What quarter is unemployment based on right now - Washington ESD base period question

Washington ESD uses what's called a 'base period' which is typically the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file your claim. So if you're filing now in early 2025, they'd probably look at Q1 2024 through Q4 2024 for your base period.

That makes sense! So they wouldn't count any work I did in Q4 2024 if I file right now?

Actually Q4 2024 would be included since it's a completed quarter. They just don't count the current quarter you're filing in.

wait i thought it was different than that? i filed last year and they used some weird combination of quarters that didn't make sense to me

There's also something called an 'alternate base period' if you don't qualify under the standard base period. That might be what happened in your case.

oh that could be it, they never really explained it clearly when i called

The standard base period is the first four of the last five completed quarters. But if you don't have enough wages in that period, Washington ESD will automatically check the alternate base period, which uses the four most recent completed quarters. This helps people who had recent employment that wouldn't show up in the standard calculation.

So they automatically check both? I don't need to request the alternate base period?

Correct, they'll automatically use whichever base period gives you the higher benefit amount or qualifies you for benefits.

This is really helpful info! I had no idea they would automatically use the better option.

I've been trying to call Washington ESD for weeks to get clarification on my base period calculation and can never get through! The automated system just hangs up on me after being on hold forever. Anyone else having this problem?

I was having the same issue until someone told me about Claimyr (claimyr.com). It's a service that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me hours of frustration trying to call myself.

Really? How does that work exactly? I'm desperate at this point.

Basically they handle the calling and waiting for you, then connect you when they get an agent on the line. Much better than sitting on hold for hours.

My husband filed in December and they used Q3 2023 through Q2 2024 as his base period. He was confused why they didn't use his more recent work from Q3 2024 but I guess that's how the standard base period works.

That sounds right for a December filing. The quarters used would be Q3 2023, Q4 2023, Q1 2024, and Q2 2024.

Yeah exactly those quarters. His Q3 2024 wages weren't included even though he made good money that quarter.

This is all super helpful but I'm still a bit confused about the timing. If I file my claim this week, what exact quarters would they look at?

For a claim filed in January 2025, the standard base period would be Q1 2024, Q2 2024, Q3 2024, and Q4 2024.

Perfect, that covers all my best earning quarters from last year. Thanks!

Does anyone know if there's a way to see what your benefit amount would be before you actually file? I want to know if it's worth filing or if I should wait.

Washington ESD has a benefit calculator on their website, but it's pretty basic. Your weekly benefit amount is roughly 3.85% of your wages in your highest earning quarter during the base period.

Oh that's a useful formula! So if I made $15,000 in my highest quarter, my weekly benefit would be around $577?

That math looks about right, but there's also a maximum weekly benefit amount that caps it. For 2025 I think it's around $999 per week.

i wish they would just explain this stuff clearly on their website instead of making it so confusing

Seriously! I spent forever trying to figure out which quarters they were using for my claim.

right? and good luck getting someone on the phone to explain it

I had a gap in employment in 2024 - will that affect which quarters they use for my base period? I'm worried they might not have enough wages to qualify me.

Employment gaps don't change which quarters they look at, but you need to have earned at least $5,265 in your base period to qualify. If you don't meet that in the standard base period, they'll automatically check the alternate base period.

That's reassuring to know they'll check both automatically. I think I should qualify under the alternate base period even if the standard one doesn't work.

Can I choose which base period to use or is it automatic?

It's automatic. Washington ESD will use whichever base period results in the higher benefit amount or qualifies you for benefits if the other doesn't.

Got it, so they'll pick the better option for me. That's actually pretty fair.

I filed my claim in late December and I'm still waiting to hear back about my base period wages. It's been over two weeks now. Should I be worried?

I had the same delay and finally got through to someone using that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier. Turns out they were just backlogged from the holidays but my claim was processing normally.

Oh good to know it's probably just holiday delays. I'll look into that service if I don't hear back soon.

Yeah the holidays always slow everything down with Washington ESD. I'd give it another week before worrying.

Does the base period include wages from all employers or just my most recent job?

It includes wages from ALL employers during the base period quarters, not just your most recent job. So if you worked multiple jobs during those quarters, all of those wages count.

That's great! I had two part-time jobs for most of 2024 so that should help my benefit amount.

What if I worked in another state during some of those quarters? Do those wages count?

Out-of-state wages can count, but you might need to file what's called a combined wage claim. It's more complicated and involves coordinating between different state unemployment agencies.

Ugh that sounds complicated. I only worked in Oregon for like 3 months. Wonder if it's worth the hassle.

It might be worth it depending on how much you earned. Those wages could push you into a higher benefit tier or help you qualify if you're borderline.

I'm confused about something - if they use completed quarters, why do some people say to wait until the next quarter to file?

Good question! Sometimes it makes sense to wait if you had really low earnings in the oldest quarter of your current base period, but much higher earnings in the most recent completed quarter that isn't included yet.

Ah I see! So if I made way more money in Q4 2024 than Q1 2024, I might get a better benefit amount by waiting until Q1 2025 is over?

Exactly! Then your base period would drop Q1 2024 and add Q1 2025 instead.

This thread has been super helpful! I was totally confused about the base period calculation before reading all these explanations.

Same here! I had no idea they automatically checked both base periods. That takes a lot of stress off.

Yeah this is way clearer than anything I found on the Washington ESD website.

One more question - do they count wages from the quarter you're filing in at all, or is it strictly completed quarters only?

Strictly completed quarters only. So if you file in January 2025, they won't count any wages you earned in January 2025, even if you worked for part of that month.

Makes sense. Better to have a clear cutoff date than try to calculate partial quarters.

Has anyone had issues with Washington ESD not finding all their wages from the base period? I'm worried some of my employers might not have reported correctly.

That happened to me! I had to provide pay stubs and tax documents to prove wages that weren't showing up in their system. Took a few extra weeks but they eventually added them to my claim. If you can't get through by phone, that Claimyr service I mentioned earlier really helps for getting connected to someone who can assist with wage disputes.

Good to know I'm not the only one who's had this problem. I'll definitely look into that service if I run into issues.

Make sure to keep all your pay stubs and W-2s from the base period quarters. Washington ESD will sometimes need documentation to verify wages, especially from smaller employers.

Thanks everyone for all the detailed explanations! This thread should be pinned or something - way more helpful than the official Washington ESD FAQ.

Agreed! I feel like I actually understand how this works now instead of just guessing.

Seriously, this saved me from filing at the wrong time. I think I'll wait until April to get my Q1 2025 wages included.

This has been incredibly informative! I'm in a similar situation where I had inconsistent work in 2024 and was worried about which quarters would count. Reading through everyone's experiences and @Austin Leonard's explanations about both the standard and alternate base periods being checked automatically really puts my mind at ease. I had no idea Washington ESD would automatically use whichever option gives the better benefit. Also noting the tip about @Logan Chiang's mention of Claimyr for getting through to agents - the phone system has been impossible for me too. Thanks to everyone who contributed to making this so much clearer than anything I could find elsewhere!