Washington ESD unemployment calculation - making $800 weekly, what benefit amount?

Washington ESD uses your highest quarter earnings from your base period to calculate benefits. For $800/week that's roughly $41,600 annually. You'd probably qualify for around $550-650 per week depending on your exact earnings history. They look at your highest earning quarter and divide by 26.

You need to make sure you meet the minimum requirements too. You need at least $3,800 in your highest quarter AND total earnings of at least 1.5 times your highest quarter amount. At $800/week you should easily meet both.

I was in a similar situation last year making about the same. The hardest part wasn't figuring out the benefit amount, it was actually getting through to Washington ESD to file my claim. Their phone system is impossible - I spent hours calling and kept getting busy signals or hung up on.

Just remember you'll have to do job searches every week and file your weekly claims on time. Washington ESD is strict about that stuff now.

The maximum weekly benefit amount in Washington is $999 per week as of 2024, but that's for people who made around $78,000+ annually. At $800/week you're probably looking at somewhere between $550-675 depending on your exact base period earnings.

Make sure you file as soon as possible after your hours get cut. There's a waiting week but your benefit year starts from when you file, not when you actually start receiving payments.

I make similar money and got approved for $612 per week. Took about 3 weeks to get my first payment though because of some adjudication issue they had to review.

whatever you do dont quit voluntarily or you wont get anything. if your hours are cut that counts as a layoff basically

The calculation is actually pretty straightforward once you understand it. They take your highest earning quarter from your base period, divide by 26, then add $25 for dependents if you have any. The $800/week should put you in a good spot benefit-wise.

One thing to watch out for - if you're still working reduced hours, you need to report those earnings on your weekly claims. They'll reduce your benefits dollar for dollar after the first $5.

I tried calling Washington ESD last month to ask about benefit calculations and couldn't get through for days. Finally used that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier and got connected in like 20 minutes. Worth every penny when you're stressed about money.

File online if possible rather than calling. The online system is available 24/7 and usually processes faster than phone applications.

Just want to add that unemployment benefits are taxable income. You can choose to have taxes withheld or pay them when you file your return next year. Something to keep in mind for budgeting.

The whole system is so confusing honestly. I've been on unemployment twice and still don't fully understand how they calculate everything. But at your income level you should get a decent amount.

Make sure you have all your employer information ready when you file - business name, address, dates of employment, reason for separation. Speeds up the process a lot.

I was making $850/week and got $634 per week in benefits. So your estimate of $550-650 sounds pretty accurate for $800/week earnings.

Remember you can collect unemployment for up to 26 weeks in Washington, though you need to keep certifying and job searching the whole time.

One last thing - if your claim gets held up in adjudication for any reason, that Claimyr service can help you get through to someone who can check on the status. I wish I'd known about it when my claim was stuck for 3 weeks.

File this week if you can. The sooner you get your claim in, the sooner you can start the process. Even if there are delays, at least you'll be in the system.