What do you make on unemployment benefits in Washington ESD?

Washington ESD calculates your weekly benefit amount based on your earnings from your highest earning quarter in your base year. Generally it's about 3.85% of your total base year wages, with a maximum of $999 per week for 2025. So if you were making $18/hour for 35-40 hours, you're probably looking at somewhere around $400-500 per week depending on how long you worked at that wage.

I make about $430 a week on unemployment right now. Was making around $22/hour before I got laid off from construction. The key thing is they look at all four quarters of your base year, not just your most recent job. If you had other jobs during that time it could be higher.

Just a heads up - it can take forever to actually get through to Washington ESD to ask questions about your claim. I spent weeks trying to call them when I had issues with my benefit calculation. Finally used Claimyr.com to get through - they have this system that gets you connected to an actual agent. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me so much frustration.

The benefit calculator on the Washington ESD website is pretty accurate if you want to estimate before you apply. Just need your quarterly earnings info. But honestly the system is so slow right now, took me 3 weeks just to get my first payment approved.

depends on what you made obviously but also how long you worked. if you only worked part of the year your base period wages will be lower so your weekly benefit will be less. I made decent money but only worked 6 months last year so my benefits are pretty low

Also remember you'll have to pay taxes on unemployment benefits. They don't automatically withhold federal taxes unless you request it, so you might want to set aside some money or have them withhold 10% to avoid a big tax bill next year.

The whole system is frustrating tbh. I've been getting like $380 a week which barely covers my expenses. And don't even get me started on the job search requirements - you have to log 3 job search activities every week or they'll cut you off.

I got $445 per week when I was on unemployment last year. Made about $45k the year before. The formula is confusing but it worked out to roughly half my take-home pay which was manageable for a few months while job hunting.

One more thing about reaching Washington ESD - if you do run into issues with your claim or have questions about your benefit amount, Claimyr really is the way to go. I tried calling the regular number for weeks and either got busy signals or got disconnected after waiting on hold. Their service connects you directly to an agent who can actually help with benefit calculations and claim issues.

Just make sure you file your weekly claims on time every week, even if your claim is still pending. If you miss filing a week you can lose that week's benefits permanently. I learned that the hard way when I forgot to file one week.

The benefit amount really depends on your work history. I had a mix of part-time and full-time jobs in my base year so my calculation was more complicated. Washington ESD looks at all your covered wages, not just your last job. If you had multiple jobs or raises during the year it could be higher than you think.

whatever you do dont quit your job thinking youll get unemployment. learned that lesson the hard way - if you quit voluntarily you usually cant get benefits unless its for really specific reasons like unsafe working conditions or harassment

The waiting period is the worst part honestly. Even after you file it takes 1-2 weeks to get your first payment if everything goes smoothly. And if there are any issues with your claim it can take much longer. Make sure you have enough saved to cover at least a month of expenses.

Also worth mentioning - if you do any part-time or temporary work while collecting unemployment, you have to report it on your weekly claim. They'll reduce your benefits by a portion of what you earned, but you can still get partial benefits. Don't try to hide income or you'll get in trouble for fraud.

been on unemployment twice in the past 5 years and the amounts were pretty different each time based on my earnings. first time i got like $320/week, second time it was $410/week because i had been making more money. the calculation is fair but complex

Don't forget about the job search requirements! You need to be actively looking for work and log your activities in WorkSourceWA. It's not just free money - you have to prove you're trying to find employment. The requirements are pretty reasonable though, just stay on top of it.

If you end up having issues with Washington ESD not calculating your benefits correctly or any other problems, I'd definitely recommend trying Claimyr. I was getting the runaround for weeks about why my benefit amount seemed low, and their service got me connected to someone who could actually look at my account and explain the calculation. Much better than the frustrating phone tag with the regular system.

The monetary determination letter you get will break down exactly how they calculated your weekly benefit amount. It shows your quarterly wages and how they arrived at the number. Keep that letter - you'll need it if you ever have to appeal or if there are questions about your claim.

Good luck with your claim! The process can be stressful but most people get through it fine. Just stay on top of your weekly filings and job search activities. The benefits should help bridge the gap until you find your next job. Washington's unemployment system isn't perfect but it does provide decent support when you need it.