Washington ESD unemployment benefit amounts for 2024 - how much can I expect?

The maximum weekly benefit amount in Washington for 2024 is $999 per week. The minimum is around $295. Your weekly benefit amount (WBA) is calculated based on your highest earning quarter from your base period, which is typically the first 4 of your last 5 completed quarters before filing. With a $55k salary, you'd probably qualify for somewhere in the middle range, maybe $600-750 per week depending on how your earnings were distributed.

I filed in January 2024 and my weekly benefit is $847. I was making about $65k before I got laid off. The process took about 3 weeks to get approved but now I get paid every Tuesday for my weekly claims. One thing to know is you have to actively look for work and report your job search activities.

Just a heads up - getting through to Washington ESD on the phone is nearly impossible right now. I've been trying for weeks to get answers about my claim status. If you need to talk to someone, I found this service called Claimyr that actually got me through to an agent. You can check it out at claimyr.com - they have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me hours of frustration.

The 2024 rates are definitely higher than previous years. I think the max went up from like $844 in 2023 to $999 now. But remember you also have to pay federal taxes on unemployment benefits unless you choose to have them withheld. That caught me off guard when I filed my taxes.

For anyone calculating their potential benefits, here's the basic formula Washington ESD uses: They take your highest quarter earnings from your base period, divide by 26, then apply some adjustments. The exact calculation can be found on the Washington ESD website under benefit calculators. Your base period matters a lot - it's not just your most recent earnings.

been getting unemployment since march, getting $734 a week. not bad but definitely not enough to cover all my bills. the job market is rough right now so im grateful for what i can get

Make sure you understand the difference between gross and net benefits too. The amounts everyone is quoting are gross - before any taxes or other deductions. Your actual deposit will be less if you choose tax withholding.

One more thing about benefit amounts - if you work part-time while collecting unemployment, they'll reduce your weekly benefit based on how much you earn. There's a formula for that too but basically any earnings over $5 per week will reduce your benefit amount.

Does anyone know if the benefit amounts change during the year or are they set for all of 2024? I'm thinking about waiting a few months before filing if there might be increases.

Just want to add that if you qualify for the maximum $999/week, that's actually pretty decent compared to other states. Some states max out at like $400-500. Washington has always been more generous with unemployment benefits.

For what it's worth, I had trouble getting accurate benefit estimates from the Washington ESD website calculator. The actual amount I received was about $50 higher than what it estimated. So take any online calculators with a grain of salt.

Quick update on the Claimyr thing I mentioned earlier - I used it again this week to check on a question about my job search requirements and got through in like 20 minutes. Normally it takes hours or days to reach Washington ESD. Definitely worth it if you need to actually talk to someone there.

Something else to consider - your benefit amount also determines your eligibility for other programs. Some job training programs and assistance are only available if you're receiving a certain minimum benefit amount.

MAKE SURE you file as soon as you're eligible! Benefits are NOT retroactive to when you lost your job - they only start from when you actually file your claim. I learned this the hard way and lost out on 2 weeks of benefits.

The monetary determination letter you get after filing will show your exact weekly benefit amount and your maximum total benefits for the year. Keep that letter safe - you'll need it for various things during your claim period.

With a $55k salary you should definitely qualify for benefits. Just make sure you have your employment history and reason for separation documented when you file. Washington ESD is pretty thorough about verifying everything.

One last thing - sign up for direct deposit when you file! Paper checks take forever and sometimes get lost in the mail. Direct deposit usually hits your account every Tuesday if you file your weekly claim on time.

Good luck with everything! The process can be overwhelming at first but it gets routine once you understand the weekly filing requirements. Don't hesitate to ask questions here if you run into issues.

Just remember that unemployment is temporary assistance, not a long-term solution. Use the time to improve your skills, network, and find an even better job than the one you lost. That's the real value of the program.