Washington ESD max unemployment benefit amount 2024 - did anyone else get the increase?

Thanks! I was worried there was some mistake. Good to know it actually went up that much.

wow that's a lot more than I'm getting, mine is only like $650

Have you tried using Claimyr? I found it on claimyr.com and they have this video demo https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. It actually got me connected to an ESD agent when I needed to check my benefit calculation.

Never heard of that, is it legit? I'm desperate at this point.

Yeah it's real, they basically handle the calling and waiting for you. Saved me hours of frustration.

Good point, I did elect to have taxes taken out so that explains why my deposit is less than $999.

ugh i forgot about taxes, no wonder my deposit seemed low

That's correct. Your weekly benefit amount is calculated using your highest quarter earnings in your base period. The minimum is $295 and maximum is $999 for 2024.

Thanks for explaining that. I wish I had known how the calculation worked before I filed.

It's typically set for the whole benefit year. The state recalculates it annually based on average wages from the previous year.

ok good to know, thanks

Try that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier. I was skeptical at first but it actually worked. Got through to ESD in like 20 minutes instead of calling all day.

Really? I'll check it out, getting pretty desperate here.

Yeah, claimyr.com - they show you exactly how it works in their demo video too.

You can check your monetary determination letter that Washington ESD sent when your claim was approved. It breaks down exactly how they calculated your weekly benefit amount.

I think I lost that paperwork, can I get another copy?

Yes, you should be able to access it through your SecureAccess Washington account or request a copy from ESD.

That makes sense. I had a pretty high-paying job before I got laid off so I guess that's why I qualified for the max.

Yeah, you need substantial earnings in your base year to hit the maximum. Consider yourself lucky!

That's per WEEK. So if you qualify for the maximum, you could receive up to $999 every week while on unemployment, subject to your maximum benefit amount for the year.

wow that's way more than I thought unemployment paid

Washington has one of the higher unemployment benefits in the country, but the cost of living here is also pretty high.

Regular unemployment benefits in Washington can last up to 26 weeks, regardless of your weekly benefit amount. Your total benefit amount is calculated as your weekly benefit times 26, but it can't exceed 30% of your base period wages.

Thanks, that helps me plan better.

Yeah the site has been glitchy lately. I usually try to file early in the morning when there's less traffic.

Good tip, I'll try that next week.

The $999 maximum applies to regular unemployment insurance claims. Other programs like standby or workshare might have different calculations, but for standard UI claims, $999 is the weekly max for 2024.

Got it, thanks for clarifying that.

Yeah it's definitely gone up over the years. Still not enough to cover what I was making before but better than nothing.

True, unemployment is supposed to be temporary assistance, not full salary replacement.

How long does a redetermination usually take? I think mine might be calculated wrong too.

In my experience, several weeks to a couple months. The adjudication process takes forever these days.

That's why I used Claimyr to get through and ask about mine directly. Sometimes talking to someone can clear things up faster than waiting for the formal process.

Correct. $999 is the maximum weekly benefit amount for regular unemployment insurance in Washington for 2024. You're getting the highest amount possible.

Perfect, just wanted to double-check. Thanks everyone for the helpful info!

Glad it helped! I was worried there was an error with my claim but sounds like everything is normal.

Same here. It's nice to have confirmation from people who actually know what they're talking about.

Good advice. I filed mine away and forgot about it, but it probably has all the details I need.

Yep, it shows your base period wages, how they calculated your weekly amount, and what your maximum total benefits will be.

Good reminder. I got so focused on the money I almost forgot about keeping up with my job search log.

Yeah, Washington ESD is pretty strict about the job search requirements. Make sure you're documenting everything properly.

Totally agree! This community is great for getting real answers from people who've been through it.

For sure. Way more helpful than trying to decode the official Washington ESD website sometimes.