How much will I get for unemployment benefits in Washington - need help calculating

Thanks! That helps. I think my highest quarter was around $14,500 so that would put me at maybe $558 per week if I did the math right?

That sounds about right. Keep in mind they also look at your total base period earnings to make sure you qualify - you need at least $6,240 total and earnings in at least two quarters.

Have you tried the online benefit calculator on their website? It's not perfect but gives you a rough estimate without having to call.

yeah i tried that but it keeps asking for specific wage info that i dont have access to anymore since my employer already cut off my access to payroll systems

interesting, never heard of that before. is it legit? dont want to get scammed when im already stressed about money

Yeah it's legitimate. They don't ask for your personal info or anything sketchy. Just helps you navigate their phone system more efficiently. I used it to get clarification on my benefit amount calculation.

I've used Claimyr too. Really does work for getting through to ESD when you need specific answers about your claim.

That makes sense. I did get a bonus in Q2 last year so that might be my highest quarter. How do I find out exactly what Washington ESD has on file for my wages?

You can request a wage and benefit statement from ESD through your online account. It shows all the quarterly wage reports your employers submitted.

I feel you. The whole process is overwhelming when you're already dealing with unemployment stress.

I know it's frustrating but the formula is actually designed to be fair - it's based on what you actually earned rather than just a flat rate for everyone.

Oh wow I didn't even think about taxes. Can I have them withhold taxes automatically?

Yes, you can elect to have 10% federal tax withheld when you file your claim or change it later through your online account.

Washington state doesn't have income tax so you only need to worry about federal taxes on UI benefits.

That's good to know. I'm hoping I won't need benefits for long but it's reassuring to know there's a decent safety net.

Just remember the max is only if you were earning really high wages. Most people get somewhere in the middle range.

I already filed my initial claim but I'm still waiting for them to determine my benefit amount. How long does that usually take?

Usually 2-3 weeks if there are no issues with your claim. Sometimes longer if they need to verify employment or if there's an adjudication issue.

That makes sense. I've been at the same job for 3 years so my earnings should be pretty consistent quarter to quarter.

Consistent earnings actually make the calculation easier to predict. You won't have weird fluctuations throwing off the numbers.

How much do you need to earn to qualify for the full 26 weeks?

I think it's around 30 times your weekly benefit amount in total base period wages, but don't quote me on that. The ESD website has the exact formula.

Yeah it's 30x your weekly benefit amount OR 1.25x your highest quarter earnings, whichever is less. So if you qualify for a decent weekly amount you'll probably get the full 26 weeks.

Good to know! I'll definitely review everything when I get my determination.

How long do you have to appeal if there's an error?

I think it's 30 days from the date on the determination letter. Don't wait if you spot an error.

I might try that if I can't figure out my benefit amount from the online tools. Thanks for the suggestion!

claimyr helped me too when i had wage issues on my claim. much better than sitting on hold for hours

You're right, I'm probably overthinking it. I just like to plan ahead but I should wait for the official numbers.

Planning ahead is smart but you're doing the right thing by filing everything on time. The money will come once they process your claim.