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

That's really helpful! Do you know what the base period is exactly? I'm trying to figure out which quarters they'd look at.

The base period is usually the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you filed your claim. So if you filed in January 2025, they'd look at quarters from January 2024 through September 2024.

So if I was making about $4,300 per month consistently, what would that work out to roughly?

Your highest quarter would be around $12,900. Multiply that by 0.0385 and you'd get about $497 per week before taxes.

Good point, I definitely want taxes taken out. Do you know what percentage they withhold?

it's 10% federal tax withholding if you elect it on your weekly claims

Thanks for sharing the real numbers! That actually sounds like it might work for me if I'm careful with spending.

How long did it take for your first payment to come through? I filed last week and haven't heard anything yet.

It took about 2 weeks for me to get approved and then another week for the first payment. Make sure you're filing your weekly claims every week even while waiting!

I tried using their calculator but kept getting error messages. Anyone else have issues with their website?

Their site crashes constantly. I ended up using Claimyr to get through to an actual person at Washington ESD who calculated my benefits over the phone. Way easier than fighting with their broken website.

Never heard of Claimyr - what is that exactly?

It's a service that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents. Check out claimyr.com - they have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Saved me hours of calling.

Oh no, what's adjudication? Is that normal?

Adjudication happens when Washington ESD needs to verify information on your claim. It's frustrating but usually resolves within 3-4 weeks. Six weeks seems excessive though.

I've called probably 200 times and can never get through to ask what's taking so long. This system is completely broken.

I'm not in a union, just regular unemployment from being laid off. Is standby better or worse?

Standby means you expect to return to the same employer. Same benefit calculation but different job search requirements.

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

Job applications, networking contacts, job fairs, interviews all count. You need to log them in WorkSourceWA. Keep detailed records because they audit people randomly.

Is that legit? I've been trying to call Washington ESD for three days straight and can never get through.

Yeah it's legitimate, they basically handle the calling for you and connect you when an agent is available. Way better than sitting on hold for hours.

I used Claimyr too when I had issues with my adjudication. Definitely worth it when you actually need to talk to someone at Washington ESD.

Same here! I've wasted so much time trying to call them. Someone mentioned Claimyr earlier - has anyone actually tried it?

Yeah I used Claimyr last month when my weekly claim got stuck. They got me connected to an agent in like 10 minutes instead of spending all day calling. Worth it for the time savings alone.

What counts as job search activities? Is it just applying for jobs or are there other things?

Job applications count, but so do things like attending job fairs, networking events, creating professional profiles online, or meeting with career counselors. You have to log everything in the system.

Don't forget you also need to accept suitable work if it's offered. They define suitable work pretty broadly after you've been on benefits for a while.

That's helpful for budgeting. Do they pay for the waiting week now or do you still lose that first week?

No waiting week in Washington since 2023. You can get paid for your first week if you're eligible.

That's why it's important to file immediately after losing your job. The longer you wait, the more complicated it gets.

I filed the day after I got laid off and still waited forever. The system is just broken.

Good point about taxes! I didn't even think about that. Probably better to have them withhold something.

Yeah definitely have them withhold 10% if you can afford the slightly lower payment. Otherwise you might owe a lot come tax season.

What kind of errors should people watch out for when filing?

Make sure all your employer info is exactly right, including dates and reason for separation. Any discrepancies can trigger adjudication which adds weeks to the process.

That's really helpful advice. I'll be extra careful when I fill out the application.

Yeah I'm expecting to have to cut way back on expenses. Hopefully it's just temporary.

Good advice, I'll make sure to do that. How long does direct deposit usually take?

Usually 1-2 business days once Washington ESD processes your weekly claim. Much faster than waiting for a check.

How does that happen? I want to make sure I don't mess anything up.

Usually happens if you don't report work income correctly or if there's an error in your initial claim determination. Always be honest about any work you do while collecting benefits.

Do you know what kind of income level you'd need to hit that maximum?

You'd probably need to be making at least $70k+ annually with consistent high quarters to max out the weekly benefit amount.

How long did it take you to complete the initial application? I keep putting it off because it seems complicated.

honestly took me about 45 minutes because I had to gather all my employment info first. once I had everything ready the actual application wasn't too bad

I had the same problem until someone told me about Claimyr. I was skeptical at first but it actually worked. Got connected to a Washington ESD agent in minutes instead of days of trying.

I'm desperate enough to try anything at this point. Where do I find this Claimyr thing?

Go to claimyr.com - they have a demo video that shows exactly how it works. Saved my sanity honestly.

so true, my rent is more than my entire unemployment check

That's scary. I might need to look into other assistance programs too.

26 weeks should hopefully be enough time to find something new. Fingers crossed.

Start job searching immediately even if you think you might get called back to your old job. The market is tough right now.

How long does it usually take to get that letter?

Typically 1-2 weeks after filing, assuming no issues with your claim. Check your SecureAccess Washington account regularly for updates.

That's reassuring to hear. What day of the week do you usually file your weekly claim?

i do mine sunday mornings, payments usually hit my account by wednesday

Thanks for all the advice everyone. This has been really helpful for understanding what to expect.

good luck with your claim! hopefully it goes smoother than some of our experiences

That's good to know! I was worried that any work would completely cut off benefits.

Nope, they want to encourage people to work. Just make sure you report all earnings accurately on your weekly claims or you could face overpayment issues later.

Thanks for mentioning that. I might pick up some gig work to supplement if needed.

Unfortunately not everyone has savings when they get laid off unexpectedly. That's why people need unemployment in the first place.

true, I just meant if you have any cushion at all it helps because the system isn't always perfectly reliable with timing

The online system is definitely better than it used to be but calling them is still a nightmare if you have problems.

That's where services like Claimyr come in handy. I used them when I had adjudication issues and it saved me so much frustration trying to get through on the phone.