What's the maximum unemployment benefit amount in Washington state 2025?

Thanks! That's higher than I expected. How do they calculate what you actually get though?

It's based on your average weekly wage during your base period. They take your highest quarter earnings, divide by 13, then multiply by 0.0385 to get your weekly benefit amount, up to that $999 maximum.

Thanks! So if I made $68k total last year, does that mean I'll get close to the max? How do they calculate it exactly?

It depends on how your earnings were distributed throughout the year. They look at your highest earning quarter, not your total annual income. If you made $20k+ in one quarter, you'd be in good shape for higher benefits.

same problem here, been calling for 3 weeks straight with no luck

I actually found a service called Claimyr that helped me get through to Washington ESD. You go to claimyr.com and they basically call for you and get you connected. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me hours of calling.

Is that legit? I'm desperate at this point but don't want to get scammed.

Yeah it's real. I was skeptical too but it actually worked. They don't ask for your personal info or anything sketchy, just helps you get through the phone queue.

The maximum gets adjusted annually based on the state's average weekly wage. It went up to $999 at the beginning of 2025.

oh ok that makes sense why i was confused, i filed last year and got way less than that lol

Good point, I definitely meet those requirements. What about the job search requirements once you start getting benefits?

You have to make at least 3 job search activities per week and keep a log of them. Washington ESD can audit your job search activities at any time.

That's actually pretty good! I'm hoping for something in that range. Did you have any issues with your claim approval?

Nope, went through pretty smoothly. Just make sure you have all your employer info ready when you file.

I had the same problem until I found Claimyr. It's a service that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents without all the waiting and busy signals. You can check it out at claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

That sounds almost too good to be true. How does it actually work?

Basically they handle the calling process for you and connect you directly to an agent when one becomes available. No more sitting on hold or getting busy signals.

Adjudication can take time if there are issues with your employment separation. Have you checked your SecureAccess Washington account for any pending issues that need to be resolved?

I've checked everything a million times! There's nothing showing that I need to do. The system just says 'adjudication in progress' with no explanation.

This is exactly why I used Claimyr to get through to someone. When you're stuck in adjudication, you really need to talk to an actual person to find out what's holding things up.

It goes up each year. In 2024 it was $929, now it's $999 for 2025.

oh ok thats good news for me then

Yeah I'm trying to figure out what I'd actually get. I made about $85,000 last year but it wasn't evenly distributed across quarters.

Your base period is usually the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file. So if you file now in 2025, it would be Q1 2024 through Q4 2024.

Good point. What are the job search requirements right now? I heard they changed recently.

You need to make at least 3 job search activities per week and keep a log of them. This includes applying for jobs, attending job fairs, networking activities, etc. You can track them through WorkSourceWA.

Thanks, I'll make sure to set that up once my claim is approved.

How long did it take for you? I worked for 2 different companies last year.

About 4 weeks total. The wage verification was the longest part. Make sure you have all your pay stubs and W2s ready in case they ask for them.

They use the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters. So if you're filing now in early 2025, they'd look at Q4 2023 through Q3 2024. If that doesn't qualify you, they can use the alternate base year which is the most recent 4 quarters.

That makes sense, thanks for clarifying!

Good reminder. Is it better to have them withhold taxes or pay later?

I always have them withhold 10% for federal taxes. It's easier than dealing with a big tax bill later, especially if you're unemployed for a while.

Can you have taxes taken out automatically or do you have to pay quarterly?

You can choose to have 10% federal tax withheld when you file your weekly claims. Washington doesn't have state income tax so that's not an issue.

Yeah someone mentioned that earlier. I might try it if I can't get through on my own soon.

She said it was worth it just to avoid the frustration of calling all day and getting nowhere.

The $999 maximum applies to all regular unemployment insurance in Washington, including standby. Standby just means you're temporarily laid off with a return date, but the benefit calculation is the same.

Right, standby status just affects your job search requirements. You don't have to actively look for work if you have a definite return date within 12 weeks.

The same maximum applies to extended benefits if they become available. Right now we're just on regular UI though - extended benefits only trigger during high unemployment periods.

Got it, thanks. Hopefully I won't need extended benefits anyway!

I used Claimyr to get through to someone at Washington ESD who could explain my exact benefit calculation. Way better than trying to decipher their website or sit on hold for hours.

How much does something like that cost though?

It's worth it just for the time saved. Plus they connect you to actual Washington ESD staff, not third-party people.

26 weeks seems like it goes by fast when you're job hunting. Are there any exceptions to that limit?

Sometimes during high unemployment periods the state or federal government extends benefits, but that's not common. Right now it's just the standard 26 weeks.

Yes! And if you can't get through to Washington ESD to discuss it before appealing, definitely use something like Claimyr to actually reach an agent who can explain what happened.

Exactly. Sometimes what looks like an error is actually correct based on how they calculated your base period wages, but you need to talk to someone to understand it.

It usually takes about a week to get your monetary determination after filing. If it's taking longer, there might be an issue that needs to be resolved.

That's what I'm worried about. I might need to call them if I don't hear something soon.

Good luck getting through! Their call volume is always high. I've heard people using Claimyr to skip the wait times.

That makes sense. Better to file sooner rather than later if you're eligible then.

Right, and don't delay filing if you're eligible. You can't get benefits for weeks before you actually file your claim.

True, but even if you don't get the maximum, the benefits can still be significant. I qualified for about $750 per week which was really helpful during my job search.

Yeah that's still decent. I think I'd get around $500 based on my wages, which is better than nothing for sure.

How do you check that? Is there a way to see what wages they have on file?

You can see your wage history in your eServices account on the Washington ESD website. Compare it to your pay stubs to make sure everything matches.

Your weekly benefit amount is calculated as roughly 3.85% of your total base year wages, up to the maximum. If you want to verify, add up all your wages from your base year and multiply by 0.0385.

ok ill try that thanks

Wow that's terrible. I didn't realize how much it varies by state.

Yeah we're pretty lucky here in Washington even though the system can be frustrating to deal with.

So if the weekly max is $999, the total maximum would be about $26,000?

Exactly, $999 x 26 weeks = $25,974 maximum total benefits for the year.

The job search requirements are there for a reason. You need to be actively looking for work to continue receiving benefits.

I know, I'm definitely looking. Just saying it adds stress when you're already dealing with unemployment.

That makes sense. I guess it's like insurance - you get out what you put in through your work.

Good luck with your claim! Make sure to file your weekly claims even while it's pending approval.

will do, thanks again!