How much unemployment will I get from Washington ESD - need to calculate benefits

That helps! I think my highest quarter was probably around $8,500 so that would put me at about $325 a week. Is that before taxes?

Yes that's before taxes. You can choose to have 10% federal tax withheld when you file your weekly claims, which I'd recommend.

So if I made like $6,000 in my best quarter, that would be around $230 per week? That seems low compared to what I was making.

That sounds about right for that income level. Remember the maximum weekly benefit in Washington is $999 but most people get much less than that.

Thanks! So they don't just look at my most recent pay? They actually look back at different quarters?

Exactly. They use what's called your 'base period' which is the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters. So if you filed in January 2025, they'd look at July 2023 through June 2024.

Wait, I thought it was based on your last job's wages? This is confusing.

Thanks! I think my highest quarter was probably last summer when I worked more hours. How do I access my earnings history in eServices?

Log into your Washington ESD eServices account and look for 'View Monetary Determination' under the claim information section. It'll show all your quarterly earnings.

How many job searches do I need to do each week? And where do I log them?

You need to make at least 3 job search activities per week and log them in your eServices account. Activities include applying for jobs, networking, attending job fairs, etc.

Never heard of Claimyr before. Is it legit? I'm desperate to talk to someone at Washington ESD about my claim.

Yeah it's totally legitimate. They basically handle the calling and waiting for you, then connect you when an agent picks up. I used it twice and both times got through quickly.

How much does it cost though? I'm unemployed so I can't afford expensive services right now.

So if I made around $15,000 in my highest quarter, I'd get about $577 per week? That's actually more than I thought!

Exactly! And remember you can claim up to 26 weeks of regular UI benefits, longer if you qualify for extended benefits during high unemployment periods.

Half would be amazing but I doubt it's that much. $350 sounds pretty good though.

It's not half your weekly pay, that's a common misconception. The calculation is much more complex and based on quarterly earnings.

I worked there for almost 2 years so I think I'm good on the work history requirement.

That gives me a rough idea at least. Were you able to get through to someone at Washington ESD to verify your benefit amount?

nah couldn't get through on the phone, just had to wait for them to mail me the determination letter

I had the same problem until I found Claimyr - it's a service that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents. You can check it out at claimyr.com and they have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Saved me hours of calling.

That percentage helps! So if I made $10,000 in my best quarter, I'd get about $385 per week?

Yes, that's about right. But remember you also need to meet the minimum earnings requirements to qualify at all.

What's the base period exactly? Is that the same as the last 18 months?

The base period is usually the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file. So if you filed in January 2025, your base period would be January 2024 through December 2024.

wait i thought it was the last four quarters? this is confusing

That's what I'm worried about. I keep hearing horror stories about not being able to reach anyone at Washington ESD.

I had the same problem until someone told me about Claimyr. It's a service that calls Washington ESD for you and gets you connected to an actual agent. I used it last month when my claim got stuck in adjudication and finally got answers. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

Interesting, I hadn't heard of that. Might be worth trying since I'm getting nowhere with regular calling.

Have you tried calling right when they open at 8am? That's usually the best time but even then it's hit or miss.

I actually found this service called Claimyr that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents. You can check it out at claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. They basically keep calling until they get you connected to a real person.

Is that legit? I'm desperate enough to try anything at this point.

Make sure you have your Social Security card, driver's license, and employment records for the past 18 months. Also keep track of your job search activities from day one.

thanks, i have most of that but not sure about the employment records part

What kind of issues cause adjudication? I got laid off due to store closure so it wasn't my fault.

Store closure should be straightforward. Adjudication usually happens if there's a question about why you left your job, if you have wages from multiple states, or if there's missing documentation.

I don't have any kids so that doesn't apply to me, but good to know for others.

It's actually a bit more complex than that. The dependent allowance is calculated as a percentage of your weekly benefit amount, not a flat $25.

You can get an estimate using the benefit calculator on the Washington ESD website, but you'll need your wage information from each quarter.

I tried that calculator but it keeps asking for specific quarter amounts and I don't have all those numbers.

Good point! I didn't think about taxes. How much do they typically withhold?

They withhold 10% for federal taxes if you elect to have taxes taken out. No state income tax in Washington of course.

That's scary - can they really just change your benefit amount randomly?

They can adjust it if they find errors in your wage records or if you have other income that affects your benefits. Usually they'll send you a redetermination letter explaining any changes.

That's exactly the kind of situation where Claimyr helped me. When my claim was stuck in adjudication for weeks, I used their service to get through to an agent who could actually see what the hold up was and resolve it.

might have to try that. this is ridiculous

That sounds about right for my earnings. $300 a week would really help right now. How long does it usually take to get your first payment?

If your claim is straightforward with no issues, usually 2-3 weeks after you file. Make sure you're filing your weekly claims on time every week.

Thanks for the actual formula! So if my highest quarter was around $6,500, that would be $6,500 ÷ 13 × 0.0385 = about $193? That seems really low.

Your math is close but you might be underestimating your highest quarter earnings. At $18/hour full-time, you should have earned closer to $9,000+ in a quarter.

Wait, I thought the minimum was higher than that. Are you sure it's only $295?

I had the same problem until I found Claimyr.com - it's a service that helps you actually get through to Washington ESD agents. They have this system that calls for you and connects you when an agent is available. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows exactly how it works.

Really? That sounds too good to be true. How much does it cost?

It's worth checking out their site for the details. I was skeptical too but it actually worked - got connected to an agent within 20 minutes instead of spending hours trying to call.

What kind of job search activities do I need to do? I've been applying for jobs but haven't kept track of everything.

You need to make at least 3 job search contacts per week and keep a log of what you did. Applications, networking, job fairs, etc. all count.

Months?? That's terrifying. I can't wait months for my first payment.

Most people don't wait months. That sounds like there was a specific issue with your claim that needed adjudication.

I have two kids, so that would be an extra $50 per week? That helps a lot!

wait i thought unemployment was tax free? this is news to me

Unemployment is taxable income at the federal level. You can choose to have 10% withheld or pay it when you file your tax return.

No, that's not correct. Washington ESD uses the highest quarter method. You can verify this on their website under benefit calculations.

Oh my bad, must be thinking of a different state. Thanks for the correction!

I only worked in Washington so that shouldn't be an issue for me.

That's good. Multi-state claims can really complicate things and slow down processing.

Did you have any trouble with the application process or did it go smoothly?

took forever to get approved because they had to verify my employment. make sure all your info is accurate when you file

If your claim is in adjudication, that usually means they need to verify your employment or investigate a potential issue. Have you checked your SecureAccess Washington account for any outstanding items?

Yeah I check it every day and there's nothing there. Just says 'claim under review' with no explanation.

This is exactly why I used Claimyr - I was in the same boat with no information about my adjudication. Once I got through to an agent, they explained exactly what was holding up my claim.

Really? It shows you the benefit amount immediately after filing?

It shows an estimated amount but the final determination comes later after they review your wage records.

Where do I find this calculator on their website? I've been looking but can't find it.

It's buried in the FAQ section under 'Benefit Information' but honestly it's easier to just wait for your monetary determination after you file.

Good to know! I was planning to wait a few days to get my paperwork together but I'll file today.

How would I know if my wages weren't reported correctly?

You can check your wage and benefit statement in your SecureAccess Washington account. It should show all reported wages by quarter and employer.

Why did they deny you initially? I'm worried about that happening to me.

They claimed I was fired for misconduct but it was actually a layoff. Had to get documentation from my employer to prove it. Took forever.

That's helpful to know! Sounds like I should expect somewhere in that range too.

Don't forget you have to actively search for work and report it on your weekly claims. Washington ESD requires 3 job search activities per week.

They'll look at your highest quarter from the past 18 months. If your 2024 quarters were higher than 2023, they'll use those. The base period is usually the first four of the last five completed quarters before you filed.

So if I filed in January 2025, they'd look at quarters from July 2023 through September 2024?

Exactly! And if you don't have enough wages in that period, they can use an alternate base period which includes more recent quarters.

You should definitely appeal if you believe the misconduct determination was wrong. Make sure you have documentation of what happened and any witnesses who can support your version of events.

I HAVE EVERYTHING DOCUMENTED but getting through to someone to explain my side is impossible. This system is designed to deny benefits to people who need them.

Have you tried that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier? Might be worth it to actually talk to someone about your appeal.

Yes, overtime is included in your total wages for benefit calculation purposes. All W-2 wages count toward your base period earnings.

Good to know, thanks!

I was a regular W-2 employee so I should be good on that front.

Good, that makes it straightforward. The warehouse job should definitely qualify you.

That's scary. How did you know they calculated it wrong?

I compared what they showed for my wages versus my pay stubs and tax documents. There was a whole quarter missing from one job.

How much does that service cost? I'm already struggling financially.

It's worth checking their site for current rates, but for me it was worth it to finally get answers instead of spending hours trying to call on my own.

Good point! I should probably have them withhold taxes so I don't get a big bill next year.

yeah learned that the hard way last year, owed like $3000 in taxes on my unemployment

Oh no, I didn't think about taxes. How much should I expect to owe?

Depends on your total income for the year but plan on setting aside 10-20% of your benefits for taxes to be safe.

I'm hoping for at least $400 but sounds like that might be optimistic for my wage level.

$400 might be possible if you had some overtime or higher earning quarters. The calculation can be surprising sometimes.

That's about what I was hoping for. Should cover my basic expenses while I job hunt.

So even if I find a job after 10 weeks, I could still use the remaining weeks later if I get laid off again?

Exactly, as long as it's within that same benefit year. But you'd need to reopen your claim.

Unemployment benefits are counted as income for most other assistance programs, so it could affect your eligibility depending on the income limits. You should contact those programs directly to understand the impact.

That's what I was afraid of. It's like you can't win either way.

I had the same frustration until someone told me about Claimyr. It's a service that helps you get connected to Washington ESD representatives without waiting on hold for hours. Really saved my sanity dealing with all this.

Any wages from W-2 employment during your base period count, even if it was just a few months. Make sure Washington ESD has record of all your employers.

how do i make sure they have the records? the company i worked for was pretty small

They should receive wage reports from all employers automatically, but you can provide your own records if needed.

That does seem lower than expected for your income level. You might want to request a redetermination if you think they didn't count all your wages correctly.

How do I request a redetermination? And how long does that take?

You can request it through your SecureAccess Washington account or by calling Washington ESD. It usually takes 2-3 weeks to review.

That's good to know! So if I'm getting $577 per week, I could earn up to about $144 without any reduction?

Exactly! It's called the earnings disregard and it's designed to encourage people to take part-time work while looking for full-time employment.

How does that work exactly? Do they reduce your benefits dollar for dollar?

No, they have a formula. You can earn up to about $175 per week without any reduction, then they start reducing your benefits gradually. It's worth looking into if you can find part-time work.

For the first few weeks you should focus on jobs similar to your previous role and pay level. After that, Washington ESD may expect you to broaden your search to include jobs that pay at least 80% of your previous wage.

I got called out for only applying to jobs that paid exactly what I used to make. They said I needed to be more realistic about wage expectations.

26 weeks should be plenty of time to find something new. Hopefully I won't need that long.

Good to know they're knowledgeable. I might use them if I run into issues with my claim.

Good point, I'll make sure to have everything ready. Do they accept digital copies or need physical documents?

Digital is fine for most things. You can upload documents through their secure portal.

I didn't know that! I was planning to spend a few more days researching but I'll file today then.

Yes, definitely file immediately. You're losing money every day you wait.

How did you know the amount was wrong? I'm worried I won't even realize if they make a mistake.

I compared what I thought I should get based on my pay stubs versus what they calculated. When there was a big difference, I knew something was off.

I get that, I just need enough to keep my apartment while I job hunt. Hopefully it's at least half of what I was making.

It probably won't be half unfortunately. Maybe closer to 30-40% of your gross wages if you're lucky.

Oh wow, I didn't think about taxes. So the amount they give you isn't what you actually get to keep?

Correct, unemployment benefits are taxable income. You can have 10% federal tax withheld automatically when you file your weekly claims.

That's reassuring to know there's an appeal process if something seems wrong.

Just make sure you appeal quickly if needed - the 30 day deadline is firm.

Yeah, I'm definitely going to bookmark that service in case I run into issues. Better to know about it before I need it.

Smart thinking. I wish I had known about options like that when I was dealing with my claim problems.

Is that on their official website? I looked but couldn't find a calculator.

I think it might be buried in their FAQ section or you might have to use a third-party calculator. The official site isn't very user-friendly.

No military service for me, but thanks for thinking of it!

Good reminder! I'll set a calendar alert to make sure I don't forget.

Yeah I learned that the hard way. Missed one week and lost that money forever.

I'll definitely opt for the tax withholding. Don't want any surprises come tax time.

Yeah, union benefits can be different too. I had to coordinate with my union when I filed.

That's confusing but good to understand. So I won't get paid for that one week no matter what?

Correct, that one week is unpaid. It's just how the system works in Washington.

Great advice. I'll start a folder to keep everything organized. Thanks everyone for all the helpful information!

Good to know! I definitely don't want to miss out on any money I'm entitled to.

And make sure you're actively looking for work and keeping a job search log. Washington ESD requires you to make at least 3 job contacts per week.

I'll make sure to keep track of my job applications. Thanks for all the help everyone!

Good luck with your claim! The initial filing can seem overwhelming but it gets easier once you understand the process.

That's really helpful since I might be able to pick up some occasional warehouse shifts.

Just make sure to report all earnings honestly. Washington ESD cross-checks with employers and tax records.

The system is complex because it has to account for so many different work situations and wage patterns. But I agree it could be more user-friendly.

At least Washington has better benefits than a lot of other states. Some places have much lower maximum weekly amounts.

Yeah, I'm just looking for a rough estimate so I can plan my budget. Sounds like I should expect somewhere between $500-$600 per week based on my income.

that sounds about right, just remember to keep looking for work and document everything for your weekly claims

What's the maximum total amount you can get in a year?

It's usually 26 times your weekly benefit amount, so if you get $300/week your maximum would be $7,800 for the year.

That's what I'm hoping for. Did you have any issues with your weekly claims or did they process smoothly?

mostly smooth but sometimes they'd hold my payment for random reasons. just keep filing every week even if there are issues

I've only worked in Washington state at regular private companies, so hopefully that keeps things simple.

Yeah that should be straightforward then. Just make sure all your employers are listed correctly when you file your claim.

That's exactly what I'm worried about. How long did it take for you to get your first payment?

about 3 weeks total but it felt like forever when you're counting every dollar

I'll try that tomorrow morning. Thanks for the tip!

Even 8am is hit or miss these days. I had better luck using Claimyr to get through - they keep calling until someone answers so you don't have to babysit the phone all day.

Good point. I'll start keeping a detailed log of all my job applications and interviews.

Smart move. Better to have too much documentation than not enough when dealing with Washington ESD.

I'm planning to file this week. Is there any benefit to filing on a certain day of the week?

Not really, just file as soon as you can. The important thing is getting your claim started so the waiting period begins.

Yeah it's definitely more complex than I expected. At least I have a better idea of what to expect now thanks to everyone's help.

Where can I find information about the suitable work requirements?

It's in the claimant handbook they give you when you file, but you can also find it on the Washington ESD website under job search requirements.