Washington ESD unemployment maximum weekly benefit amount - what's the max?

Thanks! That's higher than I expected. Do you know if that includes the additional federal benefits or is that just the state portion?

That's just the regular state unemployment insurance. There aren't any federal add-ons right now like there were during COVID.

The amount depends on your previous earnings. Most people don't get the maximum - it's calculated as 50% of your average weekly wage up to that $999 cap.

oh ok that makes more sense. so if i was making like $40k a year i wouldnt get nearly that much

Good to know about the calling issues. Hopefully I won't need to call but it's good to have a backup plan.

Is that Claimyr thing legit? Seems weird to pay someone to make a phone call for you.

Yeah it's legit. They don't make the call for you - they help you get through the phone system faster. When you're dealing with adjudication issues or need to talk to someone urgently, it's worth it.

That's interesting. I had some stock options vest in one quarter that made it really high compared to the others. Wonder if that will help or hurt me.

Stock options usually count as wages for unemployment purposes, so that high quarter should work in your favor for calculating your benefit amount.

Yeah I saw that on the Washington ESD website. Do you know what counts as a job search activity?

Applying for jobs, attending job fairs, networking events, informational interviews with employers. You can also do things like career counseling or skills assessments through WorkSourceWA.

Six weeks? That's crazy long. Did you eventually get backpay for those weeks?

Yes, once it was approved I got all the backpay. But it was stressful not knowing when it would come through.

This is exactly why I used Claimyr when my claim got stuck in adjudication. Being able to actually talk to someone at Washington ESD made all the difference.

Good point about taxes. What percentage do they typically withhold?

10% for federal and I think around 5% for state, but you can choose different amounts or opt out completely.

While the system can be frustrating, most people do eventually get their benefits if they're eligible. The key is staying on top of your weekly claims and responding quickly to any requests for information.

EASY FOR YOU TO SAY! I've been fighting with them for months over a simple wage verification issue.

Yeah I looked it up and some states max out at like $400-500 per week. Washington seems more reasonable.

Severance can affect your benefits depending on how it's paid out. If it's paid as a lump sum, it typically doesn't delay benefits. If it's paid out over time, it might be considered wages and could reduce your weekly benefit amount.

Thanks! It's a lump sum so sounds like I should be good to file right away.

Same here. I think I was getting like $350 a week when I was laid off from my restaurant job. Still helped cover some bills though.

26 weeks seems reasonable for finding a new job, especially in tech. Hopefully won't need anywhere close to that long.

In some economic situations they extend the benefit period, but right now it's the standard 26 weeks in Washington.

Good to know! I'm not unemployed yet but my company announced layoffs so I'm preparing just in case.

Smart to prepare ahead of time. Having all your employment history and wage information ready will make filing much smoother.

Washington uses a standard base period (first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters) but there's also an alternate base period if you don't qualify under the standard one. The alternate uses the 4 most recently completed quarters.

That's helpful to know there's a backup option if the standard base period doesn't work out.

How much does it cost? And do you have to give them your personal information?

They don't ask for personal info - you make the call yourself, they just help you navigate the phone system. Check out their video demo to see exactly how it works.

Good reminder. I do some occasional consulting work so I'll need to be careful about reporting that accurately.

Yeah, they cross-reference with tax records so they'll find out eventually if you don't report income.

Agreed! Lots of good detailed information here. Feeling much more prepared now if I do end up needing to file.