What is unemployment pay in Washington - how much can I expect to get?

So if I was making around $630 a week before, I'd get maybe $400-450 per week?

That sounds about right, but Washington ESD will calculate the exact amount when you file your claim.

Oh okay that makes more sense. So it's like insurance I already paid for? How much money would I actually get though?

Right, exactly like insurance. The amount depends on your earnings from your highest-paid quarter in the past year. In Washington, the maximum weekly benefit is around $1,015 but most people get less than that.

How many jobs do I have to apply for each week?

In Washington you need to do 3 job search activities per week. That can be applying for jobs, going to job fairs, networking events, etc. You have to keep a log of everything you do.

26 weeks sounds like a decent amount of time. Do I have to do anything while I'm getting benefits or can I just collect the money?

You have to file weekly claims every week, prove you're looking for work, and be able and available to work. There are job search requirements you need to meet.

The job search requirements are no joke - you need to do at least 3 job search activities per week and keep detailed records.

I had the same problem until someone told me about Claimyr. It's a service that calls Washington ESD for you and gets you connected to an actual person. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me hours of calling.

Interesting, I'll have to look into that. Getting through to Washington ESD is impossible otherwise.

How long can you get it for?

In Washington, regular unemployment benefits last up to 26 weeks, but it can be less depending on how much you worked before filing.

That's what I'm worried about! What if I mess something up on the application and can't get help?

I actually found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get through to Washington ESD agents when I needed to talk to someone. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me hours of calling.

I was making about $4,000 a month at my last job. Any idea what I might qualify for?

With those wages you'd probably get close to the maximum weekly benefit, maybe around $900-1000 per week. But you'd need to apply to get the exact amount.

That's way more than I expected unemployment to pay! I thought it was like $200 a week or something.

Adjudication can take weeks or even months unfortunately. Washington ESD has to verify the reason you left your job before they can approve benefits.

It's been 12 weeks! How is that even legal?

You should definitely try calling them through Claimyr if you haven't already. When you're stuck in adjudication that long, sometimes talking to an actual person can help move things along.

What if you haven't worked a full year?

You need earnings in at least 2 quarters during your base year, and your total earnings need to be at least 1.25 times your highest quarter. If you worked 2 years at retail, you should definitely qualify.

Wait, really? They tax unemployment money?

Yep, it's considered taxable income. You can have taxes withheld from your weekly payments or pay at the end of the year.

What counts as 'suitable work'? Do I have to take any job offer even if it pays way less than my old job?

Generally you don't have to accept work that pays significantly less than your previous job, especially early in your benefit period. But the definition of 'suitable' can change over time.

I'll check that out, thanks!

What kind of questions do they ask? Do I need to have specific proof of my job search?

yeah you need to track where you applied, dates, contact info etc. they can audit your job search log so keep good records

Exactly - Washington ESD can request your job search documentation at any time. I keep a spreadsheet with all my applications, networking activities, and other job search efforts.

That's reassuring to hear it actually worked for someone.

Good to know, I was going to wait until next week but I'll file today.

Yep, keep detailed records of everything. Date, company name, position, how you applied, etc.

Wait, so I have to pay taxes on unemployment money? That seems wrong...

Yeah, it's taxable income. You can choose to have taxes withheld from your weekly benefits or pay them when you file your tax return next year.

When do I need to file the weekly claims? Is there a specific day?

You can file starting Sunday morning for the previous week. I always do mine Sunday morning so I don't forget. The deadline is Saturday night but don't wait that long.

You can appeal overpayment notices if you disagree. Make sure you have documentation of what you reported and when.

I didn't know about the waiting week. So even if I apply today, I won't get money for at least a week?

Correct, there's a one-week waiting period. But that week starts counting from when you file your claim, so the earlier you apply, the earlier benefits can start.

That's what I'm hoping for. The whole process seems overwhelming right now.

Same problem here! I tried calling Washington ESD for days and kept getting busy signals or got disconnected after waiting on hold forever.

That's exactly why I ended up using Claimyr - it got me through to an actual person at Washington ESD who could fix my wage issue. Worth every penny when you're stressed about money.

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

They have a system that handles all the calling and waiting on hold, then connects you when they get through to an agent. Check out their demo video to see how it works.

What if I don't remember exact dates or wage amounts from previous jobs?

Do your best to be accurate. You can check old pay stubs, tax forms, or bank statements if you have them. Washington ESD will verify wage information with employers anyway.

Okay you've all convinced me. I'm going to start the application today. Thanks for explaining everything in terms I could understand!

Good luck! Remember, this is a safety net you've already paid for through your work. Don't feel bad about using it when you need it.

This is really solid advice! I've been putting off filing because I thought I might find something quickly, but you're right - I shouldn't wait. Even if I do find a job soon, at least I'll have the safety net in place. Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it, right?

What kind of documentation should I keep?

Keep records of your job search activities, any correspondence with Washington ESD, wage statements, and documentation of your job separation. Basically anything related to your unemployment claim.

That's exactly what I need right now. Just something to help with basic expenses while I look for another job.

That's what it's designed for. Take advantage of it while you need it, and focus on finding your next opportunity.

My layoff is permanent, so I think I'm just regular unemployed.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful info. Feeling less overwhelmed about filing now.

I'll keep that in mind if I run into issues. Hopefully the filing process goes smoothly.

Good luck with your claim! The first time filing is always nerve-wracking but it's really not as complicated as it seems once you get started.