How to calculate what will my unemployment amount be in Washington ESD?

Washington ESD calculates your weekly benefit amount (WBA) using your highest quarter of earnings in your base period. They take that amount, divide by 26, then you get roughly 50% of your average weekly wage up to the state maximum. For 2025 the max is around $999/week but most people don't hit that.

You can actually get an estimate by logging into your SecureAccess Washington account and looking at your quarterly wages. Washington ESD uses the four quarters before you file, and they pick the highest one. The formula is: (highest quarter ÷ 26) × 0.5 = your weekly benefit amount.

Just a heads up - I've been trying to get through to Washington ESD for weeks to verify my benefit amount because my online account shows weird numbers. The phone system is impossible. I tried calling at 8am sharp every day for two weeks and either got busy signals or got disconnected after waiting on hold for hours.

The calculation is more complicated than people think. It's not just your highest quarter divided by 26. There are minimum wage requirements, you need sufficient hours worked, and they have to verify all your employers reported wages correctly. I'd recommend calling Washington ESD directly to get an accurate estimate.

I work similar hours at Target and my weekly benefit amount came out to about $290. But that was after they adjusted it because one of my previous employers didn't report my wages correctly. The whole process took forever to sort out.

Don't forget you also have to meet the job search requirements once you start receiving benefits. Three job search activities per week and keep detailed records. The benefit amount is just one part of the whole process.

The Washington ESD website has a benefit calculator somewhere but good luck finding it! Their site is a maze. I ended up just filing my claim and waiting to see what they calculated.

Based on your wages you're probably looking at somewhere between $250-300 per week, but that's just a rough estimate. The actual amount depends on which quarters they use and whether all your employers reported correctly.

I've been on unemployment twice and both times the amount was different even though I had similar wages. The first time I got $312/week, second time only $267/week because of how the quarters fell. It's really confusing.

Washington ESD also considers your total base period wages, not just the highest quarter. You need at least 680 hours of work and wages in at least two quarters to qualify. Your situation sounds like it should be fine though.

Just file your claim online and they'll send you a monetary determination letter within a few days. That will show exactly how they calculated your benefit amount and which quarters they used. Much easier than trying to figure it out beforehand.

The monetary determination is usually pretty accurate but if you have questions about it, definitely call Washington ESD. Though like others mentioned, getting through by phone is nearly impossible these days.

Don't stress too much about the exact amount until you get your determination. Focus on getting your claim filed properly and having all your documentation ready. The benefit amount will be what it is based on your wages.

I went through this exact same process last year working retail at similar wages. The key thing to remember is that Washington ESD uses your "base period" which is typically the first four of the last five completed quarters before you file. So if you file in January 2025, they'd look at July 2023 through June 2024. The timing of when you file can actually make a difference in which quarters they include. I'd recommend checking your pay stubs from your highest earning quarter and doing the rough math: (highest quarter wages ÷ 26) × 0.5. That should give you a ballpark figure to work with for budgeting purposes.