What does unemployment pay in Washington - need to know benefit amounts

Thanks! So if my highest quarter was around $13,500, I'd get about $520 per week? That's actually better than I expected.

That sounds about right. Just remember you also need to meet the minimum earnings requirement in your base year which is usually around $3,800 total.

That's helpful, thanks! Do you know if they take taxes out automatically or do I need to request that?

You can request to have 10% federal tax withheld when you file your weekly claims. Washington doesn't have state income tax so you don't need to worry about that part.

Thanks! So if my highest quarter was around $12,600, that would be about $484 per week?

That sounds about right. You can also use the benefit calculator on the Washington ESD website to get an exact estimate.

Wait so if I file in January 2025, they'd look at my wages from January 2024 through September 2024? Not my most recent work?

exactly, unless you dont qualify then they might use alternate base year which includes more recent quarters

Thanks! So they look at my best 3 months of earnings? I think I made around $8,000 in my best quarter last summer when I was working more hours.

Exactly! So $8,000 divided by 26 would give you about $307 per week, which is above the minimum so you'd qualify for that amount.

The minimum is actually $314 per week as of 2025. They adjust these amounts every year based on the state's average wage.

Wow $999 max is pretty decent. That's almost $4000 a month if you qualify for the full amount.

That would definitely help cover my basic expenses. How long does it usually take to get the first payment?

Usually 2-3 weeks if there are no issues with your claim. Sometimes longer if they need to verify employment or if it goes into adjudication.

Good point about the job search. Do I need to start that right away or is there a waiting period?

You start the job search requirement with your first weekly claim. No waiting period for that part.

Good point about taxes. Can I have them automatically withhold federal taxes from my weekly payments?

Yes, you can request 10% federal tax withholding when you file your initial claim or change it later through your online account.

How does that work exactly? Do they just call for you or something?

They help you get through the phone system to actually talk to a real person at Washington ESD. Check out claimyr.com for more details.

That might be useful if I run into issues with my claim. The phone system is supposed to be really hard to navigate.

That's confusing. So even if I made good money in one quarter, I might not qualify if the other quarters were too low?

Exactly. It's designed to make sure you had consistent work history, not just one good quarter.

Is that service legit? I've been trying to call Washington ESD for days and can't get through.

Yeah it worked for me. I was skeptical at first but I needed to talk to someone about my claim status and this got me through when I couldn't reach them any other way.

What's a base year? Is that different from the quarter thing the other person mentioned?

Base year is the first 4 quarters of the last 5 completed quarters before you file. So if you file now in 2025, they'd look at your wages from early 2024 through late 2024.

What kind of employment info do I need? I have my last paystub but that's about it.

You'll need employer names, addresses, dates you worked there, and reason you left each job. If you don't have addresses, you can look them up later but having everything ready speeds up the process.

Thanks for the tip! I'm hoping I won't need to call but good to know there are options if I do.

Never heard of claimyr but honestly anything that helps get through to Washington ESD is worth it. I spent hours on hold trying to fix my claim.

ugh i learned this the hard way last year. ended up owing like $1200 at tax time because i didnt have anything withheld

Yeah definitely opt for the tax withholding. It's worth it to not get hit with a big bill later.

I've been at the same restaurant for 2 years, so that should be straightforward. Do I need pay stubs or just the basic employment info?

Usually just the basic info is fine for filing. Washington ESD will verify wages with employers directly. But keep your pay stubs handy in case they ask for them later.

I'm being laid off unfortunately. The restaurant is cutting staff due to slow business after the holidays.

Sorry to hear that but at least you should qualify without any issues. Layoffs are pretty straightforward for unemployment eligibility.

Good point about job search requirements. How many jobs do you have to apply for each week?

You need to make at least 3 job search contacts per week and keep a log of your activities. They can audit this at any time.

How does that work exactly? Do they call for you or something?

Yeah they basically handle the calling and waiting for you, then connect you when an agent is available. Was super easy to use and way better than sitting on hold for hours.

That sounds too good to be true. How much does it cost?

Processing usually means they're verifying your work history with your employers. Can take 2-3 weeks sometimes, especially if they need to contact multiple employers.

2-3 weeks?? I need money for rent now! This is ridiculous.

26 weeks sounds like a lot. Do most people actually get approved for that long?

Depends on your work history and how much you earned. You need to have worked enough to build up sufficient 'benefit weeks' but most people who worked steady jobs qualify for close to the full 26 weeks.

It's the first four of the last five completed quarters before you file your claim. So if you file in January 2025, your base period would be October 2023 through September 2024.

Thanks, that makes sense. So recent work might not even count toward your benefit calculation.

Yeah I read about that. Do they define what counts as a job search contact? Like does applying online count?

Online applications definitely count. So do networking events, job fairs, contacting employers directly, even informational interviews. Just keep detailed records of everything.

Adjudication can take 4-6 weeks unfortunately. They're reviewing something about your claim that needs manual verification.

ugh that's what I was afraid of. bills don't wait for their slow process

Thanks for the heads up about taxes. I'll definitely request the withholding when I file.

Learned this the hard way last year - owed like $1800 in taxes because I didn't have anything withheld!

How do you file the weekly claims? Is it online too?

Yeah, you log into your Washington ESD account every week and answer questions about whether you worked, looked for work, etc. Takes like 5 minutes.

I used it and it worked great. Much better than the alternative of calling hundreds of times yourself. The video demo I mentioned shows exactly how it works.

I haven't used it personally but anything that helps people actually reach agents has to be better than the current phone system. So many people give up trying to call.

What if I had two jobs during my highest quarter? Do they count both?

Yes, they count all covered employment. So if you made $5,000 at one job and $3,000 at another in the same quarter, they'd use the full $8,000 to calculate your benefit.

The system replaces about 50% of your average weekly wage, which is standard across most states. It's meant to be temporary assistance while you find new work.

50% DOESN'T CUT IT WHEN RENT IS $2000 A MONTH! But whatever, at least it's something I guess.

I get the frustration but unemployment was never designed to fully replace your income. It's just a safety net.

That's concerning. What was the reason for your initial denial?

They said I didn't have enough wages in my base year, but it turned out to be a calculation error on their end. Took 3 months to get it sorted out.

That's reassuring. I plan to be very thorough when I file to avoid any complications.

Agreed. I had no problems with my claim last year. Filed online, got approved within a week, and started receiving benefits right away.

That's why it's important to keep records of all your wages and employment. If there's an error you can appeal it, but you need documentation to prove your case.

Wait, they tax unemployment? That seems wrong...

Yeah, it's considered income by the IRS. You can have 10% withheld automatically when you file your initial claim to avoid a big tax bill later.

That gives me a good ballpark. Sounds like I should expect somewhere in that range.

Yeah just don't count on getting the maximum amount unless you were making really good money consistently.

Good to know. Is there a specific day of the week I need to file the weekly claim?

You can file anytime Sunday through Friday for the previous week. I always do mine on Sunday mornings to get it out of the way.

What if I pick up a shift here and there at my old restaurant? Do I need to report that too?

Absolutely. Any work needs to be reported. They'll reduce your weekly benefit based on how much you earned, but it's better than getting hit with an overpayment later.

A few weeks? I was hoping to get my first payment within a week or two of filing.

It depends on if there are any issues with your claim. If everything is straightforward you might get paid sooner, but always budget for potential delays.

Thanks everyone! I'm going to apply tonight. This has been really helpful.

I'm going to try Claimyr too. Been putting off calling because I know it'll be hours of frustration.

Smart move. The calling system is just broken for regular people trying to get through. Services like this actually level the playing field.

What counts as a job search contact? Just applying for jobs online?

Applying for jobs, contacting employers directly, attending job fairs, networking events, even some training activities. They have a list on the Washington ESD website.

Yes, all wages including overtime count toward your base period calculation. Anything that shows up on your W-2 is included.

sweet that should help my benefit amount then

Is WorkSource registration automatic or do I need to do it separately?

You need to do it separately. Washington ESD will send you information about when and how to register. Don't ignore it or they can suspend your benefits.

I don't have kids but that's good to know for others who might be reading this.

Yeah, not many people know about the dependency allowances. It's not a huge amount but every bit helps when you're unemployed.

Agreed. Despite all the frustrations with the system, it's still a crucial safety net. Just wish it was easier to navigate and get questions answered.

Good point. I was worried about not having every detail but sounds like I should just get started.

Exactly. The longer you wait, the more potential benefits you're losing. Even if there are issues to resolve later, at least your claim date is established.

Good to know! I'll set a reminder to file every week. What day do they usually become available?

Weekly claims open on Sunday for the previous week. You have until the following Saturday to file, but don't wait that long.

That's exactly why I ended up using Claimyr - the regular phone lines are impossible. Worth checking out if you're stuck.

At this point I'm willing to try anything. This is ridiculous.

That's good to know. I might pick up some freelance work while I'm looking for full-time employment.

Just make sure you report all earnings when you file your weekly claims. They cross-reference with employers and the penalties for not reporting are severe.

That's not quite right. In Washington, the standard is 26 weeks for regular unemployment insurance. The duration can be extended during high unemployment periods, but shortened periods are rare.

Thanks for the correction. I was thinking of a different state's rules.

If your employer disputes the claim, it goes into adjudication and can take 4-6 weeks to resolve. You'll get a chance to present your side of the story.

Ugh, hope it doesn't come to that. I was laid off due to budget cuts, so it should be straightforward.

Great advice! I'll definitely set that up. Every day counts when you're trying to pay bills.

Yes! I made the mistake of doing paper checks at first and it added like a week to every payment.

Wait, so I don't get paid for the first week at all? That's rough when you're already struggling financially.

Exactly. It's called the 'waiting week' and it's been a rule for decades. Really sucks when you need every dollar.

How much did that cost? I'm barely scraping by as it is.

It wasn't free but it was worth it to get my claim resolved. Check their website at claimyr.com - they explain how it works better than I can.

I filed mine 3 days after my last day of work. Hopefully that was fast enough.

That's perfect timing. The sooner you file, the sooner your claim can be processed and you can start receiving benefits.

Absolutely. I'm already updating my resume and reaching out to my network. Hoping to find something soon.

Good attitude! The people who treat job searching like a full-time job tend to find work faster.

Or you could try that Claimyr service I mentioned earlier. Saved me a lot of time and frustration when I couldn't get through the normal way.

That's true too. Sometimes you need to think outside the box when dealing with government agencies.

Yes, they combine wages from all employers during your base period. As long as all the employers paid into the unemployment insurance system.

Good to know. I had two part-time jobs so hopefully that adds up to a decent benefit amount.

How much does something like that cost? Seems like it might be worth it to avoid the phone runaround.

It's worth checking out their site at claimyr.com. The peace of mind of actually talking to someone who can answer your questions is huge.

Standby status doesn't change your benefit amount, but it does affect your job search requirements. You don't have to look for work if you're truly on standby waiting for recall.

ok good to know. the benefit amount calculation is the same then

Yeah I feel much more confident about filing now. The highest quarter divided by 26 thing makes sense.

Same here. Now I just need to actually get through the application process without any issues.

That's good to know. So if I pick up some freelance work it won't mess up my benefit calculation?

Right, your weekly benefit amount stays the same. But you have to report any earnings and they'll reduce your payment for that week if you earn too much.

Yeah I've heard some states cap it way lower. We're lucky to be in Washington for this stuff.

Still not enough but better than nothing I guess

They round down to the nearest dollar. So $484.50 would become $484.

Thanks! Every dollar counts when you're unemployed.

Good luck! The online application is pretty straightforward. Just make sure you have your employment history and Social Security number ready.

Will do. Hoping it goes smoothly and doesn't get stuck in adjudication or anything.

Same here! This thread answered pretty much all my questions about benefit amounts.

Happy to help. The Washington ESD website has more detailed info too if you need specifics for your situation.

Good to hear a second confirmation. Might need that if I run into any issues with my claim.

Yeah it's definitely worth knowing about as a backup option when the regular phone lines are jammed.

This community is great for getting real answers about this stuff. Way better than trying to decipher the official websites.

Glad we could help! Feel free to ask if you run into any issues during the application process.

How much did that cost? I'm trying to keep expenses low while I'm unemployed.

I'd rather not get into specifics about cost, but for me it was worth it considering how much time I was spending trying to call on my own. Check out their site at claimyr.com if you're interested.

That's a good perspective. I've been thinking about maybe getting into hotel management instead of restaurants.

WorkSource has career counseling services that might help you explore those options. Take advantage of all the resources available while you're collecting benefits.

Good advice. I'll start a folder for all my unemployment documents as soon as I file.

Smart thinking. I learned that lesson the hard way when they questioned one of my weekly claims and I couldn't find the documentation I needed.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful information. I feel much more prepared to file my claim now.

Good luck! Hope your claim goes smoothly and you find something new soon.

I wasn't planning on it, but that's definitely something to keep in mind. Better to know the rules upfront.

Exactly. The key is just being transparent about everything. Washington ESD would rather work with you than penalize you if you're honest about your situation.

Yeah, I can see how talking to someone would be reassuring when you're dealing with bureaucracy and your income is on the line.

Exactly. When you're stressed about money, paying a little to get answers can be worth it for your mental health alone.