What percent of unemployment do you get from Washington ESD - how is benefit amount calculated?

It's not a straight percentage like some other states. Washington ESD uses your highest earning quarter from your base period and divides it by 26. Your weekly benefit amount can range from $295 minimum to $1015 maximum (as of 2025). So it depends on how much you earned in your best quarter, not your most recent job.

The formula is basically: highest quarter earnings ÷ 26 = weekly benefit amount. But there's also a minimum and maximum. I was making $65k/year and my weekly benefit came out to about $850, which works out to roughly 45% of my average weekly gross pay.

I've been trying to get through to Washington ESD for weeks to ask about my benefit calculation because the online portal shows a different amount than what I calculated. Their phone lines are always busy or I get disconnected after waiting forever. Has anyone found a way to actually talk to someone there?

Don't forget that Washington ESD also looks at whether you're eligible in the first place. You need to have earned at least $2,190 in your base period AND earned at least 680 hours of work. The benefit amount doesn't matter if you don't qualify for UI in the first place.

the percentage thing is misleading because it depends on how much you made. when i was making minimum wage my unemployment was like 60% of my pay but my friend who made way more only got like 35% because of the maximum benefit cap

I just went through this whole process. Filed in December and got my first payment last week. My highest quarter was $13,500 and my weekly benefit amount is $519. So that works out to almost exactly the divide by 26 formula mentioned earlier.

Washington ESD's benefit calculator on their website is actually pretty accurate if you can find it. But you need to know your quarterly earnings which most people don't have off the top of their head. Check your pay stubs or ask your employer for a wage statement.

IMPORTANT: Don't forget about the waiting week! Washington ESD has a one-week waiting period before you can collect benefits, even if you're approved right away. So factor that into your financial planning.

been on unemployment twice in washington and both times it was roughly 50% of what i was making at my job. not exact but close enough for budgeting purposes. the real pain is dealing with all the weekly claim requirements and job search stuff

If you're still having trouble getting through to Washington ESD about your benefit calculation, I used Claimyr last month when my claim was stuck. They got me connected to an actual person who explained exactly how my benefits were calculated. Way better than trying to interpret the confusing letters they send.

Just remember that your benefit amount can change if Washington ESD recalculates based on updated wage information from your employer. I got a letter 6 weeks after starting benefits saying my weekly amount was increasing by $75 because they got corrected wage data.

One thing people forget is that unemployment benefits are taxable income. So even though you might get 50% of your wages, after taxes it might feel like less. You can have them withhold 10% for federal taxes when you certify each week.

i wish washington esd would just give you a straight percentage like 'you get 45% of your average weekly wage' instead of this confusing quarterly calculation thing. makes it so hard to budget when you dont know exactly what youre getting

For what it's worth, Washington's unemployment benefits are pretty decent compared to other states. The maximum weekly benefit of $1015 is higher than most places. Just make sure you file your weekly claims on time every week or you'll lose those payments.

If anyone is still confused about the calculation, I found this helpful: take your total wages from your highest earning quarter in the base period, divide by 26, and that's roughly your weekly benefit (subject to the min/max limits). The 'percentage' varies by person but it usually works out to 40-55% of your average weekly pay.