How much unemployment will I get if I make $1,000 a week - Washington ESD calculation help

Thanks! I've been at this salary for about 8 months now. Does that mean they'd use quarters when I was making less at my previous job?

Exactly - they use a specific 4-quarter lookback period, so if you recently got this higher paying job, your benefit calculation might be based on lower previous wages.

That's way higher than I expected! So it's based on quarterly earnings not just weekly pay?

Exactly. They take your base period (first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters) and use the highest earning quarter for the calculation.

That's higher than I expected! So they look at quarterly earnings, not just my current weekly pay?

Exactly. They take your highest quarter earnings, divide by 26, and that's roughly your weekly benefit (with some additional calculations). Since you've been consistent at $13K per quarter, you should be near the max.

Thanks! So if I made $13,000 in my highest quarter that would be around $500/week in benefits?

Yes, that sounds about right. The exact formula is quarterly high earnings divided by 26, but there are caps and minimums.

Thanks! So it's not just a simple percentage of current wages? That's good to know about the base year calculation.

Yeah the base year thing confused me too when I first filed. They look at your earnings from 5 quarters ago through 2 quarters ago, not your most recent pay.

Thanks! So if I made $13,000 in my highest quarter, that would be $520 per week? That seems low compared to my regular salary.

That's about right. Washington's maximum weekly benefit is $844 for 2025, but most people get significantly less. Your calculation looks correct at $520 if that was your highest quarter.

The calculation depends on your specific earnings pattern. What was your highest quarter earnings amount?

i dont really remember exactly but probably around 7 or 8 thousand

That would put you at around $270-300 weekly benefit, so $235 sounds low. You might want to check if all your wages were properly reported.

Oh that makes more sense! So if I made $13,000 in my highest quarter, I'd get about $300/week?

Exactly. But at $1000/week, your quarterly earnings should be around $13,000 per quarter, so you'd likely qualify for a higher benefit amount.

That math seems off to me. I was making $800/week and got $462 in benefits. The calculation is way more complicated than just a simple percentage.

Yeah you're right, I was oversimplifying. There's also the weekly benefit formula and minimum thresholds involved.

That's helpful to know! How long did it take for your claim to get approved?

About 2 weeks, but I had all my paperwork ready and no issues with my employer.

That's still really good! Did you have any issues with your claim getting approved?

Nah, straightforward layoff so no issues. Just had to do the weekly claims and job search stuff.

Never heard of that but definitely bookmarking it just in case. The horror stories about trying to reach Washington ESD are terrifying.

Good to know there are options if I run into phone problems. Hopefully it's smooth sailing but better to be prepared.

I had the same problem getting through to Washington ESD. Found this service called Claimyr that actually got me connected to an agent in like 10 minutes. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me hours of calling.

seriously? I'm desperate at this point. did they charge you like crazy for that?

They focus on the value of actually reaching someone rather than endless calling. Check out claimyr.com - it's way better than sitting on hold for hours.

Ugh, I've heard the phone system is terrible. Did you ever get through to talk to someone?

Eventually I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get through. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Saved me so much frustration.

I'll check that out. Do I need my pay stubs or will tax documents work?

Either works, but pay stubs are more detailed if you have them. The quarterly earnings are what matter most.

Thanks! So there's a maximum they'll pay regardless of how much you made?

Correct. The maximum changes each year based on the state's average weekly wage. For 2025 it's $999 per week maximum.

You need to have earned at least $3,850 during your base year to qualify for Washington ESD benefits. If you've only worked 6 months, you might not meet the minimum requirements.

damn that sucks. guess ill have to see what happens when i file

What counts as a job search activity? Just applications or other stuff too?

Applications, networking events, job fairs, informational interviews, even some online courses. They have a full list on the WorkSourceWA website.

Make sure you keep detailed records! I got dinged for not having enough detail in my job search log even though I was applying everywhere.

How long did the adjudication take? I'm worried about delays if I do need to file.

About 6 weeks for me, but I eventually found this service called Claimyr that helped me get through to an actual Washington ESD agent. They have a website at claimyr.com and there's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Made the whole process way less stressful.

The maximum changes every year. For 2025 it's $844, but like I said, most people don't get the maximum. Your friend probably didn't have enough in his highest quarter to qualify for the max.

ah okay that makes sense. so even making $1000/week doesn't guarantee you get the max unemployment amount

This is super helpful! I started my job in March 2024, so I'm wondering if I'll have enough quarters to qualify for full benefits.

You'll need at least $1,000 in your base period to qualify, but with your salary you should be fine. The bigger issue might be that you won't have four full quarters of high earnings, so your benefit amount might be lower than expected.

File as soon as you're officially unemployed. There's a one-week waiting period anyway, so don't delay. You can file online through the Washington ESD website.

ok but what if I mess up the application? I'm terrified of giving wrong information and having to pay everything back later

Just be honest and accurate. If you make a mistake, you can usually correct it later. The important thing is to file promptly so you don't lose any potential benefits.

Have you tried calling first thing in the morning? I heard that's when they have the shortest wait times.

I've tried every time of day. The system just hangs up on you after being on hold forever.

I had the same problem until I found this service called Claimyr that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. It actually got me connected within a few hours.

Never heard of that before. Does it actually work or is it some kind of scam?

It's legit - they basically call Washington ESD for you and get you connected. I was skeptical too but it worked when I needed to clarify my benefit calculation.

how much does something like that cost though?

I'll definitely check out their calculator. Thanks for the real-world example!

The base year thing is so confusing. Why don't they just use your most recent earnings?

I think it's because they need time to verify earnings with employers. The lag gives them time to process everything properly.

Good point about taxes. I forgot unemployment is taxable.

Yeah I learned that the hard way. Owed like $2000 in taxes on my unemployment benefits.

What kind of documentation did they want? Just wondering what I should have ready.

pay stubs, separation notice from employer, sometimes they want tax forms. just keep everything

That range sounds reasonable. Even $750 would cover most of my essential expenses so that's reassuring.

Just remember it's taxable income too, so factor that in when budgeting.

Good point about taxes! I'll plan to set some aside.

what ended up happening with your claim? did you eventually get it sorted out?

Eventually yes, but it took an appeal and like 6 months total. The whole system is designed to wear you down so you give up.

The waiting is the worst part! Have you checked your SecureAccess Washington account to see if there are any issues flagged?

yeah checked like 10 times lol, just says 'claim under review' with no other details

Good point. I wasn't planning to work part-time but that's useful to know.

Yeah, you can earn up to about 1/3 of your weekly benefit amount without any reduction, then it's dollar-for-dollar after that.

6 weeks?? That's insane. What's taking so long with your claim?

They said they need to verify my separation reason with my employer but my employer hasn't responded to their requests. Meanwhile I can't pay my bills.

You can try contacting Washington ESD to ask about expediting the employer response. Sometimes they can move things along if the employer is being unresponsive.

That's really helpful to know! Did you have any trouble with the application process or was it pretty straightforward?

The application was fine, but I had to wait like 3 weeks for my first payment because they had to verify my employment. Make sure you have all your employer info ready.

Good point! I hadn't thought about that. Can you have taxes withheld automatically from unemployment payments?

yeah you can elect to have 10% withheld for federal taxes when you file your claim or change it later

That sounds about right for your income level. The exact amount will depend on your specific wage history, but you're in the ballpark.

Thanks! Now I just need to figure out how to actually get through to Washington ESD when I need to file. These stories about never getting through are scary.

That's really helpful, thanks! What caused the adjudication delay?

They needed to verify my employment dates with my previous employer. Took 6 weeks to get resolved.

6 weeks?? That's insane. I'm dealing with adjudication now and it's been 3 weeks already.

Good advice! I'll start gathering all my documents now.

Also screenshot your online application when you submit it. I had to resubmit mine because something glitched.

Good point. Do they automatically take taxes out or do you have to request it?

you have to request it when you file your initial claim. they can withhold 10% for federal taxes

I think we might get 2 weeks severance. Does that mean I can't file right away?

You can file right away but those 2 weeks might count as 'wages in lieu of notice' and could delay your first payment. Definitely worth asking Washington ESD about your specific situation.

I tried their calculator but it's confusing with all the quarter information. Do you know where I can find my quarterly wage statements?

You should be able to get those from your employer's HR department or payroll system. You can also request them from Washington ESD once you file your claim.

The online calculator never worked right for me either. I just had to wait until I filed and they calculated it officially.

Smart to research ahead of time. The key thing is making sure you file immediately if you do get laid off - there's no benefit to waiting.

What counts as a job search activity?

Applying for jobs, networking events, career fairs, interviews, even some online training courses. They have a list on the WorkSourceWA website.

And you have to keep detailed records of everything in your job search log. They can audit you at any time.

Thanks for the real-world perspective! I'll definitely file right away when it happens.

This is solid advice. I waited a week to file because I thought I might get another job quickly and regretted it when that didn't pan out.

I'll definitely save all the emails about the restructuring. They've been pretty transparent that it's budget cuts, not performance.

Smart move. Having that paper trail makes everything much smoother if there are any questions later.

Is that legit? I'm always suspicious of third-party services for government stuff.

It's legit - they just help you get through the phone queue. Check out their site at claimyr.com if you want to see how it works. Saved me so much frustration.

8 weeks?! How did you survive that long without income?

Had to borrow money from family and use credit cards. It was really stressful.

Same boat here. Had to get a food bank referral while waiting for benefits to start.

That's actually pretty generous compared to what I expected.

yeah but you still have to report all work and earnings on your weekly claim or you'll get in trouble for fraud

Absolutely correct. Always report any work, even if it's just a few hours. Washington ESD cross-references with employers.

Yes, Washington allows partial benefits if you're working reduced hours. They deduct 75% of your weekly earnings from your benefit amount, but you keep 25% of what you earn plus whatever benefit amount is left.

That's actually pretty generous compared to some states. Good to know for planning purposes.

Good point - I do some occasional consulting work. 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 weekly benefit is $700, you could earn up to $695 without any reduction.

Same here! My claim was stuck in adjudication for 6 weeks over something that should have taken 5 minutes to resolve.

Exactly. And good luck getting anyone on the phone to actually help you.

Oh wow, I hadn't even thought about health insurance yet. Thanks for the reminder!

Yeah the health insurance piece can be brutal. Definitely research your options BEFORE you need them.

That's really good to know. I thought you had to wait until your last day of work.

Nope, you can file as soon as you know your separation date. Just make sure to report it accurately.

47 times?? That's ridiculous. Was Claimyr worth it?

Absolutely. Got my adjudication issue resolved in one phone call after weeks of trying on my own.

I'm skeptical of services like that but honestly the Washington ESD phone system is so bad I might try it too.

That's a good conservative estimate. Thanks for the practical advice!

Yeah and remember you can only collect for 26 weeks maximum, so plan accordingly.

Good to know about the job search requirement. Is that 3 applications or 3 different activities?

3 different activities. Can include applications, networking, job fairs, etc. Keep a log of everything.

The WorkSourceWA website has tools to help track your job search activities automatically.

What was the hardest part of the process for you? I want to be prepared for potential issues.

Honestly just staying on top of the weekly claims and job search requirements. Missing a week can mess up your whole claim, so set reminders.

Good to hear another positive experience with that service. Seems like it's worth knowing about.

I keep seeing Claimyr mentioned in these threads. Must actually work if people keep recommending it.

Is that hard to keep up with? Seems like a lot of paperwork.

not really hard just annoying. you just have to remember to log everything or they can deny your claim

4 months for an appeal? That's completely unacceptable.

Tell me about it. I can't get any answers about when it'll be resolved either.

How did you get that fixed? Did you have to provide additional documentation?

I had to provide pay stubs showing my earnings for each quarter. Took about 3 weeks to get it straightened out but they did recalculate and gave me back pay for the difference.

I might have to try that. I've been trying to call Washington ESD for two weeks about my claim status and can never get through.

Yeah that's exactly why I used it. The regular phone system just hangs up on you after an hour of waiting.

I'm not planning to quit, just trying to understand the system in case something happens with layoffs.

Smart to plan ahead. Layoffs definitely qualify as long as it's not for misconduct on your part.

The first payment does take longer because they have to process everything and verify eligibility. Usually takes 2-3 weeks minimum even for straightforward claims.

2-3 weeks if youre lucky. mine took 7 weeks because of some stupid paperwork issue

I might get severance so that's important to know. Does it reduce the weekly benefit amount?

It can delay when benefits start rather than reducing the weekly amount. Depends on how it's structured.

How would I know if they contest it?

Washington ESD will send you a notice if there's a dispute. Then you might have to do a phone hearing to explain your side.

How much did it cost?

They don't charge you unless they actually get you connected, which I thought was fair. Way better than wasting weeks trying to call yourself.

Good reminder. I'll definitely have taxes withheld if I end up filing a claim.

Smart choice. Otherwise you might owe a big chunk in April.

26 weeks should be plenty of time to find something new hopefully.

Yeah, and if you find work quickly you can always stop claiming. No penalty for that.

I wasn't offered severance but that's good to know for anyone else reading this.

Yeah, it's one of those things they don't always explain clearly upfront.

I'll dig around and see if I can locate it. Thanks for all the help everyone!

Good luck! Hope you don't end up needing it but at least you'll be prepared.

That makes sense. Better to be consistent from the start.

Exactly. The system is picky about those weekly certifications.

Thanks for the recommendation. I might try it if I run into issues with my claim.

Definitely worth it if you get stuck. Way better than sitting on hold for hours.

Perfect summary. This thread has been incredibly helpful. Thank you all!

No problem. Hope everything works out for you.

Tell me about it! I spent hours trying to understand their base period calculation. Why can't they just use your most recent year of earnings like normal people would expect?

The lag time is actually to give employers time to report wages properly, but I agree it's frustrating when you've recently gotten a raise or promotion.

That's really good advice. How quickly do they usually process new claims?

If there are no issues, usually 2-3 weeks. But if they need to verify wages or if there's any complication, it can take much longer.

That's really helpful to know! What documentation did you need besides your termination notice?

I had my pay stubs for the last few months, my tax documents from the previous year, and my termination letter. Having everything organized definitely helped speed up the process.

I do have some stock vesting coming up. Should I wait to file until after that vests?

No, don't wait! File immediately when you're laid off. The stock vesting might affect future quarters but won't help your current claim since they use historical earnings.

I mentioned this earlier, but I used Claimyr to get through. They basically handle the calling for you and connect you when an agent is available. Saved me so much time and frustration.

How much does that cost though? I'm already worried about money if I get laid off.

It's worth checking out their website at claimyr.com - they have different options and the time savings alone made it worthwhile for me.

True, but it's still only temporary. The job search requirements are pretty strict too - you have to apply to a certain number of jobs each week and keep detailed records.

What are the job search requirements exactly? I should probably understand those too.

You need to make at least 3 job search contacts per week and keep a log of your activities. Washington ESD can audit your job search log at any time.

Good point. My company does offer severance packages. How does that work with unemployment timing?

Severance pay can delay your eligibility depending on how it's structured. If it's paid as a lump sum, it might not affect your benefits, but if it's paid out over time like regular wages, it could delay your claim start date.

Glad it's helpful for others too! It's definitely smart to understand the process before you need it.

That's really encouraging to hear about the timeline. Did you have to do anything special to avoid adjudication delays?

I think the key was being completely accurate and thorough in my initial application. I double-checked all my employment dates and wage information before submitting.

That's a good benefit amount! Gives me hope that Washington ESD actually does pay decent benefits when everything goes smoothly.

I looked for a calculator but couldn't find one. If you remember where it is, please share!

I think they took it down or moved it. Used to be easier to find.

Good tip! I'll definitely set up a Sunday reminder if I end up needing to file.

Yeah this is huge. I missed one week because I was traveling and it took forever to get it sorted out.

You can actually file your weekly claim on Saturday too, not just Sunday. Gives you a little flexibility.

Thanks for the encouragement! Hoping I won't need it but feeling more prepared now.

Good tip. What's the official website URL?

It's esd.wa.gov - always make sure it has the .gov domain

What day of the week do you have to file by?

you can file starting sunday for the previous week and you have until saturday night i think. but dont wait until the last minute

Yeah I learned this the hard way trying to file on Sunday evening and the site was completely down.

Sunday and Monday evenings are the worst times. Early morning is usually pretty reliable.

That's something I hadn't thought about. How does that work exactly?

You can usually continue your employer plan through COBRA but it's expensive. Washington state has good options through the health exchange though.

Good to know. Is the appeal process complicated?

It's mostly paperwork but you want to be thorough and include any supporting documents. Sometimes you have to go to a hearing too.

I'm definitely going to look into that if I need to file. The stories about waiting on hold for hours are pretty discouraging.

Yeah it's a game changer when you actually need to talk to someone. The video demo explains it pretty well.

Perfect, that gives me a good ballpark to work with. Thanks everyone for all the helpful information!

It's still 3 job search activities per week, but they can include more than just applications - networking, job fairs, skills training, etc. all count.

ok good, I was worried they'd increased it. 3 per week is manageable.

Yes, all wages reported on your W-2 count toward the benefit calculation, including bonuses and commissions. That commission check should help your benefit amount.

Awesome! That's good news then. Might end up with more than I expected.

There's an alternate base period they can use if you don't qualify under the regular base period. It uses the most recent four quarters instead. But they try the regular base period first.

That makes sense. So they'll automatically use whichever base period gives me benefits, or the higher amount?

They'll use the regular base period if you qualify. You'd need to specifically request the alternate base period if the regular one doesn't work.

Same here! I never thought I'd need to know this stuff but here we are. Better to be prepared I guess.

exactly. job security isn't what it used to be, especially in tech

Oh good point! I think I'm getting 2 weeks severance. Does that mean I have to wait 2 weeks to file?

It depends on how the severance is structured. If it's paid as continuation of salary, you might have to wait. If it's a lump sum, it might not affect your claim timing. Best to ask Washington ESD directly.

Glad we could help! Remember to file as soon as you're eligible and don't wait. The sooner you file, the sooner you can start receiving benefits.

Will do! And I'm definitely bookmarking that Claimyr thing in case I need to actually talk to someone at Washington ESD.

Great advice! I'll start a spreadsheet to track everything. Better safe than sorry.

Exactly! Organization is key when dealing with any government agency. It'll save you headaches later.

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

Good luck with everything. Hope you don't need to file but at least you'll be prepared if you do.