What is unemployment pay in Washington - how much can I get from Washington ESD?

Unemployment pay (officially called Unemployment Insurance or UI) is money the state pays you temporarily when you lose your job through no fault of your own. In Washington, it's administered by the Employment Security Department (ESD). You get a percentage of what you were earning, up to a maximum amount that changes each year.

For 2025 in Washington, the weekly benefit amount ranges from $295 to $999 depending on your previous earnings. Since you made $2,800/month, you'd probably get around $460-500 per week. You can get benefits for up to 26 weeks typically.

I was in your exact situation last year! Had to call Washington ESD like 50 times just to talk to someone about my claim. The phone system is absolutely brutal - you'll get disconnected constantly. I ended up using this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually gets you through to ESD agents without the endless hold times. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

You need to file online at esd.wa.gov as soon as possible. There's a one week waiting period before you start getting paid, and you have to file weekly claims every week to certify you're still unemployed and looking for work. Don't wait!

ugh the whole system is so confusing!! I've been trying to figure out my benefits for weeks and still don't understand half the stuff on the ESD website. Why can't they just make it simple?

Also make sure you have all your employment info ready when you apply - dates of employment, employer addresses, reason for separation, etc. Washington ESD will verify everything with your past employers so be accurate.

One thing nobody tells you is that unemployment benefits are taxable income. You can choose to have taxes withheld or pay them when you file your tax return next year.

The job search requirements are no joke either. You have to apply for jobs and keep detailed records of every application. They can audit you at any time and if you can't prove you were actively looking, they'll make you pay everything back.

Been on unemployment twice and honestly the hardest part is just getting through to ESD when you have questions or problems. Their phone system hangs up on you constantly during busy times.

If you worked in restaurants you should definitely qualify. Most restaurant workers get laid off through no fault of their own, which is the main requirement for UI benefits.

Just want to add that you might be eligible for other programs too like SNAP (food stamps) or Medicaid while you're unemployed. Don't forget to look into those if money is tight.

The key thing is to apply ASAP even if you're not sure about all the details. You can always call and ask questions later, but you can't backdate your claim if you wait too long.

Does anyone know if you can work part time while getting unemployment? I might be able to pick up a few shifts here and there.

omg yes file asap! I waited like 2 weeks thinking I might find another job quickly and then it took forever to get approved. Don't make my mistake!

The Washington ESD website has gotten better over the years but it can still be glitchy. If you run into technical problems, try using a different browser or clearing your cache.

One more thing - keep all your documentation! Save copies of your application, weekly claims, any correspondence from ESD, job applications, everything. You never know when you might need to reference something.

Welcome to the unemployment club nobody wants to join! Seriously though, don't stress too much. The system works, it's just slow and bureaucratic. You'll get through it.

If your claim gets complicated or goes into adjudication, that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier might be a lifesaver. I wish I had known about it when I was dealing with ESD runaround for months.