How much unemployment will I get from Washington ESD - need to calculate weekly benefit amount

That's helpful! How do I find out what my highest earning quarter was? Is that something I can see on my paystubs or do I need to wait for Washington ESD to calculate it?

You can estimate it by looking at your pay stubs from the last 15 months. Washington ESD will have the exact numbers from your employer's quarterly wage reports. When you file your claim, they'll show you the calculation.

Oh wow, I didn't know unemployment was taxable. That's going to make my budget even tighter. Can I have taxes taken out automatically?

Yes, you can elect to have 10% federal taxes withheld when you file your weekly claims. It's an option in your Washington ESD account settings.

Thanks! That's actually higher than I expected. Do I need to have all my pay stubs ready when I file?

No, Washington ESD gets your wage info directly from employers. Just have your last employer's info handy when you file online.

Thanks! So they don't look at my total annual salary, just my best quarter? That seems weird but good to know.

Yeah it's confusing. I thought it was based on your last job's pay too until I filed my claim last year.

Thanks! So if I made around $57,600 in my base period, what would that work out to roughly?

With those wages you'd likely get close to the maximum weekly benefit amount. Washington ESD will send you a monetary determination letter after you file that shows your exact weekly benefit amount.

So if I made around $13,000 in my highest quarter, that would be $500 a week? That seems pretty good actually.

Yes, that's roughly right. Just remember you'll need to file your weekly claims every week and meet job search requirements to keep getting benefits.

You're partially right about the base period, but for the weekly benefit amount it's just the highest quarter divided by 26. The two highest quarters thing is for determining total benefit eligibility.

oh yeah youre right, got confused there

A waiting week? So I won't get paid for the first week I'm unemployed?

Exactly. You still have to file that first weekly claim but you won't get paid for it. Benefits start with your second week of unemployment.

I'll look for that calculator, thanks! What kind of job search activities do I need to document? I was planning to start applying for jobs right away anyway.

You need to complete 3 job search activities per week and log them in WorkSourceWA. This includes applying for jobs, attending job fairs, networking events, or taking skills assessments. Keep detailed records of everything.

Really? How does that work exactly? I've been trying to call Washington ESD for two weeks about my claim and can never get through.

It basically handles all the calling and waiting for you. You tell them what you need help with and they get you connected to the right Washington ESD department. Way better than sitting on hold for hours.

Sounds too good to be true. What's the catch? How much does it cost?

I started this job in March 2024 so I'm worried my base year won't show much income. Will that hurt my benefit amount?

If your base year doesn't have enough wages, Washington ESD can use an alternate base year which is the last four completed quarters. That might work better for your situation.

Yeah I figured I'd have to file first. Just trying to get a ballpark estimate for my budget planning.

How much does that cost? Seems like I shouldn't have to pay someone to call unemployment for me.

I thought the same thing at first, but honestly it was worth it when I was stressed about my claim being stuck in adjudication for weeks. Sometimes you just need to talk to a real person at Washington ESD.

What counts as a job search activity? Just applying for jobs?

applying for jobs, going to job fairs, networking events, even creating profiles on job sites. check the washington esd website for the full list

If there are no issues with your claim, it typically takes 2-3 weeks from the date you file. If your claim goes into adjudication for any reason, it can take much longer - sometimes 6-8 weeks.

what would cause it to go into adjudication? i'm worried now that something might be wrong

Common reasons include voluntary quit vs. layoff disputes, questions about your availability to work, or wage discrepancies. Don't panic - most claims get approved eventually.

That sounds about right for your income level. Thanks for sharing your experience!

Is that service legit? I've been trying to call Washington ESD for weeks to ask about my benefit calculation and can never get through.

Yeah, I used it last month when I had questions about my adjudication. Saved me hours of calling and getting disconnected.

I'll try to find that calculator, thanks. Hopefully it's more accurate than trying to guess.

Good to know! I did work some overtime last summer so that might help.

Yeah, overtime can make a big difference in your benefit calculation. Every bit helps when you're unemployed.

I had the same problem until I found Claimyr. It's a service that calls Washington ESD for you and gets you connected to an actual agent. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me hours of frustration.

Really? That sounds too good to be true. How does it actually work?

They basically handle all the calling and waiting for you. When they get an agent on the line, they conference you in. Super simple and way better than sitting on hold all day.

Never heard of that service. Does it actually work to get through to Washington ESD?

Yeah it worked for me. Way better than sitting on hold for hours or getting disconnected. The agent was able to pull up my account and explain the whole calculation process.

I don't have any dependents so I guess I won't get that extra amount. Every little bit helps though!

That would be helpful if accurate. I was making that consistently for about 18 months before getting laid off.

The base period thing is confusing. Which quarters exactly do they use? Is it the most recent ones?

It's the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters before you file. So if you file in Q1 2025, they'd look at Q4 2023 through Q3 2024.

Oh no, that's exactly what I'm worried about. Did you have any issues with your claim or is it just taking a long time?

No issues that I know of. It just says 'processing' on my account. This system is ridiculous.

Good to know. I don't have any other income right now so hopefully it's straightforward.

That's exactly what I'm worried about! How do you get wage information corrected if there's an error?

You have to file a wage protest with Washington ESD and provide documentation like pay stubs or W-2s. But good luck getting through to them on the phone to explain the situation.

You can also submit wage protests online through your Washington ESD account. It's actually faster than trying to call in most cases.

Thanks for the tip! I was actually thinking about waiting a few days to see if they call me back.

Nope, file today if you can. The sooner you file the sooner your benefits can start after that waiting week.

Thanks for the heads up! I didn't even think about the tax implications.

You can elect to have federal taxes withheld from your weekly benefits at 10% when you file your weekly claims. Saves you from owing a big chunk at tax time.

That's awful! What was wrong with their calculation?

They didn't include all my quarterly wages from my previous employer. Had to send in W-2s and pay stubs to prove my earnings. Such a hassle.

Oh wow, I didn't know that. Should I have them withhold taxes from my benefits then?

I would recommend it, especially if you think you'll be on unemployment for a while. It's better than owing a big chunk at tax time.

They have to verify your wages with all your employers during the base period first. That's why it takes time to get your monetary determination.

still annoying though. everything with washington esd takes forever

That's good to know. I did some weekend work at a retail store for a few months last year.

Exactly, those wages will help increase your weekly benefit amount since they're included in your base period earnings.

Wait, what do you mean by waiting week? I thought if I file right away I'd get paid for that first week.

Washington has a one-week waiting period where you file a claim but don't receive payment. It's like a deductible. You still have to do your job search activities that week though.

Actually, I think they eliminated the waiting week during COVID. Not sure if it's back or not.

Oh man I didn't even think about taxes on unemployment. How much should I expect to owe?

depends on your total income for the year but unemployment is taxed as regular income. definitely have them withhold 10% if you can afford to

That's exactly why I ended up using Claimyr. Saved me hours of calling and getting hung up on.

What's this Claimyr thing? Is it legit or some kind of scam?

It's legit. They help you get through to Washington ESD agents when the regular phone lines are jammed. Check out their video demo to see how it works.

I worked full time for over a year so I think I should be fine on the hours requirement.

You need at least 680 hours in your base period to qualify for Washington unemployment benefits.

Oh man, I didn't think about taxes. Should I have them withhold taxes from my benefits?

I'd recommend it. They'll withhold 10% federal tax if you elect that option when you file your claim. Better than owing money later.

Yeah I learned this the hard way. Owed $1,200 in taxes on my unemployment benefits from 2024.

That's really helpful to get insight from someone who worked there! Is there a minimum amount you have to have earned to qualify for benefits?

Yes, you need to have earned at least $1,000 in your highest quarter and total base year wages of at least 1.5 times your highest quarter amount. There are also alternative base year calculations if you don't qualify under the standard method.

That's good to know about part-time work. I might try to pick up some side work while I'm looking for a full-time job.

Just make sure you report any work and earnings when you file your weekly claim. Washington ESD will find out anyway and you don't want an overpayment.

Did they actually get you through to someone at Washington ESD?

Yeah, took about 30 minutes but they got me connected to an adjudicator who cleared up the issue with my claim. Would have taken me days of calling on my own.

That's actually really helpful to know. Similar salary range to what I was making.

Was that the maximum she could get or did she have higher wages in some quarters?

I think that was based on her actual wages. She'd been at that salary for about 2 years before getting laid off.

Good point. I need to start keeping track of my job applications anyway.

Yeah I guess that's probably the best approach. Just wanted to get a rough idea first.

That's why I'm trying to understand how they calculate it. I had a raise about 8 months ago so my earlier quarters were lower.

That could definitely affect your benefit amount. They use your two highest quarters, so if your recent raise happened in the base period, you should be in good shape.

10 days isn't too bad. I'm just anxious to know so I can plan my budget.

mine took like 2 weeks but that was during a busy time with lots of layoffs

Perfect, I'll file online today. Thanks everyone for all the helpful info!

Good point, I'll make sure I have all my documents ready.

How long does it usually take to get that letter?

Mine came about 10 days after I filed my initial claim.

What counts as a job search contact? Just applying for jobs online?

Job applications, networking contacts, career fairs, interviews. They want specific details like company names, contact info, and what you did.

Good point! I was thinking about waiting to see if I hear back from any of the jobs I applied for, but you're right that I should file now.

Exactly! You can always withdraw your claim if you find work immediately, but you can't get back those weeks if you wait too long to file.

Yes, I mentioned it earlier! It really works. I was skeptical at first but they got me through to Washington ESD in less than an hour. Way better than the endless busy signals and hang-ups I was getting.

I tried Claimyr last month when my claim was stuck in adjudication. They connected me to an adjudicator who was able to explain exactly what documents I needed to submit. Saved me weeks of waiting.

Thanks for the feedback! I'm definitely going to check it out. This whole process is so stressful when you can't get answers.

Is that separate from regular job searching? Sounds like a lot of hoops to jump through.

It's annoying but it's required. You have to register with WorkSourceWA within a certain timeframe or your benefits can get suspended.

Good to know. I was thinking about trying one of those but sounds like it's not worth it.

Thanks, I was planning to file this week. Didn't realize the timing mattered that much.

Definitely file ASAP. Even if your claim goes into adjudication for some reason, you want that filing date to be as early as possible.

I'm definitely going to keep that in mind if I run into issues. Better than spending hours on hold.

Is there a cost for using that service?

I haven't used it myself but from what I understand it's worth it compared to the time you'd waste trying to get through on your own.

Washington eliminated the waiting week during COVID and it's still gone. You should get paid for your first week if you're eligible.

That's a relief! Thanks for clarifying that.

What counts as a job search activity? Just applying to jobs or other things too?

Applying to jobs, attending job fairs, networking events, even some online training courses. Check the WorkSourceWA website for the full list.

Yeah I've been working steadily for over 2 years so hopefully that's enough.

Yes, all wages including overtime count toward your quarterly total. That's actually good for you since it increases your highest quarter amount.

Awesome, that OT might actually help me get a higher weekly benefit then.

Good to know, though I doubt I'll hit that maximum with my income level.

Most people don't hit the max unless they were making really good money. The average weekly benefit is probably around $400-500.

I'm permanently laid off, not on standby. But good to know there are different rules depending on your situation.

Right, for permanent layoffs it's the standard calculation. Standby has different job search requirements too, so it's important to be clear about your status.

You're absolutely right. I'll stop overthinking it and just file this week. Thanks everyone for all the helpful info!

I tried that and still couldn't get through. The phone system is just overwhelmed. That's why I ended up using Claimyr - they handle all the calling hassle and actually got me connected to someone who could explain my benefit amount calculation.

How long did it take them to get you connected?

About 30 minutes total. Way better than the hours I spent trying to call myself.

Good to know! I'll definitely check that once I file. The online system seems easier than trying to call.

That's interesting. So they look at ALL your jobs during the base year, not just your most recent one?

Exactly! They combine all wages from all employers in each quarter, then use your highest total quarter.

My last day was Friday so I should file this week then?

Yes, file ASAP. The sooner you file, the sooner you can start collecting benefits.

I'm getting two weeks severance. Will that delay my benefits?

It might. You'll need to report that when you file your claim and they'll tell you how it affects your benefit start date.

That's reassuring! I was getting stressed about doing the calculations myself.

Good advice. I'll make sure to stay on top of the weekly filing once I get my claim started.

Yeah I missed one week early on and it was a hassle to fix. Don't make my mistake!

I'll check that out right now. Thanks for the tip!

Several people have mentioned Claimyr now. Sounds like it might be worth trying if I can't get my questions answered through the regular channels.

Definitely helped me avoid a lot of frustration. The agents they got me connected to were really knowledgeable about benefit calculations.

I'm going to try that. I've been calling Washington ESD every day for a week and just get busy signals or get hung up on after waiting an hour.

That's exactly why I started using it. The regular phone system is basically unusable during busy periods.

I've been at my job for 3 years so I should be okay on that front.

Yeah, you should be fine then. The base period earnings requirement is pretty reasonable for someone with steady employment.

I was thinking about using one of those online calculators. Good to know they're not reliable.

The only accurate calculation comes from Washington ESD directly once they process your claim and send you the monetary determination.

Already started updating my resume and looking at job postings. Thanks for the advice!

Smart move. And remember to document all your job search activities for your weekly claims.

Yeah, the uncertainty is definitely the worst part. I just want to know what I'm working with so I can make a plan.

thats why the whole system needs to be redesigned. too much bureaucracy and not enough transparency

Thanks for that reminder. I'll make sure to file every week once I submit my initial claim.

This is super important. I know someone who missed a few weeks thinking they could file retroactively and they lost those benefits permanently.

That's reassuring to hear. I'm sure I'll figure it out as I go.

Yeah, after the first few weeks it becomes routine. The weekly claims only take a few minutes to complete.

I'll keep that in mind. Hopefully I won't need it, but it's good to know there's an option if I get stuck.

I used Claimyr when my claim got stuck in adjudication and it was worth every penny. Got my issue resolved in one phone call instead of weeks of waiting.

Thanks for all the encouragement and advice everyone. This thread has been really helpful!

That's what this community is for. We've all been through the unemployment process and know how confusing it can be at first.

Definitely planning to be aggressive about job searching. I don't want to be on unemployment any longer than necessary.

That's the right attitude. The people who approach it that way usually find work faster and have better outcomes overall.

I was definitely laid off due to company downsizing, so that shouldn't be an issue for me.

Perfect, that's the cleanest situation for unemployment eligibility. You should have no problems there.

I'll definitely use that calculator. Do you remember where on their website you found it?

It's under the 'File a Claim' section I think. You might have to poke around a bit to find it, their website isn't the most user-friendly.

All wages reported by employers count toward your base year calculation, including seasonal work. The key is that the employer reported the wages to Washington ESD through their quarterly wage reports.

Perfect, thanks! That should help boost my benefit amount since I made decent money during ski season.

That gives me a good ballpark estimate, thanks! Did you have any issues with the application process or did it go smoothly?

Pretty smooth for me. Took about 3 weeks to get my first payment but no major issues. Just make sure you file your weekly claims on time every week.

How much can you earn before it affects your benefits? I might be able to pick up some freelance work.

I think it's around $150 per week before they start reducing your benefits, but don't quote me on that. You'd need to report any earnings when you file your weekly claim.

The partial benefit calculation is actually more complex than that. Washington ESD has specific formulas based on your weekly benefit amount and hours worked. Check their website for the exact rules.

Agreed! I feel much more prepared to file my claim now. Still nervous about the whole process but at least I know what to expect.

Same here. The Claimyr option sounds really helpful too if we run into problems getting through to Washington ESD.

How long do you have to appeal if there's an error on the monetary determination?

I believe it's 30 days from the date on the determination letter, but double-check that when you receive yours. Time limits are strict with Washington ESD appeals.

Thank you! I really appreciate everyone's help and advice. Feeling much more confident about filing my claim now.

Hopefully I'll find another job before I run out of benefits. 26 weeks should be plenty of time.

Yeah, most people find work before their benefits run out. Good luck with your job search!

When do I file the weekly claims? Is it the same day every week?

You can file starting Sunday for the previous week. Most people file on Sunday or Monday. Just don't wait until Saturday or you might miss the deadline.

Good to know there are options if I run into problems. Hopefully everything goes smoothly though.

yeah hopefully you won't need it but its good to know about if your claim gets stuck in the system somewhere

That's reassuring to hear. I was worried it would be a nightmare to deal with.

Nah, as long as your case is straightforward it should be fine. The problems usually come up when there are complications or questions about your eligibility.