How much unemployment will i get if i make $1,000 a week in Washington ESD

Thanks! So they don't just take a percentage of my current weekly pay? That's confusing.

Nope, it's based on your quarterly earnings history. They look at your base period which is the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters before you file.

The formula is more complex than that. Washington ESD takes your highest quarter earnings, divides by 26, then applies their benefit calculation. There's definitely a maximum weekly benefit amount too.

yeah thats what i meant, its not straightforward at all

That's exactly what I'm worried about - not being able to get through to anyone. How does Claimyr work?

They basically handle the calling process for you so you don't have to sit on hold for hours or keep getting disconnected. Worth checking out if you need to actually talk to someone at Washington ESD.

Is that one of those services that charges you? Seems too good to be true

They do charge but honestly after wasting 3 days trying to call myself it was worth every penny. Sometimes you just need to talk to a real person about your specific situation.

So if my highest quarter was $13,000 (which would be typical for me), that would be $13,000/26 = $500 per week?

Exactly! And since $500 is less than the $999 maximum, you'd get $500 per week assuming you meet all other eligibility requirements.

That's a common misconception. It's not a simple percentage of your weekly pay. Washington ESD uses your quarterly earnings history, not your most recent weekly wage.

That seems unnecessarily complicated. Why not just base it on your current pay?

Because your recent pay might not reflect your typical earnings. The quarterly system smooths out fluctuations and seasonal work patterns.

That's exactly what I'm afraid of! Did you eventually get your questions answered?

eventually yeah but it took weeks of trying. the whole system is broken if you ask me

Good point. Winter is always slower for us. Would that hurt my benefit amount?

It could, depending on when you file. That's why it's important to understand your base period - it's the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters when you file your claim.

I used them and they're legit. Not sketch at all - they just handle the calling process so you don't have to waste your whole day on hold. Check out their demo video if you're curious.

I was skeptical too but tried Claimyr last month when I couldn't get through about my adjudication issue. Worked great and I finally got to talk to someone who could explain what was happening with my claim.

Yeah that's what worries me. Some quarters I make way more than others.

yeah exactly, timing matters a lot with when you file your claim

I didn't know about that requirement. What counts as a job search activity?

Applying for jobs, attending job fairs, networking activities, skills training. You have to document everything in their system or risk losing benefits.

With $900/week you'd probably be looking at around $450-475 weekly benefit, assuming consistent earnings. Same calculation applies.

I tried their calculator but it asks for quarterly earnings and I don't have all that info handy. Might be worth trying Claimyr to get a real person to walk through it.

Exactly. Sometimes you need human help to understand your specific situation, especially with seasonal work patterns.

Ugh, didn't think about taxes. So it's even less than the benefit amount?

Yes, you'll owe federal and state income taxes on unemployment benefits. Plan accordingly.

That's frustrating. Did you eventually figure out your benefit calculation?

yeah but only after multiple calls and a lot of confusion. wish there was an easier way to get clear info upfront

Good to know. So even if I know a layoff is coming, I can't file until it actually happens?

Correct. You have to be unemployed through no fault of your own to qualify. But file as soon as you're laid off to minimize the gap in income.

It's definitely more complex than most people expect. The key is understanding that it's based on your earning history, not your current wage.

That's reassuring at least. 26 weeks should be enough time to find something new in construction.

Just remember you'll need to actively search for work and document your efforts. Washington ESD takes the job search requirements seriously.

Thanks for all the advice everyone! This has been really helpful for planning ahead.

Exactly - better to know now than scramble to figure it out if something happens. Thanks again everyone!