Washington ESD unemployment benefits - how do they compare to other states?

Washington is actually pretty solid for unemployment benefits. The $844 weekly maximum is among the higher amounts nationally. Most states cap out around $400-600 per week. Plus Washington ESD doesn't tax unemployment benefits at the state level, which saves you money come tax time.

From what I've researched, Washington ESD benefits are definitely in the top tier. The 26-week duration is standard but the weekly amounts are high. Massachusetts and New Jersey might be slightly higher in some cases, but when you factor in cost of living and no state tax, Washington comes out ahead for most people.

If you're having trouble getting through to Washington ESD to ask about specific benefit details, I found this service called Claimyr that helps you actually reach an agent. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ and the website is claimyr.com. Made it so much easier to get my questions answered instead of calling for hours.

washington state is pretty good but honestly it depends on your situation. if you have kids the child support calculations might be different in other states. also some states have extended benefits during high unemployment periods

I moved to Washington from Texas specifically because the unemployment system here is so much better. Texas caps at like $535/week and their system is a nightmare to navigate. Washington ESD's online portal actually works most of the time lol.

Here's a breakdown of why Washington ESD benefits are competitive: 1) High weekly maximum ($844), 2) No state income tax on benefits, 3) Relatively efficient system, 4) Good job search requirement flexibility, 5) Standby benefits for union workers. The combination puts Washington in the top 10 nationally.

One thing to consider is how easy it is to actually GET benefits in different states. Some states make it really hard to qualify or have tons of bureaucratic hurdles. Washington ESD has been pretty straightforward in my experience, which is worth something even if the dollar amounts were lower.

From an economic perspective, Washington's tech industry and high wages mean the unemployment benefits reflect that wage base. States with lower average wages will have proportionally lower unemployment benefits. So it's not just generous policy, it's also reflecting the local economy.

I would definitely stay in Washington if I were you. The combination of high benefits, no state tax, and good job market makes it one of the best states to be unemployed in (if there is such a thing). Plus if you move you might have to deal with transferring your claim or starting over.

Another thing - Washington ESD has been pretty good about modernizing their systems and customer service. I know they're not perfect but compared to some states that are still using systems from the 1980s, it's night and day difference.

just remember that unemployment is temporary (hopefully!) so while benefits matter, job opportunities probably matter more long term. washington has a strong job market especially in tech, healthcare, aerospace

One more data point - Washington ESD has been pretty reasonable about adjudication times compared to other states. When there are issues with claims, they seem to resolve them faster than the horror stories you hear from other places.

Bottom line - Washington ESD benefits are among the best in the country when you look at the total package. High weekly amounts, no state tax, decent duration, and a system that actually works most of the time. If you need help with anything Washington ESD related, that Claimyr service I mentioned earlier is really helpful for getting through to actual people.

Just to add one more perspective - I've been through unemployment in three different states and Washington was by far the best experience. The benefits are competitive and the process is much less stressful than other places.

For anyone else reading this thread, it's worth noting that unemployment benefits can change based on economic conditions and state budgets. But Washington has historically maintained competitive benefits even during tough times.

The networking opportunities in Washington, especially around Seattle, are also worth considering. Being able to attend job fairs and networking events while collecting decent unemployment benefits is a nice combination.

Final thought - if you're comparing states for unemployment benefits, look at the total package: weekly amount, duration, taxes, ease of filing, job search requirements, and local job market. Washington scores well on all these factors, which is why it consistently ranks high in national comparisons.

Thanks everyone for all the insights! This thread turned out to be incredibly helpful. Sounds like Washington ESD benefits are definitely competitive nationally, and when you factor in no state income tax and a good job market, it's hard to beat. I'll stick with my current claim and focus on the job search here.