Washington ESD unemployment how much will I get paid weekly?

Thanks! So if my highest quarter was around $15,000, I'd get about $577 per week? That would really help with my mortgage payments.

That sounds about right, but Washington ESD will send you a determination letter with the exact amount once they process your claim.

Wait, what if someone had really low earnings in that period but made more money in recent months? Can you use a different base period?

Yes! Washington ESD has an alternate base period option if you don't qualify using the standard base period. It uses the last four completed quarters instead.

How much does something like that cost? I'm already tight on money.

It was worth it for me to get quick answers instead of spending hours trying to call. The peace of mind knowing exactly what my benefits would be was huge.

Never heard of that service but anything's better than calling Washington ESD directly. I've been on hold for 3 hours before just to get hung up on.

What happens if you don't meet those requirements? Are there other options?

You might qualify using the alternate base period, or potentially for other programs depending on your situation. Washington ESD will automatically check both base periods when processing your claim.

Determination letters usually come within 2-3 weeks of filing, but it can take longer if there are any issues with your claim that need adjudication.

ugh what kind of issues? my claim status just says 'under review' with no other details

That's exactly the kind of situation where Claimyr helped me. I was able to talk to a Washington ESD agent who looked up my claim and explained what was causing the delay.

I feel your frustration. The phone system is definitely overwhelmed. Have you tried calling right when they open at 8am? Sometimes that works better.

tried that too, still can't get through. this is ridiculous

This is exactly why I ended up using that phone service I mentioned earlier. Sometimes you just need to talk to a real person to get answers.

Good point! What's the earnings limit before they start reducing benefits?

You can earn up to your weekly benefit amount minus $5 without any reduction. Anything above that gets deducted dollar for dollar from your unemployment benefits.

Oh wow, I didn't think about taxes. Should I have them withhold the 10% or handle it myself?

Depends on your tax situation, but having it withheld automatically is usually easier than trying to save money for taxes later.

what happens if you forget to report some earnings? asking for a friend...

Washington ESD cross-references with employer wage reports, so they'll catch unreported earnings eventually. Better to report everything accurately from the start to avoid overpayment issues.

Overpayments are a nightmare to deal with. They can offset future benefits or even garnish wages if you don't pay them back.

You need to specifically request dependent allowances when you file your initial claim. It's not automatic. You'll need to provide documentation like birth certificates or custody papers.

Dang, I already filed without mentioning my kids. Can I add them later?

Yes, you can request to add dependents after filing, but it might require calling Washington ESD or submitting additional paperwork through your online account.

I tried using that calculator but wasn't sure which quarters to include. Do you use calendar quarters or something else?

It's calendar quarters - January through March, April through June, etc. The calculator will ask for specific date ranges to make it clear.

Every state has different benefit formulas and maximum amounts. California's cost of living is also much higher, so their benefits reflect that.

True, but even accounting for cost of living differences, some states are definitely more generous with unemployment benefits.

What kind of administrative fees? This is the first I'm hearing about deductions from benefits.

Small amounts for things like the WorkSource system and administrative costs. Nothing huge, but good to know about when budgeting.

Good advice! I've been applying to jobs but not really tracking everything systematically.

The WorkSourceWA website has a good tool for tracking job searches, or you can just keep a simple spreadsheet with dates, companies, and activities.

3 weeks isn't too bad! still waiting on mine but hopefully soon

Hang in there! Once you get the determination letter, the weekly payments come pretty quickly as long as you file your claims on time.

That's a good point that not everyone realizes. Your wages from the new job might not count toward a new claim if it's within the same benefit year.

Exactly. You'd need to work enough in covered employment to establish a new base period, which can be tricky timing-wise.

just checked and mine still just says 'pending' everywhere. guess i'll keep waiting

If it's been more than 3 weeks, that might be worth a call to Washington ESD to check on the status. Sometimes claims get stuck in processing for various reasons.

That's a really good point. My highest quarter included a lot of overtime that I probably won't see again.

Yeah, it's important to budget based on realistic expectations rather than just the maximum possible benefit amount.

Good reminder! A lot of people don't realize they might qualify for additional help while unemployed.

Right, and some utility companies also have programs for people receiving unemployment benefits. Worth looking into if money is tight.

26 weeks goes by faster than you'd think! Good motivation to stay focused on the job search.

Exactly. And remember that some jobs might offer lower pay than your unemployment benefits, but taking work can lead to better opportunities long-term.

Plus working part-time while collecting partial unemployment can sometimes be a good way to transition back to full-time employment.