How much will my unemployment be - Washington ESD benefit calculation questions

Thanks! So they look at my highest quarter, not my annual salary? That's confusing. How do I know what my base year is?

Your base year is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file. So if you file now in 2025, it would be Q1 2024 through Q4 2024. They use your highest quarter from that period.

Wait, that seems like a really low amount. If I made $13,000 in my highest quarter, that would only be about $193 per week? That can't be right.

You're doing the math wrong. It's (highest quarter / 13) * 0.0385 = weekly benefit. So ($13,000 / 13) * 0.0385 = about $38 per week, but that's way below the minimum so you'd get $295.

That math doesn't look right either. I think the actual formula is more complex than that.

Really? You actually got through to a real person? How much does that service cost?

It was worth it for me because I was so confused about everything. The agent was able to look at my specific wage history and tell me exactly what my weekly amount would be before I even got my first payment.

I'm skeptical of any service that charges to help with unemployment stuff. Isn't that information supposed to be free?

Where exactly is this calculator? I looked all over the Washington ESD website and couldn't find it.

It's buried in the 'Before You Apply' section. But honestly, it's easier to just apply and let them calculate it for you. You'll see your weekly benefit amount once your claim is processed.

But I need to know for budgeting purposes! I can't just wait and hope it's enough to cover my bills.

I get that you're stressed, but the calculation really is complicated. It depends on your specific wage history and there are different formulas for different situations.

I know, right? It shouldn't be this hard to get a basic estimate.

The system is designed to be confusing. They don't want people to know how much they'll get until after they've already applied.

That's not right either. It's definitely based on your highest single quarter, not two quarters combined.

Maybe it changed? I filed in 2023 and that's how they calculated mine.

Wow, that's way less than I was hoping for. I guess I better start applying for jobs immediately.

Yeah, don't count on unemployment to cover all your expenses. It's temporary assistance, not a salary replacement.

I'm starting to think that might be my best option. The conflicting information here is making me more confused.

Still seems sketchy to me. Why would you pay for something that should be free information?

Because getting through to ESD normally is nearly impossible. At least with Claimyr you can actually talk to someone who knows what they're talking about.

This is exactly what I was afraid of. I don't want to be left guessing about something so important.

Right? It's like they intentionally make it confusing so people don't ask questions.

Good to know about the maximum. Definitely won't be getting anywhere near that on my salary.

Wait, is it really $999? I thought it was lower than that.

You're right, I should just bite the bullet and apply. I'm probably wasting time trying to calculate it myself.

Exactly. And even if it's less than you hoped, at least you'll know what you're working with.

Okay, I'm convinced. I'll look into Claimyr since so many people are recommending it. Thanks everyone for the help!

Good luck! Let us know how it goes.

That's good to know. I guess there's always a chance it could be higher than expected too.

Yeah, it doesn't happen often but it's possible. Just keep checking your account for updates.

Thanks for the reality check. I appreciate everyone's input, even if it wasn't the simple answer I was hoping for.

Sorry we couldn't give you a straight answer, but that's just how confusing the system is. Hope you get it figured out soon.