How much unemployment will i get if i make $700 a week in Washington?

Oh wow I didn't know they used quarters instead of current pay. I've been at this job for about 8 months now. Does that mean they'd look at my previous lower paying job too?

Yes exactly. They'll look at all your wages from the base period, which is typically the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters. So if you had a lower paying job before, that could affect your benefit calculation.

That's actually not as bad as I thought. I do have one kid so that extra $25 would help. How do I prove dependency for that?

You'll need to provide documentation like tax returns showing you claim them as a dependent, or birth certificates. Washington ESD is pretty straightforward about it.

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

What do you mean by weird rules? I'm already worried about making rent.

The rules aren't weird, they're just complex. The base period calculation can be confusing but it's designed to use your most recent substantial earnings. If you've been working consistently at $700/week, your calculation should be fairly straightforward.

It's usually around $650 for 40 hours plus some overtime most weeks that gets me to $700. Good point about the overtime affecting the calculation.

Yeah exactly, around $540 take home. So unemployment would actually be close to what I normally take home then?

Pretty close yeah, maybe a bit less but not the huge drop you might expect. Don't forget you won't have payroll taxes taken out of unemployment benefits though.

The online calculator can be tricky. If you're filing now in 2025, your base period would typically be Q1 2024 through Q4 2024. You need your wage statements for those quarters.

I tried calling ESD to clarify the calculator but couldn't get through. Ended up using Claimyr to connect with an agent who walked me through it step by step. Made way more sense after talking to someone.

How many jobs do you have to apply for each week? I heard it was like 3 or something.

It's 3 job search activities per week, which can include applications, networking, interviews, job fairs, etc. You have to keep a log and submit it with your weekly claims.

It would definitely be a layoff, they're cutting positions due to reduced orders. Should be pretty straightforward then.

Good tip, I'll file right away. Is there a waiting period before you get paid?

There's typically a one-week waiting period before you can receive benefits. So you file immediately but your first payable week would be the second week of unemployment.

What kind of employer information do they need besides contact details?

Your last day of work, reason for separation, and wages for the last 18 months if you have them. They'll verify with employers but having the info speeds things up.

I don't think we get severance but I'll ask HR about it. Thanks for mentioning that.

Yeah that's what I'm worried about. My previous job paid like $450 a week so that would really hurt my calculation.

That's why it's based on your highest quarter. If you've been at the $700/week job for 8 months, you should have at least one full quarter at that wage level.

I have most of my recent pay stubs but might be missing some from earlier. Should I contact my employer for copies?

Yes, get whatever you can from your employer. You can also request a wage statement from Washington ESD that shows what they have on file for you.

That's reassuring to hear from someone with experience. How long did it take to get your first payment?

First time took about 2 weeks after filing, second time was faster, maybe 10 days. Depends on if your claim needs any additional review.

How long can you collect unemployment benefits in Washington?

Typically 26 weeks, but it can vary based on your earnings and the unemployment rate. Your maximum benefit amount is usually about 26 times your weekly benefit amount.

Wait, unemployment is taxed? I thought it was like a government benefit.

yep its taxable at federal level and washington doesnt have state income tax so just federal. you can elect to have 10% withheld when you file your claim.

How does that service work exactly? Do they just call for you?

Yeah they handle the calling and waiting, then connect you when an agent is available. Way better than sitting on hold for hours. Check out their demo video if you're interested.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful info. Feeling much better about the situation now. At least I know roughly what to expect.

Good luck with everything. The transition can be stressful but unemployment benefits will help bridge the gap while you find your next job.