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

That's way more than I expected! So if I made around $15,000 in my highest quarter, I'd get roughly $350-400 per week?

Actually closer to $575-600 weekly with those numbers. The formula is more generous than most people think.

Good point about the job search stuff. How many applications do they require per week now?

It's 3 job contacts per week, but they can be applications, networking, interviews, etc. Just keep good records in WorkSourceWA.

Oh no, that sounds awful. Did you eventually get it resolved?

Yeah but only after I found this service called Claimyr that helps you get through to ESD agents. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that explains how it works. Saved me so much frustration.

I've been pretty steady with this employer for 3 years, so hopefully that won't be an issue for me.

You should be fine then. Steady employment history usually results in higher benefit amounts.

Washington has one of the higher maximum benefits in the country. It gets adjusted annually based on the state's average wages.

Yeah but remember you pay taxes on unemployment benefits too, so it's not like getting $999 cash in hand.

If everything goes smoothly, about 2-3 weeks from when you file. But if your claim needs adjudication for any reason, it can take much longer.

What would cause adjudication? I'm worried I'll mess something up on the application.

Common reasons include voluntary quit vs layoff questions, availability issues, or if they need to verify your wages with employers. Just be honest and thorough when filling out your application.

You can work part-time and still collect, but your benefits get reduced based on how much you earn. Washington ESD has a formula where they subtract your earnings from your weekly benefit amount after allowing for a small earnings disregard.

Thanks, I'll look into the exact rules on their website. Don't want to accidentally create an overpayment situation.

That's exactly why I mentioned Claimyr earlier - they specialize in helping people connect with ESD agents when the normal phone lines are jammed. Worth checking out if you need to speak with someone.

I'll definitely look into that if I run into problems. The phone situation is ridiculous.

Good idea, I'll try that to get a better sense of what to expect.

Just remember the calculators are estimates. Your actual amount might vary slightly based on the exact quarters they use for calculation.

Oh I didn't know about the waiting week. So even if approved immediately, there's still a delay?

Exactly. You file for that first week but don't get paid for it. It's just how the system works.

That's encouraging to hear! Did you have any issues with the job search requirements while being selective?

Not really, as long as you're applying to legitimate positions and documenting everything properly. The 3 contacts per week requirement isn't too hard to meet.

Can you choose whether to have taxes taken out or not?

Yes, it's optional during the application process. You can choose 10% federal withholding and/or state taxes. Many people opt for withholding to avoid a big tax bill later.

I totally understand your frustration. That's exactly the situation where Claimyr really helps - they can get you connected to an actual ESD agent who can check on your adjudication status and hopefully move things along.

At this point I'm willing to try anything. I'll check out that service you mentioned.

I think I'm getting 2 weeks severance. Will that delay my benefits?

Possibly, depends on whether it's paid as salary continuation or lump sum. You'll need to report it when you file and they'll tell you how it affects your claim timing.

Same here! I was really worried about how I'd pay my mortgage but this gives me some peace of mind.

exactly! still not ideal obviously but at least we're in a state with decent benefits

Investment income and retirement withdrawals don't count as wages for unemployment purposes, so they shouldn't affect your weekly benefit amount. But definitely report everything honestly when you file.

Good to know, thanks. I was worried I'd have to choose between accessing my retirement funds and getting unemployment.

Interesting, I didn't realize it was locked in for a full year.

Yeah, it's based on your wages from when you first established the claim. The benefit year runs for 52 weeks from when you first file.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful info! I feel much more prepared now for when the layoffs happen.

Good luck with everything! Hope the transition goes smoothly for you.