What is the max unemployment benefit amount in Washington state?

The maximum weekly benefit amount for Washington ESD unemployment is $999 per week as of 2025. This is based on your highest earning quarter in your base period. You also need to meet the minimum earnings requirements to qualify for the maximum.

The maximum weekly benefit amount in Washington for 2025 is $999 per week. This is based on your highest quarter of earnings in your base period. You need to have earned at least $1,498.50 in your highest quarter to qualify for the maximum.

The maximum weekly benefit amount in Washington for 2025 is $999 per week. This is based on your highest earning quarter in your base period. You need to have earned at least $2,997 in your highest quarter to qualify for the maximum amount.

The maximum weekly benefit amount in Washington is $999 as of 2025. This is based on your earnings during your base year, but there's definitely a cap regardless of how much you made.

The maximum weekly benefit amount in Washington is $999 per week as of 2025. It's calculated based on your gross wages from your base year, not after taxes. They look at your highest earning quarter and use a formula to determine your weekly benefit amount.

The maximum weekly benefit amount in Washington for 2025 is $999 per week. This is based on your highest quarter of earnings in your base period. You need to have earned at least $62,500 in your highest quarter to qualify for the maximum.

wait i thought it was only like $700 something? when did it go up to $999?

yeah i think its around $900 something but not sure exactly. depends on how much you made before you got laid off

Thanks! That's higher than I expected. Do you know what the minimum earnings requirement is to get the max amount?

wait is it really $999? that seems like a lot compared to other states

The maximum weekly benefit amount in Washington for 2025 is $999 per week. This is based on your highest earning quarter in your base period. You need to have made at least $62,475 in your highest quarter to qualify for the max amount.

The maximum weekly benefit amount in Washington for 2025 is $999 per week. This is based on your highest earning quarter during your base period. You need to have earned at least $74,925 in your highest quarter to qualify for the max amount.

Thanks! So with my salary I should qualify for close to the max then?

Just to add - you can also get an additional $25 per week if you have dependents under 18. So technically the max could be higher if you qualify for the dependency allowance.

I had such a hard time getting through to Washington ESD to ask about my benefit calculation. Spent hours calling and either got busy signals or got disconnected. Finally found this service called Claimyr that helped me get through - they have a system that calls for you. Check out claimyr.com, they even have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works.

Thanks! That's higher than I expected. How do they calculate the base period exactly?

I've been trying to get through to Washington ESD for weeks to check my benefit calculation and it's impossible. The phone lines are always busy and when I do get through, I get disconnected. So frustrating!

The $999 max is correct but remember you also have to meet the job search requirements to keep getting benefits. You need to do 3 job search activities per week and register with WorkSource.

ugh the whole system is so confusing. i filed three weeks ago and still haven't gotten any money. my claim just says pending adjudication

Quick question - does the $999 max include taxes or is that before taxes?

I've been trying to call Washington ESD for weeks to verify my benefit amount but can never get through. Their phone system is completely overwhelmed. Has anyone found a way to actually reach someone there?

Just be aware that the $999 maximum is before taxes. You'll want to have them withhold federal and state taxes or you'll owe a bunch come tax time.

yeah but good luck actually getting that much lol. been waiting 3 weeks for my claim to get approved and can't even get through to anyone at washington esd

You need to have earned at least $74,925 in your highest quarter to qualify for the maximum $999 weekly benefit. Washington ESD calculates it as 3.85% of your highest quarter earnings.

The benefit calculation is confusing but here's what I learned from my experience. Washington ESD looks at your base period which is the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters before you filed. They take your two highest quarters, add them together, divide by 26, then multiply by 0.0385. That gives you your weekly benefit amount up to the maximum.

Probably, but it depends on your work history during your base year. The base year is typically the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file.

Thanks! That's helpful. Do you know how they calculate which quarters count as the base period?

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

The Washington ESD website says you need to earn at least 680 hours or $8,019 during your base period to qualify for benefits at all. Make sure you meet those minimums first.

Keep in mind that even if you qualify for the maximum weekly amount, you still have to meet all the other requirements like doing job searches and being able and available for work.

Your base period is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you filed your claim. So if you filed in January 2025, it would be January 2024 through December 2024.

i think its actually lower than that, like $800 something? my friend got laid off last month and shes only getting around $650 a week

so if someone was making like $120k a year would they definitely get the max benefit?

Just wanted to add that even if you qualify for the max, you still have to meet all the other requirements like job searching and being available for work. The benefit amount is just one piece of the puzzle.

Just to add to this - the $999 is before taxes. If you choose to have taxes withheld, they'll take out 10% for federal taxes. So you'd actually receive about $899 per week after taxes.

I think it's actually lower than that. When I filed last year it was around $844 max. Did they increase it recently?

wait i thought it was like $800 something? did it go up recently

Does anyone know if the maximum includes the additional $25 from the state supplement program?

Your friend probably isn't getting the maximum because she didn't earn enough in her highest quarter. The $999 is definitely the max - it gets updated every year based on the state average weekly wage.

oh ok that makes sense, she was working part time for part of last year

I got the maximum benefit last year when I was laid off from Amazon. The process was pretty straightforward once I figured out how to navigate the Washington ESD website. Just make sure you file your weekly claims on time!

The $999 max is correct but remember that's before taxes. They don't automatically withhold federal taxes unless you request it, so plan accordingly for tax season.

wait really?? I didn't know they could take taxes out. How do you set that up?

I'm getting the max amount but it's taking forever for my weekly claims to process. Anyone else having issues with payment delays?

The maximum benefit duration is still 26 weeks in Washington, right? I want to make sure I understand how long I can collect.

Update: I tried that Claimyr thing someone mentioned earlier and actually got through to Washington ESD today! Turns out there was an issue with my work separation that was holding up my claim. The rep was able to explain what documentation I need to submit.

Just want to point out that the benefit amount also depends on when you file. If you wait too long after losing your job, it could affect your base year calculation.

Yes, they adjust it annually based on the state's average weekly wage. The $999 is the current 2025 maximum.

Yes, Washington ESD adjusts the maximum benefit amount annually based on the state's average weekly wage. It went up from $929 in 2024 to $999 in 2025.

For anyone wondering about the minimum, it's $295 per week in Washington. You need to have earned at least $3,327 in your base period to qualify for any benefits at all.

I've been trying to call Washington ESD for weeks to verify my benefit amount because something seems off with my calculation. The phone lines are always busy and I keep getting disconnected. Has anyone found a way to actually get through to talk to someone?

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 forever. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me hours of calling.

wait is this per week or per month?? i thought unemployment was like $400 a week max

Another question - how long can you collect the maximum amount? Is it still 26 weeks in Washington?

Yeah, you can elect to have federal taxes withheld when you file your weekly claims. There's a checkbox option in your SecureAccess Washington account.

I've been trying to get through to Washington ESD for weeks to check my benefit calculation and it's impossible. The phone lines are always busy and I get disconnected every time. Has anyone found a way to actually talk to someone there?

Good to know, thanks for the correction!

THE WASHINGTON ESD SYSTEM IS SO BROKEN!!! I've been waiting 6 weeks for them to process my claim and I still don't know what my benefit amount will be. Every time I call they just say 'it's under review' with no timeline. This is ridiculous when people need money to survive!

Don't forget about the waiting week! Your first week won't be paid even if you're eligible.

Does anyone know if overtime pay counts toward the benefit calculation? I worked a lot of OT last year.

oh nice that's a decent increase

I had the same problem until I found this service called Claimyr. They actually got me connected to a Washington ESD agent within 2 hours. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works.

Just wanted to share that I successfully used Claimyr last week to get through to Washington ESD about my benefit calculation. The agent was able to explain exactly how they calculated my weekly amount and why it was less than the maximum even though I thought I qualified. Turns out one of my quarters had lower earnings than I remembered. Worth the peace of mind to actually talk to someone.

I've been getting the max for about 2 months now. The key is making sure your wage history is accurate when you file. Double check that Washington ESD has all your employers listed correctly.

You can use the benefit calculator on the Washington ESD website to get an estimate. But honestly, trying to reach them by phone to verify is nearly impossible. I've been trying for weeks to get through to an agent about my claim issues.

I've been trying to call Washington ESD for weeks to get clarification on my benefit amount but can never get through. The phone lines are always busy or I get disconnected after waiting for hours. Has anyone found a way to actually talk to someone there?

If you're getting the maximum benefit amount, make sure your employer doesn't contest your claim. High earners sometimes face more scrutiny about the reason for separation.

I don't want to get into pricing here, but it was worth it for me. The alternative was calling hundreds of times and never getting through. They basically handle the calling part so you don't have to sit there hitting redial all day.

The Washington ESD system is actually pretty good compared to other states I've lived in. The online portal works most of the time and the benefit amounts are decent.

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

It was totally worth it for me. Way better than spending hours on hold and getting nowhere. The peace of mind alone was worth it when I needed to resolve my adjudication issue.

Keep in mind the maximum benefit amount changes every year. Washington state adjusts it based on average wages. In 2024 it was $929, so $999 is the new amount for 2025.

Good to know it goes up each year. I wonder if it will keep increasing with inflation.

Yeah, it's tied to the state's average weekly wage formula. As wages go up across Washington, so does the maximum UI benefit.

Does anyone know if the maximum applies to all types of unemployment benefits? Like if you're on standby status or something?

Yes, the $999 maximum applies to regular UI benefits regardless of whether you're on standby or actively seeking work. Standby just means you're temporarily laid off but expect to return to your job.

Oh okay, I wasn't sure if standby had different rules. Thanks for clarifying!

I'm confused about how they calculate the benefit amount. Is it really just 3.85% of your highest quarter? That seems like a weird percentage.

It's actually a range between 3.2% and 3.85% depending on your earnings pattern across all four quarters in your base period. The 3.85% is for people with steady high earnings.

The formula is pretty complex. Washington ESD looks at your total base period earnings and how they're distributed across quarters to determine your exact percentage.

Man this is more complicated than I thought. I might need to call them to understand my specific calculation.

Just want to mention that even if you qualify for the maximum, you still have to meet all the other requirements like job search activities. The amount doesn't matter if you don't maintain eligibility.

Right, I need to do the job search requirements through WorkSourceWA. How many job contacts do I need per week again?

You need to make at least 3 job search activities per week and log them in your WorkSourceWA account. This includes applying for jobs, networking, job fairs, etc.

I'm getting the maximum amount and let me tell you, it's been a lifesaver while I look for work. Just make sure you're reporting any part-time work correctly or you'll end up with an overpayment situation.

What happens if you work part-time? Do they reduce your benefits?

Yeah, they deduct your gross earnings from your weekly benefit amount, but you can earn up to about $200 without affecting your benefits due to the earnings disregard.

The earnings disregard is 25% of your weekly benefit amount. So if you get $999, you can earn up to about $250 without reduction.

Does the maximum benefit amount include the additional $600 federal boost or is that separate?

There's no federal boost anymore. That was only during the pandemic through programs like FPUC. The $999 is just the regular Washington state unemployment benefit.

Oh right, I forgot those ended. Thanks for the reminder.

I've been getting unemployment for a few weeks now but I'm not sure if I'm getting the right amount. My claim says I'm getting $850 per week. How can I find out what I should be getting based on my wages?

You should be able to see your wage history and benefit calculation in your SecureAccess Washington account under claim details. If it's not clear, you might need to call Washington ESD.

Good luck calling them. I mentioned earlier that I've been trying for weeks. Claimyr really helped me get through when I had questions about my benefit amount.

I'll check my SAW account first. If I can't figure it out, I might try that Claimyr service you mentioned.

Quick question - is the $999 maximum the same for everyone in Washington or does it vary by region?

It's the same statewide. Washington ESD uses one maximum benefit amount for the entire state, unlike some other states that have regional variations.

Good to know. I wasn't sure if Seattle area had different amounts since cost of living is so high.

For anyone wondering about the duration, you can receive benefits for up to 26 weeks in Washington state, assuming you maintain eligibility and don't exhaust your benefit year earnings.

So theoretically someone could get $999 x 26 weeks = almost $26,000 total?

Exactly, assuming they maintain eligibility the entire time and don't find work. But most people find work before exhausting all 26 weeks.

That's assuming your benefit year balance lasts 26 weeks too. If you didn't earn enough in your base period, you might run out sooner.

I just want to add that if you think your benefit amount is wrong, you can appeal the decision. I had to do this when Washington ESD miscalculated my wages from a previous employer.

How long does the appeal process take? I want to make sure I'm getting the right amount but don't want to wait forever.

Mine took about 6 weeks total. You have to file the appeal within 30 days of getting your monetary determination letter.

this is all so confusing... I just want to know if ill get enough to pay my rent while looking for work

The best thing to do is look at your last few pay stubs and add up your highest earning quarter. Then multiply by 3.85% to get a rough estimate of your weekly benefit.

ok ill try that. hopefully its close to accurate

One thing to remember is that unemployment benefits are taxable income. You'll get a 1099-G form at tax time and need to report it on your tax return.

That's why I elected to have taxes withheld. Better to get less each week than owe a bunch at tax time.

Smart move. A lot of people forget about the tax implications and get surprised come April.

I'm still in adjudication after 3 weeks and haven't received any payments yet. Will I get the full amount backdated once they approve my claim?

Yes, if your claim gets approved you'll receive back payment for all eligible weeks while you were in adjudication, assuming you filed your weekly claims.

Good to know. I've been filing my weekly claims just in case. This waiting is killing me though.

I was in adjudication for over a month before using Claimyr to get through to someone at Washington ESD. They were able to expedite my case and I got approved within a week after that.

Does anyone know if the maximum amount applies to people who were self-employed? I know there are different rules for gig workers.

Self-employed people aren't eligible for regular UI benefits in Washington. You might be thinking of federal programs that ended, but those had different benefit amounts anyway.

Oh right, I was confusing it with the pandemic programs. Thanks for clarifying.

Just wanted to share that I was able to verify my benefit calculation by requesting a detailed breakdown from Washington ESD. It shows exactly how they calculated my weekly amount based on my wage history.

How did you request that? Through your online account or by phone?

I had to call them. It's not available online but they can email you a detailed breakdown if you ask. Getting through was the hard part though.

The $999 maximum is nice but remember you have to actually qualify for it. Most people get less than the maximum because they didn't earn enough in their highest quarter.

What's the average benefit amount in Washington? Just curious how the maximum compares to what most people actually get.

I don't have exact numbers but I'd guess the average is probably around $400-500 per week. The maximum is really only for high earners.

Thanks everyone for all the info! This thread has been super helpful. I feel like I understand the benefit calculation much better now.

Glad we could help! Feel free to ask if you have any other questions about the unemployment process.

The benefit amount is calculated using your two highest earning quarters in your base period. So even if you had one really good quarter, they'll average it with your second-best quarter.

I've been getting the max for 8 weeks now and it's been pretty straightforward. Just make sure you file your weekly claims on time and keep up with the job search requirements.

The system is so confusing! I spent hours trying to figure out if I qualify for the maximum amount. Wish there was an easier way to get answers.

Remember that if you work part-time while collecting unemployment, your benefits will be reduced. They deduct 75% of your gross earnings from your weekly benefit amount.

The maximum benefit amount changes every year, so if you file a claim next year it might be different. Always check the current rates on the Washington ESD website.

Important reminder that you can only collect unemployment for up to 26 weeks in Washington, regardless of your benefit amount. Just want to make sure people plan accordingly.

If you're making close to the maximum benefit, make sure you're taking advantage of any job training programs Washington ESD offers. They can extend your benefits in some cases.

Final update: got my benefit determination today and I'm getting $847 per week. Not the full maximum but pretty close! Thanks everyone for the help, especially the person who recommended Claimyr.

For anyone still confused about the calculation, Washington ESD has a benefit estimator tool on their website. It's not 100% accurate but gives you a ballpark figure.

One more thing - if you think your benefit calculation is wrong, you can appeal it. I had to do that once when they miscalculated my wages.

Thanks for all the info everyone! This thread has been really helpful. The $999 maximum is good to know for planning purposes.

Just remember that unemployment is temporary. Focus on your job search and use the time wisely. The maximum benefit helps but it's not meant to replace your full salary long-term.

Just want to add that even if you qualify for the maximum weekly amount, you still have to meet all the other requirements like doing your job search activities and filing your weekly claims on time. The amount doesn't matter if you mess up the other stuff.

Good point. I'm still figuring out all the job search requirements. Do you know how many job contacts we need to make each week?

It's 3 job search activities per week in Washington. Can be applications, interviews, networking events, etc. Just make sure you keep track of everything in your job search log.

The max has definitely gone up over the years. I remember when it was like $700 something a few years ago. At least they're trying to keep up with cost of living increases.

Yeah but it's still not enough if you were making really good money. I was making $120k and $999 a week is way less than what I was bringing home.

True, but it's better than nothing while you're looking for work. Plus you can't expect unemployment to replace your full salary.

IMPORTANT: Make sure you report ANY income while collecting benefits, even if it's just a few hours of freelance work. I know someone who got hit with an overpayment notice because they didn't report some side gig money. Washington ESD will find out eventually.

How do they find out about unreported income?

They cross-reference with tax records and employer wage reports. It might take a while but they'll catch it. Always better to report everything upfront.

This is so true! My cousin had to pay back like $2000 because of unreported earnings. Not worth the risk.

Does anyone know if the maximum changes during the year or is it set at the beginning of each year? I'm wondering if I should wait to file my claim.

It's set at the beginning of each year and doesn't change. Don't wait to file - your benefit year starts when you file your initial claim, and delaying just means you lose potential weeks of benefits.

Got it, thanks. I'll file this week then.

Question about the calculation - do bonuses count toward the earnings they use to determine your weekly benefit amount? I got a pretty big bonus last year.

Yes, bonuses count as wages for unemployment purposes. They'll be included in whichever quarter they were paid, which could help you reach that maximum benefit amount.

Awesome, that should definitely help my calculation then.

I'm still confused about how they determine which earnings to use. Is it really just your highest earning quarter that matters?

Your weekly benefit amount is based on your highest earning quarter, but you also need to meet minimum earnings requirements across your entire base period to qualify at all. It's not just about one quarter.

Ok that makes more sense. I was worried because I had one really good quarter but the others were lower.

Just want to mention that if you think your benefit amount is wrong, you can appeal it. I had to do this because they miscalculated my earnings initially.

How long did the appeal process take?

About 6-8 weeks for them to review and adjust my benefit amount. Worth it though because I was getting underpaid by about $200 per week.

For anyone still having trouble getting through to Washington ESD by phone, I recently discovered Claimyr and it worked great for me. I needed to check on why my benefit calculation seemed low and couldn't get through on my own. The service got me connected to an agent within a few hours instead of days of trying.

I'm really considering this. How exactly does it work?

You basically give them your info and they handle all the calling and waiting. When they get an agent on the line, they conference you in. Way better than sitting there hitting redial all day.

The maximum benefit amount is good but remember you can only collect for 26 weeks maximum in Washington (unless there are extensions). So even if you get $999/week, plan accordingly.

Good reminder. Hopefully I'll find something before then but it's good to know the limit.

Actually it can be less than 26 weeks depending on your earnings history. Some people only qualify for like 14-20 weeks.

Make sure you're looking at gross earnings, not net, when trying to figure out if you'll get the maximum. I was calculating based on my take-home pay and got confused.

That's a good point. I was looking at my net pay on my paystubs.

Yeah, they use your gross wages before taxes and deductions. Check your W-2 or paystub gross amounts.

The whole system is confusing but at least Washington's benefits are decent compared to other states. Some states max out at like $400-500 per week.

True, we're lucky to live in Washington for unemployment benefits. Cost of living is high but at least the benefits somewhat match.

Yeah I have friends in other states who get barely anything. Makes job searching even more stressful.

One more tip - if you worked in multiple states during your base period, you might be able to combine wages from different states to get a higher benefit amount. It's called an interstate claim.

I only worked in Washington so that doesn't apply to me, but good to know for others.

Yeah, it's not common but can really help some people maximize their benefits.

Thanks everyone for all the info! This thread has been super helpful. I feel much more confident about filing my claim now and knowing what to expect for my benefit amount.

Glad we could help! Good luck with your claim and job search.

Hope everything goes smoothly for you. Don't hesitate to use services like Claimyr if you need to talk to someone at Washington ESD - sometimes it's worth it to avoid the phone hassle.

I work in HR and deal with unemployment claims regularly. The $999 maximum is correct for 2025. Most people don't realize that the calculation also depends on having sufficient earnings spread across multiple quarters, not just one high-earning quarter. You need earnings in at least two quarters of your base period.

quick question - does the max amount change if you're on standby status vs regular unemployment?

I remember when the maximum was only like $700 something a few years ago. It's good they've increased it to keep up with cost of living, especially here in Seattle where everything is so expensive.

For anyone still confused about the calculation, Washington ESD has a benefit calculator on their website, but honestly it's not very user-friendly. Sometimes it's easier to just call and have them walk you through it, though good luck getting through on the phone.

Does anyone know if overtime hours count differently in the benefit calculation? I worked a ton of overtime in my highest earning quarter.

Just filed my claim yesterday and I'm curious how long it takes to find out your benefit amount. Anyone know the typical timeline?

Thanks everyone for all the helpful info! I feel like I have a much better understanding of how the maximum benefit works now. Sounds like I should qualify for close to the max based on my earnings history.

I had the same problem until I found this service called Claimyr. They basically call for you and get you connected to an actual ESD agent. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

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

It's way cheaper than taking time off work to sit on hold all day. I used it last month and got through to ESD in like 20 minutes instead of the usual 3+ hour wait.

Just to clarify for everyone - the $999 maximum is for regular UI benefits only. If you're on standby status or have other types of claims, the amounts might be different. Also remember you still have to meet all the eligibility requirements like job search activities.

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

You need to make at least 3 job search activities per week and keep a log of them. This includes applying for jobs, attending job fairs, networking events, etc.

The whole system is so confusing. I got laid off in December and still don't understand how they calculated my benefit amount. Mine came out to $634 per week but I have no idea how they got that number.

Your weekly benefit amount is calculated as a percentage of your average weekly wage during your base period. Generally it's about 50% of your average weekly wage, but there are minimums and maximums.

That makes sense. Is there somewhere I can see the exact calculation they used for my claim?

You should be able to see this information in your eServices account on the ESD website. If not, you might need to call them for details.