What does unemployment pay in Washington - trying to budget while filing

Thanks! So if my highest quarter was around $14,000 that would be about $538 per week? That's actually better than I expected.

That sounds about right. Just remember you'll need to file weekly claims and meet job search requirements to keep getting benefits.

It's not 60% - that's a common misconception. Washington uses the quarter method I mentioned above. Some states do percentage but Washington doesn't.

oh ok that makes sense why i was confused. thanks for clearing that up

Good to know about the minimum requirements. I definitely meet those since I worked full time for over two years.

What if you had multiple jobs? Do they count wages from all employers in that quarter?

Yes, they count wages from all covered employers during your base year quarters.

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

They help you get through the phone queue and connect you with an actual Washington ESD agent. Way better than sitting on hold for hours or getting hung up on.

Good reminder. When do you have to file the weekly claims? Is there a specific day?

You can file Sunday through Saturday for the previous week but don't wait until Saturday. File early in the week to avoid any system glitches.

Actually you need to complete job search activities equal to 3 times your weekly benefit amount divided by minimum wage. So it varies by person.

That's exactly why I used Claimyr - I was in the same situation with adjudication taking forever. Once I got through to an agent they explained what was happening and it got resolved much faster.

might have to try that. this is so stressful not knowing when i'll get my first payment

Washington adds $31 per week for each dependent child under 18, up to 5 children maximum. So potentially $155 extra per week if you have 5+ kids.

Thanks! I have 2 kids so that would be an extra $62 per week. Every bit helps.

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

I'd have them withhold 10% for federal taxes. Otherwise you might owe a big chunk when you file taxes next year.

I was a regular W-2 employee so I should be fine. But good point for anyone who was freelancing or contracting.

I'll check that out. Do I need to have my pay stubs or can I estimate?

You can estimate but it's better to be accurate. Your employer reports your wages to Washington ESD so they'll have the exact numbers anyway.

Yeah that makes sense. I'm nowhere near that income level so I won't be getting the max.

I did get 2 weeks severance. Does that mean I can't file for unemployment right away?

You should still file right away but those 2 weeks might be considered ineligible weeks. Better to file and let them sort it out than wait.

Good luck getting through to them on the phone! I've been trying for days and keep getting busy signals or disconnected after waiting for hours.

That's why I mentioned Claimyr earlier - they're really good at getting you through to an actual agent when you need to talk to someone at Washington ESD about complex situations like interstate claims.

That's good news. I was worried about having to wait an extra week before getting any money.

How long can you collect unemployment benefits? Is there a limit?

Regular unemployment is up to 26 weeks in Washington, but the exact number depends on your work history and wages. Some people might get less than 26 weeks.

Definitely planning to be completely honest. Not worth the risk of getting in trouble.

Good to know. I'll keep that in mind when I get my determination. Thanks everyone for all the helpful info!

You're welcome! The unemployment system can be confusing but once you understand how it works it's not too bad. Good luck with your claim!