How much unemployment will I get from Washington ESD - calculation help?

So if I made around $14,500 in my highest quarter that would be about $558 per week? That actually sounds reasonable.

Yeah that math looks right. Just remember you have to pay taxes on unemployment benefits if you choose to.

How do I check if my wages were reported right? I want to make sure I get the full amount I'm entitled to.

You can check your wage history on the Washington ESD website once you create your account. If there are missing wages you'll need to contact your employer to fix it.

Never heard of that before. Does it actually work or is it just another scam?

It's legit - they basically handle the calling and waiting for you then connect you when an agent picks up. Saved me hours of frustration.

That sounds too good to be true but if it actually works might be worth it. The Washington ESD phone system is absolutely terrible.

What counts as job search activities? Do I need to apply to a certain number of jobs each week?

You need to make at least 3 job search contacts per week and keep a log. This can include applying for jobs, contacting employers directly, attending job fairs, etc.

I tried using that calculator but it was confusing as hell. Couldn't figure out which quarters to use.

Yeah it's not very user friendly. The quarters are just calendar quarters - Jan-Mar, Apr-Jun, Jul-Sep, Oct-Dec.

Because they want to make it as difficult as possible so people give up and don't collect benefits they're entitled to.

It's actually not that bad once you understand it. The complexity comes from having to account for different work histories and wage patterns.

That's helpful to know - gives me a better idea of what to expect. Did you have any issues with your weekly claims?

Not really, just had to make sure I filed every week and kept up with my job search log. Missing a week can mess up your whole claim.

I did get 2 weeks severance pay. Does that mean I have to wait 2 weeks before I can start collecting?

Not necessarily 2 weeks but they'll calculate it based on your weekly benefit rate. Best to report it when you file and let them figure it out.

Definitely report all severance and vacation pay. Trying to hide it will just cause problems later if they find out.

Yeah it's usually like 50-60% of what you were making before. Better than nothing but definitely not easy to live on.

especially with rent and everything being so expensive now. unemployment barely covers basics

What's a monetary determination letter?

It's what Washington ESD sends you after you apply that shows your benefit amount and how long you can collect. Usually comes within a week or two of filing.

How long does it take to fix something like that if wages are missing?

Took about 3 weeks in my case. Had to get my employer to submit the missing wage information to Washington ESD.

This is another situation where being able to actually talk to someone at Washington ESD helps a lot. Claimyr really came in handy for me when I had wage issues.

Wait what? So even if I file right away I don't get anything for the first week?

Correct, the first week is unpaid. You still have to file the weekly claim but you won't receive benefits for that week.

I have two kids so that would be an extra $50 per week. Do I need to provide proof of dependents?

Yes you'll need to provide documentation like birth certificates or tax returns showing you claim them as dependents.

How much can you earn before it affects your benefits?

In Washington you can earn up to your weekly benefit amount minus $5 before they start reducing your benefits. So if your benefit is $500 you can earn up to $495 without any reduction.

Good to know - I filed my claim the day after my last day of work so hopefully that was quick enough.

That should be fine. The important thing is not waiting weeks or months to file.

What's the biggest mistake people make when filing for unemployment?

Not keeping detailed records of job search activities. Washington ESD can audit your claim at any time and if you can't prove you were looking for work they can make you pay back benefits.

This is really important - keep records of every job application, contact with employers, networking events, etc. Date, company name, contact person, what you did.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful info. This gives me a much better understanding of what to expect.

Good luck with your claim! The process can be frustrating but most people get through it okay if they follow the rules and stay on top of their weekly claims.