How much would I get unemployment benefits in Washington state?

That's actually higher than I expected! Do they look at gross or net income when calculating?

It's based on gross wages reported by your employer. They use a specific formula - roughly 3.85% of your total wages in your highest quarter.

How long did it take from filing to actually receiving your first payment?

About 3 weeks for me, but that was after everything was approved. The waiting period is usually the first week you file.

I've been steadily employed for the past 3 years so I should be good there. Just switched companies 18 months ago for better pay.

Perfect, then you'll definitely qualify and probably get a decent benefit amount with that salary history.

How much does that service cost? Seems like it might be worth it if the phone system is as bad as everyone says.

Honestly I was skeptical at first but after spending literally days trying to get through on my own, it was worth every penny. Check out claimyr.com for the details.

Good to know this exists! I'll keep it in mind if I need to reach someone at Washington ESD.

Did you have any issues with the online system? I've heard mixed things about it.

nah worked fine for me. just have your employment info ready and your SSN

Interesting, I didn't know that. So if I get a raise right before getting laid off, it won't help my unemployment amount?

Exactly. They look at a specific base year period, usually 12-15 months before you file. Recent wages don't count for the current claim.

This is why the whole system is messed up. You could be making way more money recently but still get benefits based on old lower wages.

Yeah that's exactly why I'm trying to understand what I'd be looking at. Better to be prepared.

Smart thinking. I'm bookmarking this thread in case I need the info later.

What counts as a job search activity? Just applying to jobs or other things too?

Applications, networking events, career fairs, informational interviews, even some training programs. Washington ESD has a full list on their website.

They made me provide detailed logs when they audited my claim. Don't slack on keeping records!

Good call. How often do they pay out? Weekly?

You file weekly claims but payments are usually processed within 2-3 business days after you submit each week.

I'll check that out to get a rough idea. Thanks for mentioning it!

Yeah I'm definitely not expecting to replace my full salary. Just want to know what I'm working with for planning purposes.

Smart approach. I wish I had planned better when it happened to me.

Is it really that bad? I haven't had to call them yet but everyone seems to complain about it.

It's absolutely terrible. High call volume message, then you wait for 2+ hours just to get disconnected. Claimyr cuts through all that nonsense.

So I won't get paid for the very first week but I should still file?

Correct. You don't get benefits for your first week but you need to file to start the process. Don't wait or you'll lose that time.

I don't have any dependents so that won't apply to me, but good to know for others reading this.

Tell me about it. I barely scraped by on unemployment even with the maximum benefit amount.

Exactly! And then they wonder why people struggle to find work when the benefits don't even cover basic expenses.

That's true, I've heard horror stories from friends in other states getting like $200 a week maximum.

How does severance affect things? Does it delay when you can start collecting?

It can depending on how it's paid out. If it's allocated to specific weeks it might delay benefits for those weeks. Washington ESD will determine this when you file.

What qualifies as a 'suitable' job offer? Does it have to be in the same field or same pay level?

Generally it should be comparable to your skills and experience, but the requirements get less strict the longer you're unemployed. Washington ESD has specific guidelines on their website.