What is the maximum weekly unemployment benefit in Washington state?

Thanks! So if I made $65,000 last year, I probably won't get the maximum then?

Right, it depends on your quarterly earnings during your base period, not your annual salary. The base period is typically the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file.

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.

Washington ESD updates the maximum benefit amount every year based on the state's average weekly wage. It's been increasing steadily - the $1,015 is the 2025 amount.

Wow, that's a pretty big jump from what I remember. Good to know!

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

The maximum is $999 but most people don't qualify for that amount. Your weekly benefit is calculated as roughly 3.85% of your highest quarter earnings, up to that maximum.

Ah that makes sense. My highest quarter was probably around $20,000 so no wonder I'm not getting close to the max.

Yes, the minimum weekly benefit amount in Washington is $295 per week for 2025. You need to have earned at least $7,689 in your base period to qualify for any unemployment benefits.

ok thats helpful thanks

Yes! I've called like 50 times and either get a busy signal or sit on hold for hours before getting disconnected. It's incredibly frustrating when you have important questions about your claim.

I found this service called Claimyr that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Basically they handle the calling and waiting for you.

Interesting, I'll check that out. At this point I'm willing to try anything to actually talk to someone at Washington ESD.

The calculation is based on your wages during your base period, which is usually the first four of the last five completed quarters before you file. They take your total base period wages, divide by 52, then multiply by 3.85% to get your weekly benefit amount.

That formula helps a lot, thanks. I wish Washington ESD explained it that clearly on their website.

No, the $1,015 maximum is just the base unemployment benefit. If you qualify for dependents allowance (having dependents under 18), you can get an additional $25 per week on top of your regular benefit amount.

Wait, there's extra money for having kids? How do I apply for that?

Good point! I'm on standby and my benefit amount is calculated differently since I'm still technically employed.

What's the difference with standby status? I might be in that situation soon.

If you file in January 2025, your base period would typically be January 2024 through December 2024. But Washington ESD can also use an alternate base period if it results in a higher benefit amount - that would be April 2024 through March 2025.

Got it, so they use whatever gives me the higher benefit amount. That's actually pretty fair.

Yeah I remember when it went up from like $844 to $999. Pretty significant increase!

The increases are tied to the state's average weekly wage. Washington has been seeing good wage growth so the UI maximum has been going up accordingly.

Don't feel bad, most people get somewhere between $200-$500 per week. The maximum is really just for very high earners.

That makes me feel better. $327 covers most of my basic expenses anyway.

Yes, the minimum weekly benefit amount in Washington is $295 for 2025. But you still have to meet the monetary eligibility requirements to qualify for any benefits at all.

Thanks! I'll let them know. They were worried they wouldn't qualify for anything.

You should still file! You can't get benefits for weeks before you file, but you can still claim unemployment if you're still unemployed. The sooner you file, the sooner you can start receiving benefits.

yeah i guess i was just embarrassed about filing. but bills are piling up so time to swallow my pride

Yeah I learned this the hard way when I got a small severance check and they deducted it from my benefits.

The deduction rules are pretty complex. Sometimes they spread severance payments over multiple weeks instead of taking it all at once.

How much did that cost you?

It was worth it to get actual answers instead of guessing. Way cheaper than the stress and time I was wasting trying to call on my own.

The maximum weekly benefit in 2024 was $999, so it increased by $16 for 2025. Washington state adjusts it annually based on the average weekly wage in the state.

That's a pretty modest increase considering inflation. Better than nothing though.

Yes, you should be able to see your weekly benefit amount and maximum benefit amount in your eServices account once your claim is processed.

Perfect, I'll check there. I was starting to worry something was wrong with my claim.

How much does that service cost? I'm already tight on money waiting for my benefits to start.

It's worth checking their website for current pricing. For me it was worth it just to avoid the stress of constantly calling and getting nowhere.

Yeah you need to make at least 3 job search contacts per week and keep detailed records in case they audit you.

The job search requirements are no joke. They can disqualify you if you don't meet them properly.

Your weekly benefit amount is based on your wages during the base period, so you can't really appeal it unless Washington ESD made an error in calculating your wages. You can request a review if you think they used incorrect wage information.

Makes sense. I was hoping there was some way to get more but sounds like it's just math.

Which calculator did you use? I'm trying to figure out if it's worth filing before I find another job.

I used the one on the Washington ESD website but like I said, talking to an agent was way more helpful for understanding the nuances.

Good point! Do you know what that formula is?

It's complicated but basically they subtract your gross earnings from your weekly benefit amount, but only after you earn more than 25% of your weekly benefit. So there's a small earnings disregard.

You're right - most people don't get the maximum. You'd need to have earned at least $78,000 in your highest earning quarter, which means making over $300,000 annually. That's well above the average Washington worker's salary.

Yeah that makes sense. So the maximum is more theoretical for most people.

Seems like a few people here have had success with that service. Might be worth trying if you can't get through the normal way.

Definitely recommend it if you're having trouble reaching Washington ESD. The agents are the same ones you'd talk to calling directly, just without the endless hold times.

The weekly benefit amounts we're discussing are before taxes. You can choose to have federal and state taxes withheld from your unemployment payments, or you can pay them when you file your tax return.

Thanks, that's what I figured but wanted to make sure.

Same here! Glad I asked the question because I learned a lot from everyone's responses.

Yeah, this community is great for getting real answers about Washington ESD stuff that's hard to find elsewhere.

good point about the duration. so even if you get the max weekly amount its not permanent

Exactly. Unemployment is meant to be temporary assistance while you search for work, not a long-term solution.

To get the maximum $1,015, you'd need to have earned the maximum taxable wage base in your highest quarter. For 2025, that means earning at least $78,000 in one quarter, which typically requires an annual salary of $300,000 or more.

Wow, that's way higher than I thought. No wonder most people don't get the maximum.

Glad the Claimyr suggestion helped! That service really made a difference for me when I was struggling to get through to Washington ESD.

Yeah, it's good to know there are options when the regular phone lines aren't working. Will definitely keep it in mind.

Washington is definitely on the higher end. Some states max out around $400-$500 per week, while others like Massachusetts can go over $1000.

It varies a lot by state. Washington's cost of living is pretty high so the higher maximum makes sense.

Correct, that's the gross amount. You can choose to have 10% withheld for federal taxes or pay them when you file your tax return.

I always have them withhold the taxes. Makes filing easier and avoids a big tax bill later.

That's a good point. The lag time in the base period calculation can definitely work against you if your income was trending upward.

Yeah I got a promotion in October but my claim is based on earnings from way before that. Kind of frustrating.

That's good to hear. I've been putting off calling because I know how impossible it is to get through on my own.

Yeah the traditional way of calling is basically useless at this point. At least with Claimyr you know you'll actually talk to someone.