How much unemployment will I get from Washington ESD if I make $1,000 a week?

Washington ESD uses your highest earning quarter from the past 15 months as the base period. Your weekly benefit amount (WBA) is calculated as your highest quarter earnings divided by 26, but there's a cap. Right now the maximum weekly benefit in Washington is $999 per week, so if you're making $52k annually you'd probably hit close to that maximum depending on how your earnings were distributed throughout the year.

just filed last month and the process was pretty straightforward once I figured out the base period thing. but getting through to someone at Washington ESD on the phone when I had questions was impossible - kept getting busy signals or hung up on after waiting forever

The calculation isn't just about your current weekly earnings though. Washington ESD looks at your base period which is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file. So if you file in February 2025, they'd look at October 2023 through September 2024. Your benefit amount is based on that historical data, not what you're making right now.

I think there's also a minimum you have to have earned to qualify at all. Like you need at least $3,800 in your highest quarter or something like that? Been a while since I looked it up but there's definitely eligibility requirements beyond just being unemployed.

Don't forget you'll have to do the job search requirements too if you end up filing. Three job contacts per week and you have to keep detailed records in your WorkSourceWA account. It's not just about getting the money - there's ongoing obligations.

THE SYSTEM IS RIDICULOUS. I made good money too and they still found ways to delay my claim for MONTHS. Adjudication this, verification that. And good luck getting anyone on the phone to explain what's happening!!!

One more thing - make sure you understand the difference between gross and net when reporting wages if you do file. Washington ESD wants gross wages (before taxes) for calculating your benefit amount, but if you work part-time while collecting benefits, how they handle those earnings is different.

also make sure all your employer info is accurate when you file. had a friend who worked for a temp agency and put down the wrong employer code - delayed everything for weeks while they sorted it out

Quick question - is the $999 max per week before or after taxes? Because unemployment benefits are taxable income right?

Just remember that even if you calculate what you think you should get, Washington ESD makes the final determination. Sometimes there are factors you don't think about that can affect your benefit amount.

The whole system is so confusing honestly. When I filed I thought I had everything figured out but then got hit with all sorts of questions about availability and job search that I wasn't prepared for.

Good thread, saved me from having to post the same question! Sounds like I need to gather up all my pay stubs and employment history before I potentially need to file.

One last tip - if you do end up needing to contact Washington ESD for any reason after filing, I can't recommend Claimyr enough. Before I found them I literally tried calling for 3 weeks straight and never got through. Their system actually works.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful info! Hopefully I won't need it but at least now I have a better understanding of how it all works.