Washington ESD unemployment how much will I get weekly - need estimate

So if my highest quarter was like $14,000, I'd get around $270 a week? That seems low but better than nothing I guess.

Yeah that sounds about right. Remember you also might qualify for the additional $25 dependency allowance if you have kids under 18.

Wait that doesn't make sense. Why wouldn't they use my most recent earnings?

It's because employers need time to report your wages to Washington ESD. The lag period ensures all wage data is available when they calculate your claim.

exactly what they said. its stupid but thats how the system works

I didn't know there was a calculator! That would save me from guessing. Is it pretty accurate?

Yes, it uses the same wage data and formulas that Washington ESD uses for actual claims, so it should be exact.

I had the same problem until I found this service called Claimyr at claimyr.com. They help you get through to Washington ESD agents by handling the calling for you. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. It was a lifesaver when I needed to resolve my adjudication issue.

Try calling right at 8am when they open. Sometimes you can get through before the lines get totally jammed.

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

For 2025, you can earn up to your weekly benefit amount plus $5 before they start deducting. So if your weekly benefit is $300, you can earn up to $305 without any reduction.

That's not quite right. The formula is more complicated than that. They have different deduction rates depending on how much you earn.

How do they find out about unreported income?

They cross-reference with employer wage reports and IRS data. They might not catch it immediately but they will eventually, and then you owe back everything plus penalties.

This happened to my neighbor. He got hit with a $4,000 overpayment notice two years later. Not worth the risk at all.

What counts as a job contact? Just applying online or do you need to do more?

Applying for jobs counts, but you can also attend job fairs, do informational interviews, or take approved training courses. They want to see you're actively looking for work.

Make sure you keep detailed records of all your job search activities. Washington ESD can audit your claim and ask for proof of your job contacts.

I was laid off because they closed our department, so hopefully that won't be an issue.

That should be straightforward then. Lack of work layoffs are usually approved without much investigation.

Even straightforward claims can get stuck in adjudication sometimes. The Washington ESD system is just overwhelmed. I waited 6 weeks for approval on a simple layoff claim.

Thanks, I'll look for that table. Hopefully it's easier to understand than the formula.

The table is helpful but remember it gets updated each year. Make sure you're looking at the 2025 version for current rates.

Oh I didn't think about taxes. Is it better to have them withheld or pay later?

Depends on your situation. If you're not good at saving money, having them withheld might be safer. The withholding rate is 10% for federal and whatever Washington state requires.

Washington doesn't have state income tax so you only need to worry about federal taxes on unemployment benefits.

How much did Claimyr cost you? I'm desperate to talk to someone at Washington ESD but money's tight right now.

I'm still skeptical about using a third party service. Seems like something Washington ESD should be able to handle directly.

Wait, there's a waiting period? So I won't get paid for the first week?

Correct. The first week you file is your waiting week - you have to complete it but you don't get paid for that week. Payments start from the second week.

That waiting week rule is such BS. People need money immediately when they lose their jobs, not after two weeks of bureaucracy.

Good advice. I was planning to file this weekend since I just got laid off yesterday.

Perfect timing then. The sooner you file, the sooner your claim can be processed and approved.