How to calculate unemployment pay rate - Washington ESD weekly benefit amount

Thanks! So they don't look at all 4 quarters, just the highest one? That makes more sense. I think my highest quarter was probably around $8,000 last year.

Actually it's a bit more complex than that. They look at all quarters in your base period but use the highest quarter for the weekly calculation. You also need to meet minimum earnings requirements across the whole base period.

Wait, that formula seems off. Wouldn't that give a really low number? If I made $8,000 in my highest quarter, that would be ($8,000 ÷ 26) × 0.0385 + $15 = about $27? That can't be right.

Sorry, I mixed up the formula! It's actually much simpler: Highest quarter wages ÷ 26. So $8,000 ÷ 26 = roughly $307 per week. The 0.0385 factor is used for something else in their calculations.

I had the same problem until I found claimyr.com - they help you get through to Washington ESD agents by calling for you. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Worth checking out if you're stuck waiting on hold all the time.

Interesting, I'll look into that. I just need to verify my base period wages with someone at Washington ESD since my online account isn't showing all my employers correctly.

That's what I'm worried about. One of my jobs was seasonal so I had a really good summer quarter but not much in fall/winter. Hopefully the two jobs combined will meet their requirements.

As long as you have earnings in at least 2 quarters and meet the minimum total, you should be fine. The seasonal work actually helps because it concentrates your earnings into fewer quarters.

This is so confusing! Why don't they use your most recent work? I was laid off in December but they won't count any of my wages from the second half of 2024?

There's an alternate base period option if your regular base period doesn't qualify you or gives you a really low benefit amount. It uses the 4 most recently completed quarters instead of the standard base period.

How do you request the alternate base period? Do you have to ask for it specifically when you file?

$11,700 ÷ 26 = $450 exactly, so that calculator was spot on. That's a decent weekly benefit amount - should help while you're job searching.

What calculator did you use? I'd like to try it with my numbers to get a rough estimate.

I just googled 'Washington unemployment calculator' and used the first one that came up. Can't remember the exact site but there were several options.

So even if I qualify for benefits, I might not get the full 26 weeks? How do they calculate the maximum number of weeks?

You can receive up to 26 weeks, but your total benefits can't exceed 30% of your total base period wages. So if you had low total earnings but a high quarter, you might run out of benefits before 26 weeks.

How did you get it fixed? I'm having the same issue - one of my W-2s isn't showing up in their system.

I had to mail them a copy of my W-2 and paystubs. Took forever but they eventually adjusted my claim. You can also fax the documents but calling to follow up was impossible until I used that Claimyr service someone mentioned.

Totally agree! I spent hours trying to figure out my base period and benefit amount. The Washington ESD website has the formulas buried in some PDF that's hard to find.

At least Washington has relatively high benefit amounts compared to some states. The max of $999/week is pretty good if you qualify for it.

This is really good advice! I wish I had known this before I filed. My benefit amount would have been $200 higher per week if I had waited one more month.

How do you know when it makes sense to wait? Is there a way to calculate both scenarios?

You'd need to compare your current base period with what it would be if you waited. If you had a really strong recent quarter that would replace a weak older quarter, it might be worth waiting.

Really? I got two weeks severance when I was laid off. Will that delay my benefits for two weeks?

It depends on how much you received and how they allocate it. You'll need to report it when you file your weekly claims. Sometimes they spread it out over multiple weeks.

How long did it take with Claimyr? I've been trying to reach Washington ESD for weeks about my wage discrepancy.

They got me connected within about an hour. Way better than the days I spent trying to call directly and getting nowhere.

Good point. I should probably read up on all the requirements before I file. Don't want to mess up and lose benefits over something preventable.

The job search requirements are pretty strict now. You need to make at least 3 job contacts per week and keep detailed records. Make sure you understand what counts as a valid job contact.

Thanks for the reminder about the ongoing requirements! I'm new to this whole process and focusing so much on calculating my benefit amount that I haven't really looked into what happens after I get approved. Are there any good resources for understanding all the weekly claim requirements? I want to make sure I don't accidentally mess something up once I start receiving benefits.