Washington ESD unemployment benefit amounts - how much is unemployment pay?

Thanks! So if my highest quarter was around $8,000 that would be about $307 per week? That seems like it would help cover my basic expenses.

Yeah that sounds about right. Just remember you'll need to file weekly claims and do job search activities to keep getting benefits.

Oh wow I didn't know about that second requirement. I think I should be okay since I've been working steadily for 2 years but good to know.

Most people don't realize there are multiple requirements. The Washington ESD website has a benefit calculator but it's not always accurate for people with irregular hours.

Thanks! So if my highest quarter was around $15,000, I'd get about $575 per week? That's actually better than I expected.

That sounds about right. Just remember you can collect for up to 26 weeks if you remain eligible and continue filing your weekly claims.

I had the same problem until I found Claimyr. It's a service that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents. You can check it out at claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. It saved me hours of calling.

I tried calling at 8 AM sharp when they open and still couldn't get through. The system is just overloaded.

What's the difference between regular unemployment and standby? I'm not sure which one I'd be eligible for.

Standby is for temporary layoffs where your employer expects to bring you back. Regular UI is for permanent job loss. The restaurant industry uses standby a lot for seasonal slowdowns.

yep and if you're on standby you dont have to register with WorkSource or do the job search stuff which is nice

No, it's definitely based on your highest quarter. You might want to check your monetary determination letter to see how Washington ESD calculated your benefit amount.

oh maybe thats why mine seemed low then. i had one really good quarter but the others were part time

That's a good amount! I don't think I'll get anywhere near that much but even $300-400 would help a lot.

Tech salaries definitely help with the benefit calculation. Those of us in lower-wage jobs don't get as much but it's still better than nothing.

I had the same problem last month. Couldn't get through no matter when I called. Then someone told me about Claimyr (claimyr.com) - they basically call Washington ESD for you and get you connected to an actual person. I was skeptical but it actually worked. There's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

Really? That sounds too good to be true. How much does it cost?

It's worth it when you consider how much time you save not sitting on hold for hours. I got through to Washington ESD in like 15 minutes versus the days I spent trying on my own.

I definitely meet those requirements. I've been working steady for the past two years at the same company.

what if you worked in another state before moving to washington? does that count toward your base period?

Washington ESD can combine wages from other states through the Interstate Connection program, but you need to provide your wage information from the other state when you file your claim.

Good point! I forgot about that. So if I get $575 a week, I should probably have them withhold the 10% to avoid a surprise tax bill next year.

Exactly. It's easier to handle it upfront than deal with a big tax bill when you file your return.

Wait, so unemployment benefits are taxable? I had no idea!

YES they're taxable as regular income on your federal return. You'll get a 1099-G form at the end of the year showing how much you received.

That's correct. A lot of people forget about this and get surprised at tax time. It's worth setting aside some money or having the 10% withheld.

That's really helpful to know! It gives me a better idea of what to expect.

There's usually a one-week waiting period for your first payment. After that, payments are typically processed within 2-3 business days if you file your weekly claim on time.

i've been filing weekly but still nothing. maybe i should call them but everyone says its impossible

This is exactly why I used Claimyr when I had payment issues. They got me connected to someone at Washington ESD who could see what was holding up my payments. Turned out there was a small issue with my job separation that needed clarification.

That makes sense. I was full-time year-round so hopefully that won't be an issue for me.

Yeah you should be fine then. The calculation is pretty straightforward for regular full-time workers.

I sometimes pick up shifts at other restaurants. Would that count as income I need to report?

Absolutely! Any work you do while collecting benefits needs to be reported on your weekly claim. They'll reduce your benefit amount based on how much you earn.

The good news is you can earn up to your weekly benefit amount before they start reducing it dollar for dollar. So if you get $300/week, you can earn up to $300 without losing benefits.

The learning curve is definitely steep. I found the WorkSource website helpful for understanding the job search requirements.

If you're having trouble with specific questions about your claim, that Claimyr service I mentioned earlier can help you get through to an agent who can explain your specific situation.

Yes, the maximum weekly benefit amount is adjusted annually. It was $929 in 2024 and went up to $999 in 2025. The calculation method stays the same though.

Good to know it went up! Even though most people don't hit the maximum, it's nice that they adjust it for inflation.

I always report my tips properly on my taxes. Should I be worried about anything specific?

just make sure your employer is reporting everything correctly too. sometimes there are discrepancies between what you report and what they report to washington esd

That's really close to what I calculated for myself! It's reassuring to know we're probably doing the math correctly.

The calculation is usually pretty accurate. Just remember you have to meet all the other requirements too - available for work, actively searching, etc.

Yes, overtime pay is included in your base period wages. Washington ESD looks at all wages reported by your employer, including overtime, bonuses, and commissions.

Awesome! That should help my weekly benefit amount then since I worked tons of overtime in my highest quarter.

How does that work exactly? Do they just call for you or what?

They handle the calling and waiting, then connect you when an agent is available. Check out their demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ - it explains the whole process.

26 weeks seems like a reasonable amount of time to find a new job. Hopefully I won't need to use it but it's good to know it's there.

Exactly. It's meant to be a temporary safety net while you look for work. The job search requirements help ensure people are actively trying to get back to work.

Good point! I'm not planning to quit, just want to know what my options are if business slows down and they have to let people go.

Yeah, voluntary quits usually disqualify you unless it's for good cause like unsafe working conditions or harassment.

I feel your frustration. The system is overwhelmed and understaffed. Have you tried reaching out through their online messaging system?

yes and they never respond to messages either. this whole thing is a nightmare

I know it's frustrating, but there are ways to get through. When I needed help with my claim, I used Claimyr to get connected to Washington ESD by phone. It saved me weeks of waiting for responses to online messages.

Washington ESD has a partial benefit formula. They subtract your gross weekly earnings from your weekly benefit amount plus $5, then multiply by 0.75. So if your weekly benefit is $500 and you earn $100, you'd get $500 + $5 - $100 = $405, then $405 × 0.75 = $303.75 for that week.

Thanks! That's more complicated than I expected but at least I can still get some benefits while working part-time.

Good to know! I haven't received mine yet but I'll watch for it in the mail.

mine came about 10 days after i filed my claim. has all the info you need to understand your benefits

What would be reasons to appeal? Like if they used the wrong wages or something?

Exactly. If they missed wages from an employer, used the wrong base period, or made calculation errors. The appeal process can take a while but it's worth it if your benefits are significantly wrong.

What's the deadline? I want to make sure I don't mess this up.

you have to file by saturday night for the week ending that saturday. i usually do mine on sunday morning for the previous week

Actually, you can file starting Sunday morning for the week that just ended, and you have until the following Saturday to file. But don't wait until the last minute - file as soon as possible on Sunday.

I've been applying to jobs but haven't been keeping a formal log. Should I start documenting everything now?

Yes, definitely start keeping detailed records. Washington ESD can audit your job search activities and if you don't have proper documentation, they can disqualify you from benefits.

How do you set that up? Through the Washington ESD website?

Yes, you can set it up when you file your claim or add it later through your online account. Just need your bank routing and account numbers.