How much unemployment will I get if I make $400 a week in Washington?

Thanks! That's actually higher than I expected. Do they count gross pay or net pay for the calculation?

It's based on gross wages that your employer reports to Washington ESD. Make sure your employer is actually reporting your wages correctly - sometimes there are issues with that.

So if I've only been working 8 months, would I even qualify? I'm worried I don't have enough work history.

You need to have earned at least $1,000 in your base period to qualify. With $400/week for 8 months you should be fine, but the base period calculation can be tricky depending on when you started working.

Interesting, I've never heard of Claimyr before. Did it actually help you get accurate information about your benefits?

Yeah, I was able to get my exact weekly benefit amount confirmed and ask about my base period. Much better than trying to call Washington ESD directly and getting busy signals.

How much does that service cost though? Seems like it might be expensive.

I found it worth it considering how much time I was wasting trying to get through on my own. Check out claimyr.com for more details.

Close but not quite. It's based on your actual reported wages, and quarters don't always line up perfectly with your work schedule. Plus there are other factors like whether you're able and available for work.

This is so confusing. Why can't they just make it a simple percentage of your wages?

Good luck getting through to anyone at Washington ESD by phone. I tried calling for weeks and never got through.

That's why I mentioned the benefit calculator first. At least it gives you a ballpark figure while you're trying to reach someone.

Smart to plan ahead. Just remember you also have to actively look for work and report your job search activities when you file weekly claims.

Yeah I heard about that requirement. Do you know how many jobs you have to apply for each week?

It's usually 3 job search activities per week, but it can vary depending on your situation. Washington ESD will tell you your specific requirements when you file.

Oh wow I didn't think about taxes. So if I get $190/week that's not what I'd actually take home?

Right, you'd owe federal and state taxes on the full amount. You can elect to have 10% federal tax withheld when you set up your claim.

This is why I hate the government. They tax you when you work, then tax you again when you're unemployed. It's ridiculous.

If your hours get cut you might qualify for partial unemployment benefits. Washington ESD has a formula for that too - you can still collect some benefits even if you're working reduced hours.

Really? I thought it was all or nothing. That's good to know!

Yeah partial benefits are a thing but the calculation gets even more complicated. You report your weekly earnings and they reduce your benefit amount accordingly.

Good point. I should probably start keeping better records of my pay stubs and work history just in case.

Definitely. Also keep any documentation about your job search activities if you do end up filing. Washington ESD can audit your claim and ask for proof.

Six weeks?! That's crazy. What was the adjudication about?

They said there was a question about my separation from my previous job even though I was clearly laid off. Had to submit a bunch of paperwork and wait for them to review it.

This is exactly why I used Claimyr when I had adjudication issues. Being able to actually talk to someone at Washington ESD made all the difference in getting my claim resolved quickly.

What if I get fired for poor performance? Would I still qualify?

That gets complicated. Washington ESD will investigate and determine if it was misconduct or just not being a good fit. Performance issues aren't automatically disqualifying but it depends on the circumstances.

I got fired for attendance issues and still qualified after appealing. It really depends on your specific situation and how your employer reports the separation.

Of course! I'd definitely be looking for work. I was just trying to understand the financial side of things.

Good to hear. Too many people think they can just collect benefits without actually trying to find a job. The system is there to help people who are actively seeking employment.

Yes, you have to register with WorkSourceWA within a certain timeframe after filing your claim. It's where you can track your job search activities and find job listings.

Thanks! I'll bookmark that site just in case I need it later.

Ugh, I didn't even think about that. My employer does provide health insurance. This is getting complicated.

Yeah, COBRA can be expensive. Sometimes it's worth looking into marketplace plans if you end up unemployed.

Thanks for the reminder. I'll definitely need to budget carefully if I ever have to rely on unemployment benefits.