for 3 hours just to get disconnected

Is that legit? Seems too good to be true that there's actually a way to avoid the phone nightmare

Your base period is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file. So if you file in February 2025, your base period would be October 2023 through September 2024. They look at all four quarters but use the highest one for the calculation.

wait so they don't use your most recent earnings? that seems backwards

Right, there's a lag built into the system. If your recent earnings were higher, you might qualify for alternate base period which uses the most recent four quarters.

I qualified for $743 a week when I got laid off last year. Was making about $65k salary. The amount really depends on how your earnings were distributed across quarters.

That's helpful to know! Did you have any issues with the job search requirements while collecting?

Yeah you have to do 3 job search activities per week and log them in WorkSourceWA. It's tedious but not too bad once you get in the routine.

The system is SO confusing. I still don't understand why they can't just tell you upfront what you'll get instead of making you file first and then wait to find out

You can actually estimate it yourself if you know your quarterly earnings. Just divide your highest quarter by 26. The exact amount gets calculated when they process your initial claim.

or you could try calling but good luck with that lol

Does anyone know if bonuses count toward your quarterly earnings? I got a big year-end bonus that would bump up my highest quarter significantly

Yes, bonuses count as wages for the quarter they were paid, not when they were earned. So if you got a 2024 bonus paid in January 2025, it would count toward Q1 2025.

Perfect! That should put me close to the maximum weekly amount then.

just a heads up - even after you figure out your benefit amount, actually getting paid can take forever if your claim goes into adjudication. Mine was stuck for 6 weeks

Oh no, what causes adjudication? I want to avoid that if possible.

Could be anything - they might want to verify your employment dates, reason for separation, or if you're able and available for work. Sometimes it's random.

That's exactly when Claimyr helped me out. I couldn't get through to find out why my claim was in adjudication, but they got me connected to an actual person who explained what documentation I needed to submit.

the max is $999/week but most people don't get that unless they were making serious money. I think the average is somewhere around $400-500

That sounds about right. The maximum requires earnings of about $25,974 in your highest quarter, which translates to roughly $104k annually if evenly distributed.

Don't forget you have to pay taxes on unemployment benefits too. They don't automatically withhold federal taxes unless you request it

Good point! I forgot unemployment income is taxable. Better to have them withhold 10% so I don't get hit with a big tax bill later.

Yeah learned that the hard way. Owed like $2800 in taxes on my unemployment from 2024.

The monetary determination letter they send you breaks down exactly how they calculated your benefit amount. Keep that letter - you'll need it if you ever have to appeal anything

How long does it take to get that letter? I filed last week and haven't heard anything yet.

Usually 7-10 business days if there are no issues with your claim. If it takes longer, there might be something that needs to be verified.

One thing that confused me was the partial benefits calculation. If you work part-time while collecting, they reduce your weekly benefit but you can still get something

Right, they subtract your weekly earnings minus $5, then subtract 75% of the remainder from your weekly benefit amount. So there's always an incentive to work.

That math is confusing but good to know you don't lose everything if you pick up some part-time work.

Has anyone dealt with the standby status? My employer said I might be eligible for that instead of regular unemployment

Standby is for temporary layoffs when you expect to return to the same employer within 4 weeks. The benefit calculation is the same as regular UI, but you don't have to do job search activities.

That would be perfect since we're supposed to reopen in March. Do I still file the same way?

Yes, same initial application process. Your employer has to provide a recall date for you to qualify for standby status.

the washington esd website has a benefit calculator but honestly it's pretty basic. doesn't account for all the nuances

I tried that calculator but got confused about which quarters to use. The instructions weren't very clear.

Another tip - if you think your benefit amount is wrong, you can appeal the monetary determination. I had a friend who got an extra $100/week after appealing because they missed some of his earnings

How do you appeal? Is it complicated?

You have 30 days from the determination date to file an appeal. There's a form on the ESD website, but honestly calling them is probably faster if you can get through.

Getting through is the key phrase there lol. That's why I keep recommending Claimyr - takes the phone frustration out of the equation when you need to actually talk to someone at ESD.

Just remember that unemployment is meant to replace about 50% of your wages, so don't expect to maintain your full lifestyle. Budget accordingly!

Good reality check. I should probably start looking at my expenses now just in case.

The 26 weeks goes by faster than you think. Start job searching immediately even if you think you might get called back to your old job

This is so true. I thought I had plenty of time and then suddenly I was down to 4 weeks left with no solid leads.

Thanks for the advice. I'm hoping I won't need to file at all, but better to be prepared.

if you do end up filing make sure all your employer info is exactly right. any mistakes can delay your claim for weeks

Yes! Double-check dates of employment, reason for separation, and wage information. Even small discrepancies can trigger adjudication.

I've been through this process twice and the second time was much smoother because I knew what to expect. The first time I was totally lost and stressed about everything

What would you say was the most important thing you learned the first time around?

Keep detailed records of everything - when you filed, what documents you submitted, all your job search activities. Makes everything easier if questions come up later.

The whole system is designed to be confusing IMO. They make it hard on purpose so fewer people will successfully claim benefits

probably some truth to that. the phone system alone is enough to make people give up

While the system has issues, it's worth persisting through the process if you're eligible. These benefits exist for a reason and you paid into the system through your wages.

Don't forget about the waiting week! Your first week of unemployment doesn't get paid, it's just used to establish your claim

Wait, so if I file this week I won't get paid for this week even if I'm approved?

Exactly. Week 1 is your waiting week, you start getting paid from week 2 if your claim is approved.