What percentage of income is unemployment benefits in Washington ESD?

So it's not just a simple percentage of my current salary? That's confusing. How do I figure out what my highest quarter was?

You need to look at your last 5 completed quarters before filing. Washington ESD uses the highest one of the first 4 quarters in that period. If you've been making $4,200 consistently, multiply by 3 months to get your quarterly wages.

That's not accurate. Washington's formula is more complex than a simple percentage. The benefit amount depends on your earnings pattern over multiple quarters, not just your current weekly wage.

oh ok my bad, i was thinking of something else probably

That's actually really helpful math, thank you! So it's not quite 50% but better than I was expecting.

Wait, I'm getting confused by all these calculations. Is there an easier way to estimate this without doing all the quarterly math?

You can use the benefit calculator on Washington ESD's website, but having your wage history handy helps. The key is understanding they look at quarters, not your current pay stub.

I had the same problem until I found Claimyr.com. They help you get through to Washington ESD agents by phone. There's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me hours of calling.

I've been calling since 7am every day this week. The system just hangs up on me after being on hold for 2 hours. So frustrating when you need answers about your claim calculation.

This is the clearest explanation I've seen. So someone with steady earnings will get a more predictable percentage than someone with variable income?

Exactly. Seasonal workers or those with irregular hours might see more variation in their benefit calculation compared to their recent earnings.

What if you had a raise recently? Does that affect the calculation if it wasn't in your base period?

Recent raises won't count toward your current claim's benefit calculation. Washington ESD only looks at the base period quarters, which creates a lag between current earnings and benefit amounts.

That's rough. Did you consider if you might qualify for a different base period? Sometimes the alternate base period can result in higher benefits if your recent earnings were higher.

This happened to my brother too. He was making $5000/month but his benefit was based on when he was making $3000/month earlier in the year. Really penalizes people who got promoted or changed jobs.

True, but 26 weeks goes by fast in this job market. And if you're used to making $6000+ per month, even the maximum $999/week is a huge drop.

I'm grateful for any unemployment benefits honestly. Been out of work for 3 months and even $400/week is keeping me afloat while I job search.

Yes, overtime wages count as regular wages for benefit calculation purposes. If you consistently work overtime, it will increase your quarterly totals and potentially your WBA. However, remember that you'll need to be able and available for full-time work to maintain eligibility.

Just make sure you understand the job search requirements. You can't limit yourself to only overtime-heavy positions when looking for work while on benefits.

That's good advice. I was overthinking the calculation when I should just focus on filing promptly if I need to. How long did it take for your first payment?

About 2 weeks after I filed, but I had no complications. Some people wait longer if there are adjudication issues or missing documentation. The key is filing completely and accurately the first time.

I'm still waiting for my first payment after 4 weeks. My claim is stuck in adjudication and I can't get anyone on the phone to explain why. So frustrating!

Wait, unemployment is taxable? I had no idea! That's going to reduce the effective benefit even more.

I learned this the hard way last year. Didn't have taxes withheld and ended up owing $1,200 at tax time. Definitely opt for the 10% withholding if you file a claim.

Thanks everyone for all the detailed responses! I feel much better prepared now if I need to file a claim. The quarterly calculation makes sense once you understand the logic behind it.

Just remember that even if the amount isn't what you hoped for, it's temporary income support while you find your next opportunity. Better than nothing during a tough transition!