What pays the highest unemployment benefits in Washington - which industries qualify for maximum weekly amount?

So if I made $22,000 last year that's why I'm getting less? How do they calculate the exact amount?

They take your highest quarter wages, divide by 26, then multiply by 0.0385. So if your highest quarter was $5,000, that's about $192 per week ($5000/26 = $192). The formula is a bit more complex but that's the basic calculation.

What about people who work multiple jobs? Does Washington ESD count wages from all employers?

Yes, they count wages from all covered employers during your base period. So if you worked two part-time jobs that together paid well, that could increase your benefit amount.

I had the same problem until I found Claimyr.com - it's a service that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents. They have this system that calls repeatedly and connects you when an agent picks up. Saved me probably 20+ hours of trying to call myself. There's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

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

It's totally legitimate - they don't ask for any personal info, just your name and phone number so they can connect the call. Way better than spending entire days trying to get through on your own.

It's not the company name that matters, it's the salary they paid you. A software engineer at Amazon making $120k would get maximum benefits, but a warehouse worker there might not.

I worked at Boeing for 3 years as an engineer and got the full $844 per week when I was laid off in 2024. But my neighbor who worked there in manufacturing got around $600. Same company, different pay scales.

The system is designed to replace a percentage of your lost wages, not provide equal payments. People who earned more also typically have higher expenses, so they need more support to maintain their standard of living while job searching.

I get that logic but it still feels wrong somehow. Someone making minimum wage has a much harder time finding new work than someone with a college degree and professional experience.

That's why there are other programs like food stamps and housing assistance that help lower-income individuals. Unemployment is specifically designed as wage replacement insurance.

So if I get a better job now, that could help me if I lose my job next year?

Exactly. Your base period for unemployment benefits looks at the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters before you file. So higher earnings now could increase future benefit amounts.

For people with variable income like sales commissions, timing your unemployment filing can be crucial. You want to file when your highest-earning quarters are still within the base period calculation.

That's something I never thought about. Is there a way to check what your benefit amount would be before you actually file for unemployment?

Union jobs definitely tend to pay better which translates to higher unemployment benefits. Plus union workers often understand the system better and know how to maximize their claims.

Is there a difference between being laid off seasonally versus being permanently let go? Do they calculate benefits the same way?

The benefit calculation is the same regardless of why you're unemployed, as long as you qualify. Seasonal workers often use standby status if they expect to return to the same employer.

My sister is a travel nurse and when her contract ended last year, she got the maximum weekly amount because she'd been making $4,000+ per week during the peak COVID period. Really helped her transition back to regular nursing.

Wow, so timing really matters then. If you have one really good quarter it can carry you through unemployment.

Employers are required to report wages even if they go out of business, but sometimes there are delays or errors. You should definitely contact Washington ESD to resolve missing wage records as it could affect your benefit amount.

I had this same issue and finally got through using that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier. The agent was able to add my missing wages from a previous employer that had closed. Made a huge difference in my weekly benefit amount.

How long did it take for them to update your wages after you talked to an agent?

About a week after the call, my wages were updated and they recalculated my benefit amount retroactively. Got a nice back payment too.

This is so complicated! I wish there was just a simple calculator that could tell you what your benefit amount would be based on your work history.

Washington ESD does have a benefit calculator on their website, but it's pretty basic. For complex situations like commission work or multiple employers, you really need to talk to an agent to get accurate information.

Don't teachers have their own special rules though? I thought they couldn't collect unemployment during summer break.

Teachers and other school employees have special rules about seasonal unemployment. They typically can't collect benefits between school years if they have reasonable assurance of returning to work.

Self-employed individuals generally don't qualify for regular unemployment benefits because they don't pay into the system. However, if you also worked for covered employers during your base period, those wages could qualify you for benefits.

There was that pandemic unemployment assistance program for freelancers but I think that ended. Not sure if Washington has anything permanent for self-employed people.

Thanks everyone for all the detailed responses! This has been really helpful in understanding how the system works. I guess I need to focus on finding a higher-paying job for future security.

Good luck with your job search! And remember that even if your current benefits seem low, Washington also offers job training programs and other support services through WorkSource that might help you qualify for better positions.