Washington ESD unemployment how much should I expect in weekly benefits?

So they don't just look at my last job's salary? That's confusing. How do I know what quarters they're looking at?

Right, they look at a base period which is usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters. So if you filed in January 2025, they'd look at your wages from Jan-Dec 2024. You can see this info when you file your claim online.

Hundreds of times?? That's insane. How did you finally get through?

I ended up using this service called Claimyr that calls for you and holds your place in line. Found it at claimyr.com and there's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me so much frustration.

That range sounds reasonable for budgeting purposes. Is there anything that could make it lower than that?

Yes, if you had gaps in employment during your base period or if your earnings weren't consistent, it could affect the calculation. Also, any part-time work you do while collecting benefits will reduce your weekly amount.

Don't forget you still have to pay taxes on unemployment benefits too, so budget for that.

What's adjudication? Should I be worried about that?

Adjudication is when Washington ESD needs to investigate something about your claim before approving benefits. Could be anything from verifying your reason for leaving your job to confirming your identity. It's pretty common but can delay payments.

Seriously! And then when you try to call them to ask questions, good luck getting through.

That's exactly why I used that Claimyr service I mentioned earlier. So much easier than trying to get through on my own.

I didn't know there was a calculator! I'll check that out, thanks.

Yeah it's buried in their website somewhere. Just remember the actual amount might be different depending on your specific situation.

Do they actually check that or is it just something you report?

They can audit your job search activities at any time, so definitely keep detailed records. I use a spreadsheet with dates, company names, and contact information.

I got audited last year and had to provide all my job search documentation. It was a pain but I'm glad I kept good records.

Good point, I should have mentioned that the maximum can change annually.

Yeah, and most people don't hit the maximum anyway unless they were making really good money in their base period.

Washington eliminated the waiting week during the pandemic and it hasn't been reinstated, so you should be eligible for benefits starting with your first week of unemployment.

That's good news! One less thing to worry about.

How long is a benefit year? Is it 12 months from when I file?

Yes, exactly. Your benefit year runs for 52 weeks from the date you filed your initial claim. You can collect up to 26 weeks of benefits during that year in most cases.

Can you set that up when you file the initial claim or do you have to do it later?

You can set it up during the initial filing process or add it later through your online account. I'd recommend doing it right away.

That's exactly the kind of frustration that led me to try Claimyr. It handles the calling and waiting for you so you don't have to sit there all day.

I might have to look into that. This is ridiculous that we have to pay a service just to talk to our own state agency.

I get the frustration but honestly it's worth it if it saves you hours of your time and stress.

What kind of deductions are there besides taxes?

Could be child support, outstanding overpayments from previous claims, or other debts to the state. Most people don't have these issues but it's good to be prepared.

How long did your initial approval take?

About 2 weeks, but I know some people who waited over a month because their claims went into adjudication.

I hadn't thought about that distinction. How do they calculate the maximum total?

It's typically 26 times your weekly benefit amount, assuming you're eligible for the full 26 weeks. So if you get $400/week, your maximum total would be $10,400.

What if I do some freelance work here and there? Do I have to report that too?

Yes, any income needs to be reported when you file your weekly claim. They'll reduce your benefit amount based on what you earned, but you might still get a partial payment.

I learned this the hard way - got an overpayment notice for not reporting some cash work I did. Had to pay it all back plus penalties.