How to calculate unemployment benefits amount in Washington ESD - confused about the formula

Washington ESD uses your base year wages to calculate your weekly benefit amount. They look at your highest quarter earnings and divide by 26, but there's also a minimum and maximum. For 2025, the max weekly benefit is around $844 I think. You need to have worked in at least two quarters during your base year to qualify.

the calculation is confusing af, i tried to figure it out when i filed last month and gave up. just file and see what they give you lol

I had trouble reaching Washington ESD to get clarification on my benefit calculation when I filed. Kept getting busy signals and when I did get through, I'd get disconnected. Finally found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually got me connected to an agent who walked me through the whole calculation. They have a video demo too - https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ. Made the whole process so much easier than trying to call on my own.

Here's the basic Washington ESD formula: Take your two highest quarters from your base year, add them together, then divide by 52. That gives you your weekly benefit amount, but it can't be more than the state maximum or less than the minimum. You also need total base year wages of at least 680 times the minimum wage.

I'm dealing with the same thing right now. Filed my claim two weeks ago and still haven't heard back about my benefit amount. Starting to stress about whether I calculated my wages correctly on the application.

Let me break down the actual Washington ESD calculation step by step: 1. They determine your base year (first 4 of last 5 completed quarters) 2. Calculate total wages in your base year 3. Find your highest quarter wages 4. Check if you meet minimum requirements (wages in at least 2 quarters, total wages at least 680x minimum wage) 5. Your weekly benefit = highest quarter wages ÷ 26, subject to state min/max limits 6. Your total benefit amount = weekly benefit × number of weeks you can collect (up to 26 weeks usually

don't forget about taxes! they don't automatically take taxes out of unemployment so you might owe at the end of the year if you don't request withholding

the whole system is so confusing. why can't they just tell you upfront what you'll get instead of making everyone guess

Just wanted to update - I used Claimyr again last week to get connected about a different question and the agent was able to explain exactly how my benefit amount was calculated. Really wish I'd known about this service earlier instead of spending weeks trying to figure it out myself.

I think there might be an online calculator on the Washington ESD website somewhere. Haven't used it myself but maybe worth checking?

Make sure you report ALL your wages from last year, including that gig work. Washington ESD will cross-reference with tax records and if they find unreported wages it can delay your claim or cause overpayment issues later.

Been on unemployment twice in the past five years and both times the amount was different even though I thought I made similar wages. The calculation seems to depend on timing of when you file and which quarters they use as your base year.

I'm curious about that Claimyr service someone mentioned. Has anyone else used it? I've been trying to reach Washington ESD for weeks about my adjudication status.

One thing to keep in mind - your benefit calculation might be different if you have any disqualifying factors like being fired for misconduct or quitting without good cause. That can reduce your benefits even if your wages qualify you for a higher amount.

honestly the best thing to do is just file your claim and see what happens. all this calculating beforehand doesn't really matter if you don't qualify for other reasons

Based on what you described - warehouse job at $18/hour full time until August, then part-time retail - you should definitely qualify for benefits. Your warehouse wages alone probably put you over the minimum threshold. The gig work income will just add to your total.

Whatever you do, don't try to estimate or guess at your wage amounts when you file. Get your actual pay stubs or tax documents. Incorrect wage reporting can really mess up your claim.

The waiting is the worst part. Even after you file, it can take weeks to get your first payment while they verify everything. Make sure you have some savings to get by in the meantime.

One last tip - if you do have questions about your benefit calculation after you file, that Claimyr service I mentioned earlier can save you a lot of time and frustration trying to reach Washington ESD directly. The agents they connect you with can walk through your specific calculation and explain any adjustments.

Good luck with your claim! The calculation stuff is confusing but once you get approved and start receiving benefits, it becomes much clearer how they arrived at your weekly amount.