How much will I get for unemployment benefits in Washington state?

That would be a huge relief if it's that much. Do you know what the maximum weekly amount is?

The maximum weekly benefit amount in Washington is $999 for 2025, but you need pretty high quarterly earnings to hit that cap.

It's not quite that simple. Washington uses a formula based on your base period earnings, not just half your regular salary.

oh ok my bad, i was just going off what my friend told me when he got laid off

How long does it usually take to get that determination letter?

Usually within a week or two if there are no issues with your claim. Make sure you file your weekly claims even while waiting for the determination.

Never heard of that service before. Did it actually work for you?

Yeah, got through to someone in about 20 minutes instead of the usual hours of busy signals. Was worth it just for the peace of mind.

How much does something like that cost though? I'm already tight on money.

I worked the full year consistently so hopefully that helps with the calculation.

That should definitely work in your favor. Consistent earnings usually result in higher benefit amounts.

Oh no, I didn't even think about taxes. Can you have them withhold taxes from the payments?

Yes, you can elect to have 10% federal taxes withheld when you file your weekly claims. I'd recommend it.

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

That's what I'm worried about. How long did your claim take to get approved?

About 3 weeks, but I know some people waiting longer. The phone system is a nightmare - always busy or they hang up on you.

That's exactly why I mentioned Claimyr earlier. Sometimes you just need to talk to a real person at Washington ESD to get things moving.

I already filed online yesterday. Should I be doing anything else while I wait?

Start your job search activities and keep detailed records. You'll need to report job search contacts when you file your weekly claims.

Have you tried calling first thing in the morning? I heard that's when you have the best chance.

tried everything... morning, lunch, different numbers. always the same busy signal or they just hang up after waiting forever

I had the same problem until someone told me about that Claimyr service. Finally got to talk to someone at Washington ESD and got my issue resolved. Sometimes you just need to try a different approach.

I don't have any other income right now, just the unemployment. Does that mean I'll get the full amount?

Yes, as long as you're actively seeking work and meet all the other eligibility requirements, you should get your full weekly benefit amount.

Good point, I'll make sure to set a reminder. When do weekly claims need to be filed?

You can file starting Sunday for the previous week, and you have until Saturday to get it in. But don't wait - file as early as possible each week.

That's really helpful to know the actual percentage. So if my highest quarter was around $21,000, that would be about $800 weekly?

That math sounds about right. You might end up closer to $750-800 range depending on the exact calculation, but you're in the ballpark.

Thanks for the encouragement. I'm trying to stay positive and use this time productively.

Exactly the right attitude. I was laid off 6 months ago and just started a new job last week that pays even better than my old one.

I don't have any of those debts, so hopefully that won't be an issue for me.

Then you should be good. Just keep an eye on your monetary determination when it comes and make sure everything looks correct.