What is the maximum unemployment benefit 2024 Washington ESD weekly amount?

The maximum weekly benefit amount in Washington for 2024 is $999 per week. This is calculated as 3.85% of the state's average annual wage. You'd need to have earned quite a bit in your base period to qualify for the maximum though - around $77,000 or more in your highest earning quarter.

wow 999 a week is almost 4k a month that seems like alot for unemployment

The maximum weekly benefit amount in Washington for 2024 is $999. This is calculated based on your highest quarter of earnings in your base year. To get the max, you'd need to have earned at least $76,923 in your highest quarter.

Thanks! That's higher than I expected. Do you know if that includes the dependent allowance too?

I've been trying to get through to Washington ESD for weeks to verify my benefit calculation and it's impossible. The phone lines are always busy and their online chat never works. Has anyone found a way to actually talk to someone there?

No, the $999 is just the base amount. You can get an additional $25 per week for each dependent child up to 5 kids, so theoretically the absolute maximum would be $1,124 per week.

Just to clarify the calculation - your weekly benefit amount is based on your earnings during your base period, which is typically the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file your claim. Washington ESD looks at your highest earning quarter and calculates roughly 3.85% of those earnings as your weekly benefit, up to the $999 maximum.

This is getting confusing with all the different calculation methods. Does Washington ESD have a benefit calculator tool somewhere?

The system is so complicated! I've been on unemployment for 8 weeks now and I'm still not sure if I'm getting the right amount. My weekly benefit is $447 but I have no idea how they came up with that number.

wow $999 a week? that's like $4000 a month! I'm only getting $387 weekly which feels like nothing

Question about the maximum - does the $999 change every year? I thought I read somewhere that it gets adjusted annually based on wage growth or something.

Yeah the range is huge. Most people get somewhere between $300-650 per week depending on their previous wages. The $999 max is only for people who were making really good money.

Just want to point out that even if you qualify for the maximum benefit, you still have to meet all the other requirements - filing weekly claims, job search activities, being able and available for work, etc. The amount doesn't matter if you don't stay compliant.

I'm getting $623 per week and thought that was pretty good until I saw the maximum is almost $1000! Now I'm wondering if they calculated mine wrong. Is there any way to appeal or request a recalculation?

makes sense i guess. still tough to live on $387 though

I've been trying to call Washington ESD for weeks to ask about my benefit calculation and can never get through. The phone lines are always busy or I get disconnected. Has anyone found a way to actually talk to someone there?

I had the same problem until I found Claimyr. It's a service that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents by phone. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me hours of calling.

does anyone know if the maximum applies to standby unemployment too? I'm on standby through my union and getting $482 per week

The whole system is so confusing. I've been trying to understand my benefit calculation for months and gave up. At least I'm getting something but I have no idea if it's correct.

For those asking about the calculation - it's not just highest quarter divided by 26 weeks. Washington uses a more complex formula that looks at your total base period wages and applies different percentages. The $999 maximum is what you'd get if you earned about $77,000+ in your highest quarter.

Interesting, I've never heard of that. Does it actually work? I'm desperate at this point.

I wish Washington ESD would just send everyone a clear breakdown of how their benefit was calculated. Having to guess or try to reverse-engineer it from online calculators is frustrating.

It worked for me. Got connected to an agent in about 20 minutes when I'd been trying to call for days with no luck.

The maximum has gone up quite a bit over the years. I remember when it was only like $600 something. Cost of living keeps going up so they have to adjust it.

True but $999 still doesn't go very far in Seattle or other expensive areas of Washington.

Absolutely. Better than nothing but definitely not enough to maintain your standard of living if you were making decent money before.

Don't forget you have to pay taxes on unemployment benefits. So that $999 maximum isn't what you actually take home.

Good point. Can you have taxes withheld automatically or do you have to pay quarterly?

You can choose to have 10% federal tax withheld when you file your weekly claims. Washington doesn't have state income tax so that's not an issue.

I forgot about that option and ended up owing a bunch at tax time. Definitely recommend having them withhold the 10%.

The benefit calculator on the Washington ESD website is pretty accurate if you want to estimate what you'll get. You just need your wage information from the last 18 months.

I tried that but it's confusing. It asks for wages by quarter and I'm not sure how to calculate that from my pay stubs.

You can also just wait for your monetary determination letter after you file your claim. That will show exactly what your weekly benefit amount will be.

Just to clarify - the $999 maximum is for regular unemployment insurance (UI). If you're on standby or have other special circumstances, the calculation might be different.

What's the difference between regular UI and standby? I keep seeing that term but don't understand it.

Standby is when your employer temporarily lays you off but expects to call you back within a specific timeframe. You don't have to do job searches but you have to be available to return when called.

I'm getting close to the maximum and honestly feel guilty about it. There are people struggling to get by on $300 a week and I'm getting almost $900.

Don't feel guilty! You paid into the system through your wages. The higher your previous earnings, the more you contributed in unemployment taxes.

Exactly. It's insurance that you paid for. You earned that benefit through your work history.

Thanks, that makes me feel better about it. Still job hunting every day though.

The system is still broken though. I know people who made $15/hour getting almost nothing while tech workers get $900+ a week. Something's not right about that.

That's how insurance works though. People who paid more in get more out. It's based on your previous wages for a reason.

I get that but when someone can't afford rent on their UI benefit, maybe the minimum should be higher even if the max stays the same.

The minimum is actually $336 per week in 2024, which is better than some states but you're right it's still not much.

Has anyone had issues with Washington ESD calculating their benefit amount wrong? I think mine should be higher based on my wages but I can't get through to ask them about it.

Yes! My initial calculation was off by about $100 per week. I used Claimyr to get through to an agent and they corrected it. Took about 3 weeks to get the adjustment but they did backpay the difference.

Good to know it can be fixed. I'll look into that Claimyr service. The regular phone number is impossible to get through on.

One thing to remember is that your benefit year is only 52 weeks total, and you can collect for a maximum of 26 weeks (unless there are extended benefits). So even at $999/week, it's not unlimited.

Right, and if you work part-time while collecting, it can stretch out longer but reduce your weekly amount.

Exactly. The partial benefit calculation is pretty complex too. Generally you can earn up to about $200 before it starts reducing your UI payment.

For anyone wondering, the $999 maximum will probably go up again in 2025. They usually adjust it annually based on average wages in the state.

That's good to know. Hopefully I'll be back to work by then but it's nice that they keep it current with inflation.

The adjustments are usually announced in the fall for the following year. You can check the Washington ESD website for updates.

Quick tip - make sure your employer properly reported all your wages. I had a quarter where they messed up my W-2 and it affected my benefit calculation. Had to provide pay stubs to get it corrected.

How did you find out they reported it wrong? Did Washington ESD tell you or did you have to figure it out yourself?

I noticed when I got my monetary determination. The wages shown were way lower than what I actually earned that quarter. Always double-check those numbers.

Bottom line is most people won't get anywhere near the $999 maximum. The average weekly benefit in Washington is somewhere around $550 I think.

That sounds about right. I'm getting $612 which feels pretty typical from what I've seen in these forums.

Yeah the maximum gets all the attention but most people are somewhere in the $400-700 range depending on their job.

Just to close the loop on this - the 2024 maximum weekly benefit amount in Washington is $999, it's adjusted annually, and you need high earnings in your base period to qualify for it. Most people get significantly less than the maximum.