What percentage of your check do you get for unemployment in Washington state?

So it's based on quarterly earnings, not my most recent salary? That's confusing but helpful to know.

Yeah the quarterly thing threw me off too when I first filed. Make sure you have all your wage info ready when you apply.

Good to know about the job search requirements. How many jobs do you have to apply for each week?

It's 3 job search activities per week, but they can include applications, networking, job fairs, etc. Keep detailed records in your job search log.

How much does that cost? Seems like we shouldn't have to pay extra just to talk to someone about our own benefits.

I was skeptical at first too but honestly it was worth it just to get answers quickly instead of wasting entire days trying to call.

That's actually pretty close to what I'm hoping for. How long did it take to get approved?

took about 10 days but i had all my paperwork ready and no issues with my separation

What kind of mistake did you make? I want to avoid any issues.

I reported some freelance income in the wrong section and it flagged my claim as potentially fraudulent. Took 3 weeks to sort out.

This is why it's important to read the instructions carefully for each question on the weekly claim form. Any work or income needs to be reported exactly as specified.

So timing of when you file matters a lot then? That's something I hadn't considered.

Yeah definitely. They look at the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters before you file. If you can wait a bit it might help your benefit amount.

Can you have taxes automatically withheld? I'd rather not deal with a big tax bill later.

Yes, there's an option when you file to have 10% federal taxes withheld from each payment. I recommend doing it.

That's exactly why I ended up using Claimyr. The regular phone system is completely overwhelmed and you can waste days trying to get through.

Maybe I should try that. At this point I'll try anything to get some answers about my claim.

That's actually not bad compared to what I was making. Hopefully I won't need it for too long though.

Just remember you can only collect for 26 weeks in most cases, unless there are extended benefits available.

Good point. So if I was making $4200 gross, what would be a realistic net expectation for unemployment?

With your income level, probably around $800-900 per week gross, then minus taxes if you choose withholding. So maybe $720-810 net.

It's the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you file. So if you file in January 2025, they'd look at January-December 2024 quarters.

That makes more sense. So recent pay raises might not count if they're too recent?

Exactly. That's why timing your claim filing can sometimes matter for benefit calculation.

My layoff is permanent so I don't think standby applies to me. But good to know for others.

Yeah standby is specifically for temporary layoffs where you expect to be called back within a certain timeframe.

Yes, all wages reported on your W-2 count, including overtime, bonuses, and commissions. It's all part of your total earnings for benefit calculation.

Great! That should help bump up my weekly benefit amount then.

Any tips for avoiding mistakes on the application? I want to get this right the first time.

Take your time, have all your employment dates and wage info ready, and read every question twice before answering. Don't rush it.

I was laid off due to company downsizing so I think I should be okay on the separation reason.

That sounds like a qualifying separation. Just make sure you have documentation from your employer about the layoff.

How does that calculation work? Like if I work 20 hours a week at a part-time job?

They subtract a portion of your part-time earnings from your weekly benefit amount. There's a formula but generally you can earn up to about 1/3 of your weekly benefit without reduction.

When do the job search requirements start? Is it right away or after a waiting period?

Usually starts with your second week of benefits. But starting early just puts you in a better position overall.

That's the second time someone mentioned that service. Might be worth checking out if I run into issues.

I was skeptical about paying for something like that but honestly the time savings alone made it worthwhile. Plus you get to talk to someone who can actually help instead of just waiting on hold forever.

Thanks everyone for all the detailed info. This gives me a much better idea of what to expect when I file my claim.

Good luck with your claim! The process can be frustrating but the benefits really help when you need them.