How much unemployment pay can I get from Washington ESD weekly benefits?

So if I made $12,600 in my highest quarter, that would be about $484 per week? That's way less than I expected.

That sounds about right for your earnings level. The benefit amount is designed to replace about 50% of your average weekly wage, but it's capped at the maximum.

I filed my claim but it's still showing as pending. How long did it take for your claim to be approved?

Mine was approved in about 10 days, but I didn't have any issues. If you can't get through to check your status, there's a service called Claimyr that helped me reach an agent when I had questions. They have a demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ

What counts as a job search activity? Is applying for jobs online enough?

Yes, online applications count. You can also attend job fairs, networking events, or workshops. Washington ESD accepts various activities as long as you document them properly.

Make sure you keep detailed records of your job search activities. Washington ESD can audit your job search log at any time.

That's exactly what I'm worried about. My mortgage alone is $2,800 a month so even $484 a week won't come close to covering everything.

Have you looked into other assistance programs? SNAP benefits, utility assistance, etc. might help bridge the gap while you're job hunting.

Oh no, I didn't even think about taxes. How much do they typically withhold?

They withhold 10% for federal taxes if you elect it. You can change this setting in your Washington ESD account after your claim is approved.

I've been working at the same company for 3 years, so I should have enough work history. Is there a minimum amount you need to have earned?

Yes, you need at least $5,265 in your base period and wages in at least two quarters. With 3 years of work history, you should be fine.

How long was your claim in adjudication? I'm worried mine might get delayed too.

Mine was stuck for 3 weeks because they needed to verify my separation reason. The agent Claimyr connected me with was able to expedite the review.

So even if my claim is approved right away, I won't get paid for two weeks?

Exactly. The waiting week is unpaid, and then you have to wait for processing of your first weekly claim. Plan for at least 2-3 weeks before your first payment.

So if I get $484 per week, that's about $12,584 total? That seems like a lot but spread over 6 months it's really not much.

Keep in mind you might find work before using all 26 weeks. The goal is to use unemployment as a bridge while job searching, not long-term income.

This is all so confusing. I wish Washington ESD made this clearer on their website.

The benefit calculator on their website helps, but it's not always accurate until your claim is fully processed and they have all your wage information.

How do you set up direct deposit? Is that something I do when filing the initial claim?

You can set it up in your Washington ESD account after your claim is approved. Much faster than waiting for paper checks in the mail.

Is that service free? I'm already stressed about money and don't want to pay for something I should be able to do myself.

It's worth checking out their demo video first - https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ. For me, getting through to resolve my questions was worth it since I was losing sleep over my claim status.

What if I find part-time work while collecting unemployment? Does that change my weekly benefit amount?

Part-time work can reduce your weekly benefit but won't change your base weekly amount. Washington ESD has specific rules about how much you can earn before it affects your benefits.

What happens if you accidentally report income incorrectly? I'm worried about making mistakes.

Minor mistakes can usually be corrected by calling Washington ESD, but intentional misreporting is fraud. Just be honest and careful when filling out your weekly claims.

You're right, I need to adjust my expectations. At least it's something while I'm job hunting.

Exactly, and don't forget to network and use all available job search resources. The faster you find work, the less you'll need to rely on unemployment benefits.

They gave me two weeks severance but no continuation of health insurance. I need to figure out COBRA costs too.

COBRA is expensive but necessary. Look into marketplace insurance options too - you might qualify for subsidies based on your reduced income.

That's reassuring. I'm hoping the whole process goes smoothly and I can find new work quickly.

Good luck with your job search! The job market is pretty good right now in most industries, so hopefully you won't need to use all your unemployment benefits.

Thanks for all the advice everyone. This has been really helpful in understanding how the system works.

You're welcome! Feel free to ask if you have other questions as you go through the process. We've all been there.