What percentage does Washington ESD unemployment pay of your previous wages?

Washington ESD calculates your weekly benefit amount based on your earnings during your base period, not just a simple percentage. It's usually around 50% of your average weekly wage, but there's a maximum weekly benefit amount that changes each year. For 2025, the max is around $999 per week.

it's not exactly 50% though, they use some complicated formula based on your quarterly earnings. i got laid off last year and was making about the same as you, ended up getting $847 per week after taxes were taken out

The exact formula Washington ESD uses is your total wages in the two highest quarters of your base period, divided by 26, then multiplied by about 0.50-0.53 depending on your wage level. But there are minimum and maximum amounts. If you need to reach an agent to verify your benefit calculation, I found success using Claimyr.com - they help you get through to Washington ESD agents without the endless busy signals. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

Washington ESD also considers your dependents when calculating benefits. If you have qualifying dependents, you can get an additional $25 per dependent per week, up to 5 dependents maximum. So that could add $125 to your weekly benefit amount.

OMG I've been getting unemployment for 6 weeks and had no idea about the dependent thing!! How do I add my kids to get that extra money? Do I have to call Washington ESD or can I do it online?

The percentage varies by state but in Washington it's generally 50% of your average weekly wage up to the maximum. Your $4200 monthly should put you at or near the max weekly benefit. Just remember they calculate it weird using quarters from over a year ago, not your most recent pay.

I'm curious about that Claimyr service too. Has anyone else used it successfully? I've been trying to reach Washington ESD for weeks about my adjudication status.

Just to add - Washington ESD also deducts federal and sometimes state taxes from your weekly benefit if you elect to have them withheld. So your actual take-home will be less than the calculated benefit amount. You can choose 10% federal withholding when you file.

UPDATE: Just tried the Claimyr thing and got through to Washington ESD in about 3 hours. Agent confirmed my benefit calculation and explained the base period stuff. Definitely worth it if you need to talk to someone.

For what it's worth, the Washington ESD website has a benefit calculator tool that can give you an estimate based on your wages. It's not 100% accurate but gets you in the ballpark.

Don't forget you also have to meet the job search requirements to keep getting benefits. Washington ESD requires 3 job search activities per week and you have to log them in WorkSourceWA.

Washington ESD benefit calculations are based on a 52-week benefit year, and you can receive up to 26 weeks of benefits (or less if your benefit year ends first). The weekly amount stays the same throughout unless there are policy changes.

i think the calculation is more like 47-50% of your weekly wage depending on how much you made. higher earners get closer to 47% while lower earners get closer to 50%. but there's also the maximum cap which is what most higher earners hit anyway

Pro tip: if your most recent job was higher paying than jobs from 15+ months ago, you might want to wait to file your claim if possible. Sometimes waiting a few months can move you into a higher base period with better wages.

The Washington ESD system is actually pretty good compared to other states I've dealt with. Once you get your benefit amount established, the weekly filing process is straightforward and payments are usually direct deposited within 2-3 business days.

Just remember that unemployment benefits are temporary and designed to replace part of your income while you search for work. The percentage is set to provide assistance but also incentivize finding new employment.

To wrap up the calculation question - with your $4200 monthly salary, you'll likely qualify for close to Washington ESD's maximum weekly benefit amount. The exact amount depends on your base period wages, but you're probably looking at $800-950 per week before taxes. If you need to verify this with an agent, definitely consider using a service like Claimyr to avoid the phone hassles.

One last thing - make sure you have all your employment information ready when you file, including exact dates of employment and reason for separation. Having everything organized will make the process smoother.

Also don't forget that if you worked for multiple employers during your base period, Washington ESD will combine all those wages to calculate your benefit. So gather information from all your jobs during that timeframe.

Washington ESD usually processes straightforward claims pretty quickly. If your employer doesn't contest it and your wages are clear, you should have your first payment within 2-3 weeks of filing.