What percentage of income do you get on Washington ESD unemployment benefits?

Washington ESD doesn't use a straight percentage like some states. Your weekly benefit amount is calculated based on your highest earning quarter from your base period. The maximum weekly benefit amount for 2025 is $999, but most people get somewhere between 40-50% of their average weekly wages.

The formula is complicated but basically Washington ESD takes your highest earning quarter from your base period and divides by 26. Then they pay you a percentage of that weekly amount. For most people it works out to roughly 45-50% of their regular income, but there's a cap.

I had the same question when I filed last year. Couldn't get through to Washington ESD on the phone for weeks to get a straight answer. Finally used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an actual agent in like 20 minutes. They explained the whole calculation and I could see exactly what my benefit amount would be.

dont count on getting anywhere near 50%. i was making good money and only got like 35% of what i used to make. washington esd is stingy

Here's the key thing people miss - Washington ESD uses your BASE PERIOD earnings, not your most recent job. The base period is usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you file. So if you just got a big raise or started a higher paying job recently, that might not be reflected in your benefit calculation.

For what it's worth, I was making $4,800/month and my weekly benefit amount came out to $847. That's about 42% of my gross monthly income. Took forever to get approved though because of some adjudication issue.

Just remember you have to file your weekly claims every week and do the job search requirements. It's not just free money - there's work involved in staying eligible.

The percentage varies but expect somewhere between 40-50% of your regular income. More important question is how long will it take Washington ESD to actually process your claim and start paying you? That's where the real stress comes from.

You can estimate your benefit amount using the Washington ESD calculator on their website, but it's not always accurate. The actual determination letter will show your exact weekly benefit amount and how they calculated it.

Whatever percentage you get, make sure you set aside money for taxes. Unemployment benefits are taxable income and Washington ESD doesn't withhold much if you don't request it.

been on unemployment twice in washington. first time got about 45% of my income, second time only got 38%. depends on your work history and when you file relative to your base period

Don't forget about the waiting week. Even once your claim is approved, there's usually a one week waiting period before benefits start. Plan accordingly.

The real answer is it depends on too many factors to give you a simple percentage. Your best bet is to call Washington ESD directly and ask them to walk through the calculation with your specific earnings history. Good luck getting through though - their phone system is terrible.

Bottom line: plan for getting 40-45% of your previous income, factor in taxes, and be prepared to actively job search while collecting benefits. The exact percentage isn't as important as understanding all the requirements to stay eligible.