How much unemployment do you get from Washington ESD - need to know benefit amount
I'm trying to figure out how much I'll get from Washington ESD unemployment benefits before I file. I was making $52,000 a year at my job ($1,000 per week) and got laid off last month. I've been putting off filing because I'm not sure if it's worth the hassle if the amount is too small. Does anyone know how they calculate the weekly benefit amount? I heard it's based on your highest quarters but I'm not sure what that means exactly.
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Elijah Brown
Washington ESD calculates your weekly benefit amount (WBA) using your highest earning quarter from your base period. For 2025, the maximum weekly benefit is around $999. If you were making $1,000/week consistently, you'd probably qualify for close to the maximum amount. The formula is roughly 3.85% of your highest quarter earnings divided by 13 weeks.
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Zoe Walker
•That sounds like it could be around $750-900 per week then? That would definitely be worth filing for. How long does it take to get approved?
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Elijah Brown
•Yes, likely in that range. Processing time varies but usually 2-3 weeks if there are no issues with your claim. Make sure to file as soon as possible since benefits don't backdate to when you lost your job, only to when you file.
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Maria Gonzalez
You should definitely file! I was making about the same and got $847 per week. The calculation is based on your base period which is usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters before you file. So if you file now, they'd look at your earnings from early 2024 through late 2024.
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Zoe Walker
•Good to know! I was worried it might only be like $300-400 per week. $847 would really help while I'm job searching.
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Natalie Chen
•Just remember you have to pay taxes on unemployment benefits, so set aside about 10-20% for taxes when you file next year.
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Santiago Martinez
File ASAP! I waited 3 weeks thinking about it and basically lost 3 weeks of benefits. The amount is calculated automatically when you file your initial claim online. You'll see your weekly benefit amount right in your account once it's processed.
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Zoe Walker
•That's exactly what I was worried about - losing time. I'll file tonight. Do I need any specific documents to file?
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Santiago Martinez
•You'll need your Social Security number, driver's license, and information about your employer (name, address, dates of employment). If you have your last paystub that helps too but isn't required.
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Samantha Johnson
When I filed, I had trouble getting through to Washington ESD to ask questions about my benefit amount. The phone lines are always busy. I ended up using this service called Claimyr that helps you get through to an actual agent. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Really helped me get my questions answered quickly.
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Zoe Walker
•Interesting, I'll check that out. The Washington ESD website is pretty confusing and I'd rather talk to someone to make sure I understand everything correctly.
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Nick Kravitz
•Is that legit? I'm always skeptical of third-party services for government stuff.
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Samantha Johnson
•Yeah it's legit - they just help you get connected to Washington ESD agents. You're still talking directly to Washington ESD staff, not Claimyr people. They just handle the calling part.
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Hannah White
The weekly benefit amount also determines how long you can collect. Most people get 26 weeks of benefits, but if you get a higher weekly amount, you might get fewer weeks since there's a maximum total benefit amount.
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Zoe Walker
•Wait, so if I get more per week, I get fewer weeks total? That doesn't seem right.
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Elijah Brown
•That's not quite accurate. In Washington, you get up to 26 weeks regardless of your weekly benefit amount, as long as you have enough earnings in your base period to qualify. The total benefit amount is 26 times your weekly benefit amount (or your total base period wages divided by 3, whichever is less).
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Michael Green
Just filed last week and got $782/week. The online calculator on the Washington ESD website is pretty accurate if you want to estimate before filing. You just need to know your quarterly earnings from your base period.
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Zoe Walker
•There's an online calculator? I didn't see that on their website.
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Michael Green
•It's buried in there somewhere. Honestly easier to just file and see what you get. The whole process only takes about 20 minutes online.
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Mateo Silva
One thing to keep in mind - you also have to meet work search requirements to keep getting benefits. You need to apply for 3 jobs per week and keep a log of your job search activities. Some people forget about this part and get their benefits stopped.
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Zoe Walker
•Good point. I'm already applying for jobs anyway so that shouldn't be a problem. Do they verify the job applications?
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Mateo Silva
•They can audit your job search activities, so make sure you're keeping good records. Use the WorkSourceWA website to document your job search - it connects directly to your Washington ESD account.
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Maria Gonzalez
•Yeah, I got selected for a job search audit after about 8 weeks. They wanted to see my job search log and proof of applications. Wasn't a big deal but good to be prepared.
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Victoria Jones
The system is so confusing!! I still don't understand how they calculate the base period. Why can't they just use your last year's income like a normal person would expect?
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Elijah Brown
•The base period system is designed to use the most recent complete quarters of data. Using partial quarters would be less accurate and harder to verify with employers.
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Victoria Jones
•I guess that makes sense but it's still confusing. Wish there was just a simple chart or something.
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Cameron Black
Don't forget about the waiting week! You won't get paid for your first week of unemployment even if you file right away. It's just how the system works in Washington.
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Zoe Walker
•Wait, so I file and then don't get paid for the first week? That seems unfair.
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Jessica Nguyen
•Actually, Washington eliminated the waiting week a few years ago. You should get paid for your first week as long as you're eligible and file your weekly claim.
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Cameron Black
•Oh really? That's good news! I must be thinking of how it used to be.
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Isaiah Thompson
I was making around $48k and got $723 per week. Pretty close to what the previous poster mentioned with similar income. The amount is definitely worth filing for - it's been a lifesaver while I look for work.
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Zoe Walker
•That's encouraging! How long have you been collecting benefits?
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Isaiah Thompson
•About 12 weeks now. Still looking for work but the benefits have kept me afloat. Make sure to file your weekly claims every week even if you're not sure about something - you can always correct it later.
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Ruby Garcia
One more tip - if you have questions about your benefit calculation or anything else, the Claimyr service really works. I was skeptical too but it saved me hours of trying to get through on the phone. Much better than sitting on hold for hours.
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Zoe Walker
•I'm definitely going to check that out. I hate being on hold and would rather just get answers quickly.
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Alexander Evans
•Same here - used Claimyr when I had an issue with my claim being stuck in adjudication. Got through to an agent in about 20 minutes instead of spending all day calling.
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Evelyn Martinez
The weekly benefit amount is just one part of it though. You also need to make sure you're available for work and able to work. If you're planning to go back to school or something, that could affect your eligibility.
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Zoe Walker
•I'm not planning to go back to school right now, just focusing on finding another job. Should be fine on the available and able requirements.
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Benjamin Carter
Quick question - do they count bonuses or just regular salary when calculating the benefit amount? I got a pretty big bonus last year.
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Elijah Brown
•Yes, bonuses count as wages for the quarter they were paid in. So if you got a big bonus, it could increase your weekly benefit amount if it falls in your highest earning quarter.
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Benjamin Carter
•Good to know! That might bump up my weekly amount then.
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Maya Lewis
I've been putting off filing too but this thread convinced me to do it. Sounds like the benefit amounts are actually pretty decent for higher earners. Thanks everyone!
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Zoe Walker
•Same here! Going to file tonight. Good luck with your claim!
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Isaac Wright
Just remember to keep filing your weekly claims every week. I forgot one week and it was a hassle to get it sorted out. Set a reminder in your phone or something.
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Zoe Walker
•Good tip! I'll set up a weekly reminder. What day of the week do you file?
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Isaac Wright
•I always file on Sundays. The system is usually less busy then and I can get it done before the week starts.
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Lucy Taylor
One last thing - if you end up having issues with your claim or need to talk to someone at Washington ESD, definitely check out that Claimyr service people mentioned. The video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ shows exactly how it works. Way better than trying to call on your own.
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Zoe Walker
•I watched the video and it looks pretty straightforward. Definitely keeping that in my back pocket in case I run into any issues.
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Connor Murphy
•Wish I had known about Claimyr when I was dealing with Washington ESD last year. Would have saved me so much frustration!
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