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

It's not really a straight percentage like that. Washington ESD calculates your weekly benefit amount based on your highest earning quarter from the past year. Generally you can expect somewhere between 40-50% of your average weekly wages, but there's a maximum weekly benefit amount that changes each year. For 2025 I think the max is around $999 per week but don't quote me on that exact number.

The formula Washington ESD uses is your highest quarter divided by 26, then they pay you roughly half of that amount weekly. So if your highest quarter was $13,000, you'd get around $250 per week. But like others said there's a cap. You should be able to get a benefit estimate when you file your initial claim online.

I've been trying to get through to Washington ESD for weeks to ask this same question but their phone lines are always busy. Has anyone found a way to actually talk to someone there? I keep getting disconnected after waiting on hold for hours.

the system is totally broken anyway, they take forever to process claims and when you finally get benefits its never enough to actually live on. I was getting maybe 30% of what I used to make and still had to find a job asap because the money runs out so fast

OP you should know there's also a one week waiting period before you get your first payment, so factor that into your planning. And you have to file weekly claims every week to keep getting benefits.

I think the percentage varies by state but in Washington it's usually around 45-50% of your average weekly wage up to the maximum. The exact calculation is weird though because they use your base period wages which might not reflect what you were making right before you got laid off.

Just went through this whole process last month. Filed online through the Washington ESD website and got my benefit amount pretty quickly. Ended up being about $380 per week which was roughly 40% of what I was making. Not great but better than nothing while I look for work.

does anyone know if overtime pay counts toward your base period wages? I worked a ton of OT last year and wondering if that helps my benefit amount

The whole calculation is so confusing. I wish Washington ESD would just publish a simple calculator where you could enter your wages and see what you'd get. Instead you have to file a claim and wait to find out.

Been on unemployment twice in the past 5 years and both times it was around 45% of my regular income. First time I was making $3800/month and got about $420/week. Second time making $4500/month and got about $480/week. So seems pretty consistent in that range.

Pro tip: if you're having trouble reaching Washington ESD by phone, try calling right when they open at 8am. Sometimes you can get through easier then. Or there's that Claimyr service someone mentioned that handles the calling for you.

One thing to keep in mind is that if you have any issues with your claim like identity verification or job separation questions, it can take weeks or months to resolve. My friend has been waiting 6 weeks just to get someone to review his case.

Just remember the maximum benefit duration is 26 weeks in most cases, so even if you get a decent weekly amount it's not going to last forever. Use that time wisely to find your next job.

The percentage question comes up a lot but honestly it varies so much based on your specific wage history and the timing of when you file. Best advice is just to file as soon as you're eligible and see what you qualify for. You can always appeal if you think the amount is wrong.

Tyler, based on your $4,200/month income, you're likely looking at somewhere between $400-500 per week depending on your quarterly wage history. Washington ESD uses your highest quarter from your base period (usually the first 4 of the last 5 quarters) and divides that by 26, then pays you about half of that weekly amount. The 2025 maximum is $999/week, so you won't hit that cap. Just keep in mind there's a one-week waiting period before your first payment, and you'll need to file weekly claims to keep receiving benefits. Also consider that unemployment benefits are taxable income, so you might want to have taxes withheld or set money aside for tax season.