How much unemployment will I get from Washington ESD?

Washington ESD calculates your weekly benefit amount (WBA) based on your highest quarter of earnings in your base period. The base period is usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters before you file. Your WBA will be roughly 3.85% of your highest quarter earnings, but there's a minimum of $295 and maximum of $999 per week for 2025.

Washington ESD calculates your weekly benefit amount using your highest earning quarter from the last 18 months. They take that quarterly amount and divide by 26 weeks. The maximum weekly benefit for 2025 is $999. With your wage history, you're probably looking at somewhere between $400-500 per week, but you'll need to file your claim to get the exact amount.

Washington ESD calculates your weekly benefit amount using your highest earning quarter from your base year. It's roughly 60% of your average weekly wage up to the maximum. For 2025, the max weekly benefit is $999. Based on your hourly wage, you'd probably get somewhere between $400-600 per week depending on your exact earnings history.

You can actually get a pretty good estimate by logging into your SecureAccess Washington account and looking at your wage history. The benefit calculator on the Washington ESD website is helpful too once you have those numbers.

Washington ESD calculates your weekly benefit amount (WBA) using your highest earning quarter from your base year. They take that quarter's earnings and divide by 26. So if your highest quarter was $13,000, your WBA would be $500 per week. The maximum weekly benefit in Washington is currently $999 per week.

Washington ESD calculates your weekly benefit amount based on your earnings during your base period, which is typically the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you filed. They'll look at your highest earning quarter and divide by 26 to get your weekly amount. The maximum weekly benefit for 2025 is $999.

Washington ESD calculates your weekly benefit amount based on your highest earning quarter in your base period. They take your total wages from that quarter and divide by 26. The maximum weekly benefit for 2025 is $999 plus $25 for dependents if you qualify.

I was in a similar situation last year and got totally frustrated trying to reach Washington ESD to ask about my benefit amount. Kept getting busy signals and when I did get through, I'd get disconnected after waiting forever. Finally found this service called Claimyr that helped me get through to an actual agent who explained everything. Check out claimyr.com - they even have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works.

The calculation is weird but basically it's roughly 50% of your average weekly wage up to the maximum. Since you were making $850/week, you'd probably get around $425 if I had to guess. But they use some complex formula with quarters and stuff.

i think its like 60% of your average weekly wage or something like that? not sure exactly but mine was way less than i expected

The formula is pretty straightforward once you understand it. Take your highest quarter earnings, divide by 13, then multiply by 0.5. That gives you your weekly benefit amount. But there's also a minimum ($295) and maximum ($999) so you can't go below or above those amounts.

The weekly benefit amount in Washington is calculated based on your earnings during your base period, which is usually the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you filed. They take your highest earning quarter and divide by 26. The maximum weekly benefit for 2025 is $999 per week.

Thanks! How do I find out what my highest quarter was? Is that something I can see on my pay stubs or do I need to wait for Washington ESD to tell me?

You can estimate it by looking at your pay stubs, but Washington ESD will calculate it officially when you file your claim. They use wage data reported by your employers.

Washington ESD uses your highest earning quarter from your base year to calculate your weekly benefit. They take that quarter's earnings, divide by 26, then you get about 60-65% of that amount. So if your highest quarter was around $13,000, you'd probably get somewhere in the $300-350 range per week.

the amount also depends on if you have any dependents. i think you get extra for kids but not sure how much

I was making similar wages and got $447/week when I filed last year. But I had trouble getting through to Washington ESD to actually talk to someone about my claim. Took forever on the phone and kept getting disconnected. If you need to reach them, I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually got me through to an agent in like 20 minutes. They have a demo video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ

I was having trouble getting through to Washington ESD to ask about my benefit amount calculation because the phone lines are always busy. Found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually got me connected to an agent in like 10 minutes. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Totally worth it when you need to talk to someone about your specific situation.

You can get a rough estimate by adding up all your wages from your highest earning quarter in the base period and dividing by 26. Then multiply that by 50% - that's roughly what your weekly benefit will be. But Washington ESD will calculate the exact amount once you file your claim.

I've been trying to call Washington ESD for weeks to ask about my benefit calculation but can never get through! The phone system is impossible. Has anyone found a way to actually talk to someone there?

i think it depends on how much you made in the last year or something like that. when i filed mine took forever to get approved though

The Washington ESD website has a benefit calculator but honestly it's not very accurate. I spent hours trying to figure out what I'd get and just had to wait until my claim was processed. The waiting is the worst part because you need to know for budgeting.

yeah the calculation is confusing but basically its about half your regular pay up to the max. i was making about $4000/month and my UI is around $450/week so thats pretty close to half

You'll get between 15-50% of your average weekly wage, up to the maximum. Since you made $52k annually, that's about $1000/week, so you'd likely get close to the maximum benefit amount. The good news is layoffs are usually straightforward - no misconduct issues to deal with.

Just a heads up - even if you qualify for a decent amount, they'll deduct taxes if you choose to have them withheld. I made the mistake of not doing that and owed a bunch at tax time. You can elect to have 10% federal tax withheld when you file.

just filed last month and my benefit amount was way lower than i expected even though i was making decent money. turns out they use wages from like a year ago not your most recent job which sucks if you got a raise recently

The formula is actually a bit more complex than that. They look at all four quarters in your base year, not just the highest one. Your weekly benefit amount is calculated using the two highest quarters. But yeah, it's roughly 3.85% of your total base year wages, up to the maximum.

The benefit amount also depends on if you have any dependents. You can get additional money for dependent children under 18.

That helps give me a ballpark idea. Sounds like I should expect somewhere around $400-500 per week based on my salary.

WASHINGTON ESD BENEFIT CALCULATION IS A JOKE! They base it on old wages from over a year ago sometimes. My benefit amount didn't reflect my most recent job at all because of their stupid base period rules.

make sure you file asap because there's a waiting week where you won't get paid even if you're eligible. the sooner you start the process the better

Keep in mind you'll also need to pay taxes on unemployment benefits if you choose to have them withheld, which reduces your actual take-home amount.

I've been trying to get through to Washington ESD for weeks to ask about my benefit calculation but their phone lines are impossible! Has anyone found a way to actually talk to someone there? I keep getting the busy signal or getting disconnected after waiting for hours.

The alternate base period uses the last 4 completed quarters instead of the first 4 of the last 5. It can help if you recently started working or changed jobs. Washington ESD should automatically check this if you don't qualify under regular base period, but you can request it too.

i'm so confused about all this base period stuff. when i filed last year i just got some random amount and never understood how they came up with it. is there a way to see the actual calculation?

Don't forget you also have to pay federal taxes on unemployment benefits. They don't automatically take it out anymore so you'll owe at tax time unless you request withholding.

If you're having trouble getting through to Washington ESD to ask questions about your benefit calculation, I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helps you actually reach an agent. They have this video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me hours of calling and getting hung up on.

If you're having trouble getting through to Washington ESD to ask questions about your benefit amount, I found this service called Claimyr that helps you actually reach a live agent. They have a website at claimyr.com and there's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me hours of calling and getting busy signals.

Washington calculates your Weekly Benefit Amount (WBA) using your base period wages. They look at your highest quarter earnings and lowest quarter earnings in your base period. There's a formula but basically you're looking at roughly 3.85% of your total base period wages, divided by 52 weeks, but it can't exceed the maximum.

The amount depends on when you worked too. If you started that job recently, you might not have enough wage history in your base period. Washington ESD looks at the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters before you file. So timing matters.

THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS A JOKE!!! They make you jump through hoops just to find out how much you'll get and then it takes WEEKS to actually see any money. I've been waiting 3 weeks just for my claim to be approved.

Don't forget you can also qualify for the $25 weekly dependency allowance if you have qualifying dependents. Not a huge amount but every bit helps when you're unemployed.

don't forget you have to pay taxes on unemployment benefits too. i learned that the hard way last year when i got a huge tax bill

whatever you do dont expect to get your money right away. mine took 6 weeks to start getting payments even though i was approved

Don't forget you'll also need to do job search activities to keep getting benefits. Washington requires you to make at least 3 job search contacts per week and keep a log.

I had the same question when I got laid off last year. Honestly the easiest thing is just to file your claim and see what they give you. The calculation involves looking at your wages from like 15 months ago to 3 months ago, so it's not always obvious which quarters they'll use.

If you're having trouble getting through to Washington ESD to ask about your benefit calculation, I found this service called Claimyr that helps you actually reach an agent. They have a system that calls for you and connects you when someone picks up. Check out claimyr.com - there's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Really helped me when I needed to talk to someone about my weekly benefit amount.

Don't forget you have to do the job search requirements too once you start getting benefits. Washington ESD requires 3 job search activities per week and you have to log them. It's not just free money - there are obligations.

I got about $450 per week when I was unemployed last year. I was making around $22/hour full time, so that might give you an idea of what to expect with your wage level.

I had the same problem until I found Claimyr. It's a service that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents - they basically handle the calling and waiting for you. Check out claimyr.com and there's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

The Washington ESD website has a benefit calculator tool that can give you an estimate if you know your quarterly earnings. It's under the 'Calculate Weekly Benefit' section.

Manufacturing jobs usually qualify for regular UI benefits no problem. Service industry can be trickier with schedules and hours but you should be fine. Just file as soon as you can - there's a waiting week so the sooner you apply the sooner benefits start.

Make sure you file online through the Washington ESD website, not by phone unless you absolutely have to. The online system is much faster and you can track everything easier.

the max benefit amount changes every year too. i think it went up from like $960 to $999 this year

The Washington ESD website has gotten better but it's still confusing AF. I spent like 2 hours trying to figure out my potential benefit amount before just calling them directly. Of course that took another 3 hours of waiting on hold.

Also remember you have to do job searches every week and report them when you certify. The requirement is 3 job search activities per week. Make sure you keep track of everything because they do audit people.

Just remember that unemployment benefits are taxable income. You can choose to have taxes withheld or pay them when you file your tax return next year.

Don't panic about delays - that's not typical for straightforward layoff cases. Most claims get processed within 2-3 weeks if you have all your documentation and there are no eligibility issues to resolve.

Adjudication usually happens when there's a question about why you left your job, if you're able and available for work, or if there are wage discrepancies. Since you were laid off due to company downsizing, you shouldn't have any issues as long as your employer reports it correctly.

Interesting, I'll check that out. At this point I'm willing to try anything to get some answers about my claim.

The whole system is so confusing!! I made $45K last year and only got $287 a week. I thought it would be more based on what people told me.

the system is so confusing! i've been getting benefits for a month and still don't fully understand how they calculated my amount. good luck getting through to someone if you have questions

I used Claimyr last month when I needed to resolve an adjudication issue. Worth it to actually talk to someone instead of just waiting forever on hold.

Make sure you understand that your total benefit amount isn't unlimited either. You can collect for up to 26 weeks in Washington, and the total amount is capped at 30% of your base period wages. So even if your weekly amount looks good, check how many weeks you're eligible for.

You also need to remember that unemployment benefits are taxable income. You can have taxes withheld or pay quarterly, but don't forget about it come tax time.

The benefit amount also depends on how many dependents you have. If you have qualifying dependents you can get additional money on top of your base WBA. I think it's like $25 per dependent but don't quote me on that exact amount.

I was getting like $380/week on unemployment and I was making about $20/hour before I got laid off. So your estimate of $400-500 sounds about right for $22/hour. Every little bit helps when you're out of work.

Your benefit amount also depends on if you have any dependents. You can get an extra $25 per week for each dependent child under 18. Not much but every little bit helps when you're unemployed.

Something to keep in mind - your benefit amount stays the same for your entire benefit year even if you get a part-time job and then lose it again. So if you're calculating based on lower wages from your base year, that's what you'll get the whole time.

Your benefit amount will also determine how long you can collect benefits. In Washington, you can typically collect for up to 26 weeks, but it depends on your total benefit year amount.

just a heads up that you have to do job searches every week and report them when you file your weekly claim. think its like 3 job contacts per week or something

I don't have any dependents so that won't apply to me, but good to know for others reading this.

Don't forget you also have to pay taxes on unemployment benefits. They'll withhold federal and state taxes if you request it, or you can pay quarterly. Just something to keep in mind when budgeting.

I hate how complicated Washington ESD makes everything. Why can't they just tell you upfront what you'll get instead of making you do all these calculations?

I tried using that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier and it actually worked! Got connected to a Washington ESD agent who explained my whole benefit calculation over the phone. Way better than trying to figure it out from the confusing website.

Just wanted to mention that if you have any issues with your claim getting stuck or need to talk to someone at Washington ESD, that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier really does work. I was skeptical at first but it saved me weeks of trying to get through on my own when my claim went into adjudication.

Just remember that part-time work can affect your benefits too. If you find temporary work while collecting, you need to report it and they'll reduce your payment accordingly. It's not dollar for dollar though - there's a formula.

here's something nobody mentions - if you get severance pay it might delay when you can start collecting benefits. happened to my coworker, had to wait like 6 weeks

The calculation seems complicated but here's the simple version: Washington ESD will pay you roughly half your previous weekly wage, up to the maximum of $999/week for 2025. At $52k annually, you're looking at about $500-600 per week probably.

One thing to watch out for - if you get any severance pay or vacation payout, that might affect when your benefits start. Washington ESD considers that wages and you might have to wait until that period is over.

The dependent allowance is currently $24 per dependent child under 18, up to a maximum of 5 dependents.

The most important thing is to file right away even if you're not sure about all the details. You can always provide additional information later but you can't backdate your claim very far.

JUST SO YOU KNOW the amount they give you is TAXABLE income so don't forget to set aside money for taxes or elect to have federal taxes withheld when you file your weekly claims!!

whatever you do dont trust the estimates people give you online. everyone's situation is different and Washington ESD uses quarters from over a year ago sometimes. just file and see what happens

I was making about the same as you at my last job and ended up getting $465 per week. But that was after working there for 3 years so I had higher wages in my base period quarters. Your amount might be different since you've only been there 2 years.

One thing nobody mentions is that if you worked part-time or had multiple jobs, it can affect your calculation. Washington ESD looks at ALL your employers in the base period, not just your most recent one.

I used to work in HR and saw a lot of unemployment claims. Your retail experience should definitely qualify you, especially if you were laid off and didn't quit voluntarily.

Make sure when you file online that you have all your employment information ready - employer names, addresses, dates of employment, and reason for separation. It'll make the process much smoother.

washington esd is so slow right now. took them 3 weeks to process my claim and i still haven't gotten my first payment. hope yours goes faster!

The key is to be completely honest on your application about your work history and reason for job separation. Any discrepancies can delay your claim processing.

I was in a similar situation last year - laid off from manufacturing. Got about $580 per week on a $48k salary. The process was pretty smooth since it was a clear layoff situation. Just make sure you file your weekly claims on time every week.

Washington ESD is actually pretty good about getting benefits started quickly if you have a straightforward layoff situation. It's the complicated cases that take forever. Since you were laid off from a regular job, you should be fine.

Also remember that if you do any part-time work while collecting unemployment, you need to report those earnings on your weekly claim. They'll reduce your benefits accordingly but you can still collect partial unemployment.

If you need to call Washington ESD to verify your benefit amount calculation or ask specific questions about your claim, definitely check out that Claimyr service I mentioned earlier. Way better than spending hours on hold or getting disconnected.

The whole process seems overwhelming but once you get your first payment it gets easier. Just stay on top of your weekly claims and job search requirements.

Don't stress too much about the exact amount until you get your monetary determination letter from Washington ESD. That will show you exactly what your weekly benefit amount is and how they calculated it.

Good point! I didn't think about the tax implications. Is it better to have them withhold taxes or pay at the end of the year?

I always have them withhold 10% for federal taxes. Better than getting hit with a big tax bill next April.

The Washington ESD system is SO FRUSTRATING when you're trying to get answers about your benefits! I spent literally 4 hours on the phone yesterday and never got through to a human being. The automated system just kept hanging up on me.

dont stress too much about the exact amount until you file and see what they calculate. i was worried about the same thing but it ended up being more than i expected

yeah learned that the hard way my first time on unemployment. owed like $800 in taxes

Another thing to consider is that your benefit amount might be reduced if you do any part-time work while collecting. Washington ESD has rules about reporting earnings that can affect your weekly benefit.

How does that work exactly? I might pick up some freelance work while I'm looking for a full-time job.

You can earn up to your weekly benefit amount minus $5 before your benefits start getting reduced. So if your WBA is $450, you can earn up to $445 without any reduction. Anything over that gets deducted from your benefit.

And you have to report ALL earnings when you file your weekly claim, even if it's just $20. They're pretty strict about that.

I've been on unemployment twice in the past 5 years and the calculation has always seemed fair to me. It's definitely not enough to live comfortably but it helps cover basic expenses while job hunting. Just make sure you're actively looking for work because they do check up on that.

What do they require for job search activities? I know I need to look for work but I'm not sure what I need to document.

You need to complete 3 job search activities per week and keep a log. This can include applying for jobs, attending job fairs, networking events, etc. They explain it all when you file your initial claim.

The whole system is set up to make it as difficult as possible to get benefits. They calculate everything in the most confusing way and then make you jump through hoops to prove you deserve the money you paid into the system.

I hear you on the frustration but honestly the calculation isn't that bad once you understand it. The real problem is trying to get through to someone when you have questions.

True, the phone system is absolutely horrible. I spent literally 6 hours one day trying to get through and never reached a human.

For what it's worth, I used that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier when I had issues with my claim being stuck in adjudication. Saved me so much time and frustration - they got me connected to an agent within like 20 minutes.

How much does something like that cost? Seems like it might be worth it if it actually works.

I don't remember the exact cost but it was reasonable considering how much time it saved me. Way better than spending entire days trying to get through on my own.

One thing I wish I had known when I first filed is that it takes a few weeks to get your first payment even if everything goes smoothly. So don't expect money right away - plan accordingly.

Good to know! How long did it take for you to get your first payment?

About 3 weeks from when I filed my initial claim to when I received my first deposit. And that was with no issues or adjudication delays.

Same here, took about 3 weeks. The waiting week is eliminated now but there's still processing time.

just file your claim as soon as possible after you lose your job. the sooner you file the sooner you can start getting benefits. and make sure all your info is accurate because mistakes can cause delays

Thanks for the advice! I'm planning to file tomorrow morning. Is there a best time of day to file online?

early morning or late evening usually have less traffic on the website. avoid middle of the day on mondays

The benefit calculator on the Washington ESD website is pretty helpful for getting an estimate before you file your actual claim. It won't be exact but it'll give you a rough idea of what to expect.

I didn't know they had a calculator! I'll definitely check that out before filing.

Yes, it's under the 'Calculate Your Benefits' section. Just remember it's an estimate - your actual benefit will be based on the wage data Washington ESD has on file from your employers.

Don't forget you'll also need to register with WorkSource Washington and create a reemployment plan. It's all part of the requirements to keep receiving benefits.

Is that something I do right away or can I wait a bit after filing my claim?

You should do it within the first few weeks of filing your claim. Washington ESD will send you information about the requirements and deadlines.

honestly the whole unemployment system in washington is better than a lot of other states. the benefit amounts are decent and they've improved the online system a lot over the past few years

Agreed, my sister lives in another state and her maximum benefit is way lower than what Washington offers.

Sure it's better than some states but that doesn't make the phone system any less frustrating when you actually need help.

Quick tip - when you do get your benefit amount determination, read it carefully and make sure everything looks right. If there are any errors in your wage data or calculation, you can appeal it.

How would I know if there's an error? Would it be obvious or do I need to check it against my own records?

Compare it to your pay stubs and W-2s. Look for missing quarters of wages or incorrect employer information. Sometimes employers don't report wages correctly.

I remember being stressed about the benefit amount when I first filed but honestly it worked out fine. The calculation is fair and the money helped a lot while I was job searching. Just focus on finding your next job and the benefits will take care of themselves.

That's reassuring to hear. I'm definitely stressed about the whole situation but trying to stay positive about finding something new.

You'll get through it! The job market is actually pretty good right now in Washington, especially compared to a few years ago.

Don't forget to sign up for WorkSource services too. They have job search resources and sometimes training programs that can help while you're collecting unemployment.

Just to add one more data point - I was making $24/hour and got $465/week in unemployment benefits. So you're probably looking at somewhere in that range, maybe a little less since your wage was slightly lower.

One last thing - if you end up needing to talk to Washington ESD and can't get through, I also used Claimyr when I had issues. Really worth it if you're stuck and need answers. The regular phone system is just impossible sometimes.

Good luck with your claim! Hopefully everything goes smoothly and you find a new job soon. Unemployment benefits definitely help bridge the gap but nothing beats having steady work again.