What is the max unemployment benefit amount in Washington state right now?

Thanks! Do you know how much I need to have earned to get that $999 maximum?

You'd need to have earned at least $24,975 in your highest quarter to qualify for the maximum benefit amount.

Thanks! So if I was making $85k yearly, would I likely qualify for close to the max?

Depends on how your earnings were distributed throughout the year. They look at your highest quarter, so if you made around $21k+ in your best quarter, you'd be close to max benefits.

Thanks! That's higher than I expected. How do they calculate what quarter counts as your highest earning quarter?

They look at 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.

Thanks! That's higher than I expected. How do they calculate what percentage of that max I'd actually get?

It's based on your highest earning quarter during your base period. They take that amount, divide by 26, and that's your weekly benefit rate. But it can't exceed the $999 maximum.

Thanks! That's higher than I expected. Do you know how they calculate the base period? Is it the last 4 quarters or something different?

Your base period is the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you filed. So if you file in January 2025, your base period would be October 2023 through September 2024.

I had the same problem until I found Claimyr. It's a service that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents without waiting on hold for hours. You can check it out at claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me so much time and stress.

That sounds too good to be true. How does it actually work? Do they just call for you?

They monitor the phone lines and call you back when an agent is available. Way better than sitting on hold yourself. I was able to get my benefit calculation questions answered within a few hours instead of spending days trying to call.

Washington adjusts the maximum benefit amount annually based on the state's average weekly wage. It went up from last year.

Good to know, I haven't had to deal with unemployment in a few years so wasn't sure about current amounts.

Good point about the taxes. Do most people choose to have taxes withheld or just deal with it at tax time?

I always recommend having 10% federal tax withheld. Unemployment benefits are fully taxable and if you don't withhold, you could owe a lot come tax season. Better to have it taken out automatically.

Wait, I thought unemployment wasn't taxable? I never had taxes taken out when I was on benefits last year...

Unemployment benefits are definitely taxable at the federal level. You should have received a 1099-G form for last year's benefits. You might want to check if you owe taxes on those benefits.

Are you stuck in adjudication? That's been happening to a lot of people lately. Have you tried calling Washington ESD directly?

tried calling like 50 times, always busy or they hang up on me after being on hold forever

The amount depends on how much you earned at your previous job. If you were making minimum wage, you'll get much less than someone who was making $80k+ per year.

yeah that makes sense I guess. still seems unfair though

You only get that if you were making really good money though. Most people get way less than the maximum.

yeah true, still better than nothing when you lose your job

Good point. What's the minimum work history you need to qualify?

You need to have earned at least $5,265 during your base period, with at least $3,510 earned outside your highest earning quarter. Plus you need to have worked at least 680 hours during your base period.

I had the same problem until I found Claimyr. It's a service that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents. Check out claimyr.com - there's even a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works.

Really? That sounds too good to be true. Does it actually work?

Yeah it worked for me. I was able to get my benefit calculation questions answered within a day instead of calling for weeks.

That's really helpful to know. My income was pretty consistent at my tech job, so hopefully I'll qualify for a decent amount. Did the calculation match what you expected when you first applied?

It was actually higher than I expected because I had a really good quarter with overtime and bonuses that pushed up my calculation. Make sure you report all your earnings accurately when you file.

Is this legit? Sounds too good to be true honestly

I was skeptical too but it worked for me. Much better than spending hours trying to call on my own.

I've heard good things about Claimyr from other people on here. Might be worth trying if you're stuck in the system.

I had the same problem until I found Claimyr. It's a service that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents. I was skeptical at first but it actually worked - got connected in like 20 minutes instead of spending hours calling. Check out claimyr.com, they have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

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

It's worth it when you consider how much time you save. I was calling for days before I found them. The agent was able to explain my benefit calculation and fix an issue with my weekly claim filing.

That makes sense. I think I should qualify for close to the maximum then based on my salary.

Don't forget you also have to meet the minimum earnings requirements in your entire base period, not just the high quarter.

I agree it's complicated. The benefit calculator on the Washington ESD website can help estimate your amount if you have your wage information.

tried that but it keeps giving me error messages when i put in my info

The online calculator has been buggy lately. You might need to call or use a service like Claimyr to get accurate information.

Thanks for sharing actual numbers! That helps me estimate what I might get.

How long did it take for your claim to get approved? I filed 2 weeks ago and still waiting.

Mine took about 3 weeks because it went into adjudication. They had to verify my employment history.

I had the same problem until I found this service called Claimyr that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents. You just tell them what you need help with and they handle getting you connected. Check out claimyr.com - they even have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Saved me hours of calling.

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

It's worth it when you're stuck and need answers. Way better than spending all day redialing busy signals.

Good to know, thanks. I was planning to file this week. Did you have any problems with the online system or was it just slow processing?

the website crashes a lot especially on sundays when everyone tries to file their weekly claims. try filing early in the week or late at night when there's less traffic

That's the gross amount before taxes. You can choose to have taxes withheld or pay them later when you file your tax return.

Thanks! I think I'll have them withhold taxes to avoid a big bill later.

That's actually a pretty decent increase from last year. Good to know they adjust it regularly.

Yes, Washington is one of the better states for unemployment benefits. The maximum duration is also 26 weeks, which is standard, but the benefit amounts are higher than most states.

The $999 maximum applies to regular unemployment benefits. Partial unemployment and standby have different calculations. For partial benefits, they deduct your earnings from your weekly benefit amount using a specific formula.

Ok that makes sense. I wasn't sure if standby had its own separate maximum or something.

I mentioned Claimyr earlier in this thread - that's exactly the kind of situation where they help. Getting through to resolve benefit calculation issues is one of their main use cases.

I'm getting desperate enough to try anything at this point. The amount I'm getting is significantly less than what I calculated it should be.

That's super helpful math, thank you! I should be able to estimate mine pretty accurately now.

Wait, is that calculation right? I thought it was based on your highest quarter, not total base period earnings.

You're both right - it's calculated using your highest quarter earnings but the formula works out to roughly that percentage of total base period earnings for most people. The actual calculation is more complex but that's a good rule of thumb.

I feel your frustration. The adjudication process has been really backed up lately. What type of documentation are they asking for?

They just said 'employment verification' but I already submitted all my W2s and pay stubs. Nobody will give me a straight answer about what else they need.

This is exactly why I ended up using Claimyr. When you can actually talk to an agent through their service, you can get specific answers about what documentation you need instead of getting vague responses or no response at all.

What's considered high earnings? Like what salary would you need to get the full $999?

You'd need to earn at least $31,968 in your base period, with at least $7,992 in your highest quarter. That translates to roughly $65,000+ annual salary.

That's good advice. I'll definitely check that when I file. Is there a way to correct it if something's missing?

Yes, you can request a wage investigation if earnings are missing from your record. It can take time to resolve but it's worth it if it increases your benefit amount.

Are there any federal extensions available right now? I thought those ended after the pandemic.

Currently there are no federal extension programs active. You get up to 26 weeks of regular benefits and that's it unless something changes at the federal level.

So if my highest quarter was $22,000, I'd get $880 per week? That's actually not bad.

Exactly! And remember you can receive benefits for up to 26 weeks if you qualify, though you need to keep filing weekly claims and meet work search requirements.

Six weeks sounds like your claim might be in adjudication. Have you checked your SecureAccess Washington account to see if there are any issues that need to be resolved?

Yeah it just says 'adjudication in progress' with no other details. So frustrating.

That's good to know. At least Washington takes care of people better than some places.

yeah but the system is still broken if you cant even get through to file a claim properly

Yes, it was $929 for most of 2024, so the increase to $999 is pretty significant. They adjust it annually based on the state's average weekly wage.

That's a nice bump. Good timing since everything else is getting more expensive too.

Yeah other states have much lower maximums. Washington is actually one of the higher ones nationally.

True, though the cost of living here is also higher so it evens out somewhat.

What counts as a job search activity? I want to make sure I understand the requirements before I start filing.

applying for jobs, attending job fairs, networking events, career counseling, online training courses. they're pretty flexible but you have to keep good records in case they audit you

Washington doesn't provide additional benefits for dependents. The maximum is $999 per week regardless of whether you have children or other dependents. Some states do provide dependent allowances but Washington is not one of them.

Thanks, that's what I thought but wanted to confirm. Wish they did provide extra for families.

How much does something like that cost? I'm already tight on money being unemployed.

I'd rather not get into pricing details here, but for me it was worth it to get my claim issues resolved quickly rather than losing weeks of potential benefits while trying to reach someone.

With my salary that shouldn't be a problem. I'm more worried about the work search requirements if I do get laid off.

You'll need to make 3 work search activities per week and keep a log. Washington ESD has specific requirements about what counts as valid job search activities.

Yes, Washington adjusts the maximum benefit amount annually based on the state's average weekly wage. That's why it keeps going up each year.

Makes sense. Good that it keeps up with cost of living somewhat.

ok you guys convinced me, gonna try this claimyr thing

Hope it works out for you! The peace of mind of actually talking to someone at Washington ESD was worth it for me.

Good point. Hopefully I won't need it that long but good to know the limit.

The 26 weeks resets if you work enough to establish a new benefit year, in case anyone was wondering.

You can find your benefit calculation details in your Washington ESD account under 'Benefit Information' or 'Claim Summary.' It should show your base period wages and how they calculated your weekly benefit amount.

ok thanks i'll check that

Yes, Washington state adjusts the maximum benefit amount annually based on the average weekly wage. In 2024 it was $971, and in 2023 it was around $929. So it has been increasing each year.

That's good to know, thanks for the info!

Washington ESD can combine wages from other states through the Interstate Benefit Payment Plan. You'll need to provide documentation of your out-of-state wages when you file your claim.

Good to know, I worked in Oregon for part of last year so I'll make sure to include those wages.

26 weeks seems short when you're looking for a decent job. What happens after that?

You're on your own unless Congress extends benefits like they did during COVID. But that was unusual circumstances.

How many job search activities do you have to do each week? I keep seeing different numbers.

It's 3 job search activities per week in Washington. They can be applications, interviews, networking events, or other approved activities. Keep good records because they do audit people.

Yes, unemployment benefits are taxable income. You can choose to have 10% withheld for federal taxes when you file your weekly claims, but you'll still owe state taxes.

Ugh, of course they are. Still better than nothing I guess.

Standby unemployment uses the same benefit calculation as regular UI. The difference is you don't have to look for work since you expect to return to your job. But the weekly benefit amount would be calculated the same way.

Good to know, thanks! Hopefully I won't need it but want to be prepared.

That's frustrating! I used Claimyr when I had calculation questions and got consistent answers. Much better than playing phone tag with different agents.

I might have to try that. This back and forth is driving me crazy.

Oh wow, I didn't know that. So if I file now it wouldn't include my most recent work?

Right, there's usually a lag. You can sometimes use the alternate base period if the regular one doesn't qualify you for benefits.

their website is terrible, everything is buried in pdfs and confusing links

They do have a benefit calculator tool but it's not very user-friendly. You basically have to know all your quarterly wages to use it effectively.

I mentioned Claimyr earlier - seriously give it a try. I was in the same boat, couldn't get through to anyone for weeks. They got me connected to an actual person who could look at my account and answer my questions.

I saw your comment about that. I might have to try it because this is getting ridiculous.

The benefit calculation is the same whether you're on standby or regular UI. Standby just means you expect to return to your job within a certain timeframe, but the weekly benefit amount is calculated the same way.

Thanks, that's what I thought but wanted to double check.

Yes, if you qualify for dependent allowances, that's added on top of your regular benefit amount. So theoretically someone could get more than $999 if they have qualifying dependents.

Interesting, I didn't know about the dependent allowance. How do you qualify for that?

You need to have dependent children under 18 or a dependent spouse who isn't working. It's $25 per week for each qualifying dependent, up to 5 dependents maximum.

How much can you earn before it affects your benefits? Is it dollar for dollar reduction?

In Washington you can earn up to 25% of your weekly benefit amount without any reduction. After that, they reduce your benefit dollar for dollar. So if you get $999/week, you can earn up to about $250 without affecting your benefits.

The system is designed to partially replace your previous wages, so it makes sense that higher earners get more. The idea is to provide some income stability while you look for comparable work.

i guess that makes sense but its still confusing

How do you check if they have the right wage information?

Look at the 'Monetary Determination' in your Washington ESD account. It shows all the wages they have on file for your base period. Compare it to your pay stubs and W-2s to make sure everything is accurate.

How long did the appeal take? I think they might be missing some of my wages too.

It took about 8 weeks total, but that was during a busy period. The key is to submit your appeal with all your documentation (pay stubs, W-2s, etc.) as soon as possible after you get your determination.

Okay you've convinced me to try it. I've been calling for weeks with no luck.

Yeah definitely worth it if you need to actually talk to someone there. The automated system is pretty much useless for anything complicated.

Glad we could help! Make sure to keep filing your weekly claims on time and do your job search activities. The maximum benefit is great but you still have to follow all the requirements.

Absolutely, I'm staying on top of all the requirements. Thanks again!

How strict are they about the work search requirements? Like what if you can't find 3 legitimate activities in a week?

They're pretty strict. You can use things like updating your resume, attending virtual job fairs, networking on LinkedIn, etc. But you need to document everything properly.

That's normal. The base period is designed to use complete quarters of earnings, so there's always a lag. If your recent earnings were higher, you might be able to request an alternate base period.

How do I request an alternate base period? My recent salary was much higher than what they're using.

You'll need to contact Washington ESD directly to request it. This is another situation where Claimyr might help you get through to explain your situation.

because the government loves making simple things complicated

It's actually designed that way to ensure they have complete, verified wage data from employers. Using partial quarters would be less accurate.

Wait, there's additional money for dependents? How much and how many kids qualify?

Up to $26 per dependent child under 18, with a maximum of 5 dependents. So potentially an extra $130 per week if you have 5+ kids.

This is exactly why I recommend Claimyr to people. The phone system is intentionally difficult to navigate.

I should have tried that earlier. Wasted so much time on hold.

The $999 is just your base weekly benefit. You can add dependent allowances on top of that, but there's no other additional regular UI benefits.

Got it, thanks for clarifying!

Good point. I'll definitely file right away if I do get laid off. Better to have it in the system early.

Exactly! And make sure you have all your employer information ready when you file. Makes the process much smoother.

Seriously try Claimyr. I was in the same boat and it saved me weeks of frustration.

At this point I'll try anything. Thanks for the suggestion.

How often do they actually audit the work search logs?

It's random but they definitely do it. I got selected for a work search review after about 10 weeks on unemployment.

Good point. Even with max unemployment benefits, losing employer health insurance is a big hit to the budget.

Yeah, something to definitely plan for if you think layoffs might be coming.

Glad we could help! Hope you don't need to use any of this information, but good to be prepared.

Agreed, thanks to everyone who shared their knowledge and experiences!

Yes! And if you disagree with their calculation you can appeal it within 30 days of receiving the determination.

Good to know there's an appeal process if something seems wrong.

That's smart but you also can't wait too long or you might miss out on benefits entirely if you don't file within a reasonable time after becoming unemployed.

True, there's definitely a balance. You generally need to file within a year of your last day of work.

The benefit calculation is the same for standby status. The difference is you don't have to do job search activities since you're expecting to return to your employer.

That's helpful, thanks! The job search requirement was something I was worried about.

With partial benefits, you can earn up to your weekly benefit amount plus $5 before they start reducing your unemployment payment. So if your max is $999, you could earn $1,004 and still get some unemployment.

That's actually pretty generous. Good to know for planning purposes.

I gave up calling and used Claimyr to connect with an agent. Got my questions answered in one conversation instead of multiple frustrating calls.

Might be worth it just for the peace of mind. The uncertainty was stressing me out.

Right, qualifying for the amount and actually getting it are two different things. Thanks for the reminder.

Exactly. And make sure to report any work or income during your weekly claim filing, even small amounts.

True, though I wish it lasted longer than 26 weeks. Some people need more time to find work in their field.

Agreed. The duration vs amount tradeoff is always tough for policy makers.

Good point about the waiting week. I hadn't factored that into my timeline. Thanks everyone for all the helpful info!

You're welcome! Hope your claim goes smoothly if you end up filing.

Unemployment benefits are taxable income. You can choose to have 10% withheld for federal taxes when you file your weekly claims, but it's optional. No state income tax in Washington though.

Thanks, I'll definitely have them withhold taxes if I end up filing. Don't want a big surprise at tax time.

That sounds scary. What exactly do you have to report?

Any work you do during the week you're claiming, even just a few hours. And you have to report it on your weekly claim even if you haven't been paid yet.

Correct, you need to make at least 3 job search contacts each week and keep a log of your activities. This is separate from your benefit calculation but required to keep receiving payments.

Good, just wanted to make sure I had that right. The requirements can be confusing.

That's exactly what I'm worried about. Which is why I really need to talk to someone at Washington ESD about my situation.

That's when Claimyr really helps. They can get you connected to an agent who can explain what's holding up your claim and what you need to do to resolve it.

Partial unemployment benefits are calculated differently. You report your earnings for the week and they reduce your benefit payment accordingly. You might still qualify for some benefits even if you're working reduced hours.

That's helpful, my hours got cut way back so this might apply to me.

Right, so it would be $899.10 if you have the 10% federal tax withheld.

Exactly. Still a substantial amount though if you qualify for the full maximum.

Yes, the one-week waiting period was eliminated. You can receive benefits starting with your first week of unemployment if you're otherwise eligible.

Great, that makes a big difference when you first lose your job.

Yes, $999 is correct for 2025. Washington ESD announces the new rates in December each year and they go into effect January 1st.

Perfect, thanks for confirming. I wanted to make sure I had accurate information.

Glad it helped you! I still need to call about my specific situation though.

If you do need to call, definitely check out that Claimyr service I mentioned. Game changer for actually getting through to someone.

Good reminder. I'm hoping I won't need to file but if I do, I'll apply right away.

Smart approach. Better to be prepared and not need it than to need it and not be prepared.