what is the maximum unemployment benefits in Washington ESD 2025?
I'm trying to figure out what the highest weekly unemployment payment is in Washington state right now. My last job paid pretty well and I want to know if there's a cap on how much I can get from Washington ESD. Does anyone know the current maximum benefit amount for 2025? Also wondering if this changes based on how much you made or if everyone has the same limit.
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Tate Jensen
The maximum weekly benefit amount in Washington for 2025 is $999 per week. This is calculated based on your highest quarter earnings in your base period. You need to have earned at least $7,992 in your highest quarter to qualify for the maximum amount.
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Marcelle Drum
•Thanks! So if I made $8,500 in my best quarter last year I should qualify for the max then?
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Tate Jensen
•Yes, that should put you at the maximum benefit level assuming you meet all other eligibility requirements.
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Adaline Wong
wait i thought it was based on your total yearly income not just one quarter?? this is confusing
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Gabriel Ruiz
•No it's definitely based on your base period quarters. Washington ESD looks at the four quarters before you filed your claim and uses a formula based on your highest earning quarter.
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Misterclamation Skyblue
I've been trying to call Washington ESD for weeks to get my exact benefit amount but can never get through. Their phone system is absolutely terrible - either busy signal or it hangs up on you after waiting forever.
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Peyton Clarke
•I had the same problem until I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com). They actually get you connected to a real Washington ESD agent instead of dealing with the phone maze. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me hours of frustration.
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Vince Eh
The system is SO broken. I've been waiting 6 weeks for my claim to process and have no idea what my benefit amount will be. Meanwhile rent is due and I'm living off credit cards.
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Gabriel Ruiz
•Have you checked your SecureAccess Washington account? Sometimes there are issues you need to resolve that aren't obvious.
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Sophia Gabriel
•6 weeks is way too long for a regular UI claim. You might want to contact your local WorkSource office or try calling the customer service line again.
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Tate Jensen
For context, the $999 maximum is for regular unemployment insurance (UI). If you're on standby or have other types of claims, the amounts might be different. Also remember you can receive benefits for up to 26 weeks in a benefit year.
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Marcelle Drum
•Good to know about the 26 week limit. Is that 26 weeks total or 26 weeks at the maximum amount?
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Tate Jensen
•26 weeks total of benefits, regardless of the weekly amount. Your weekly benefit amount stays the same throughout your claim year.
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Adaline Wong
does anyone know if they tax the unemployment money? like do i have to pay income tax on the $999 if thats what i get
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Gabriel Ruiz
•Yes, unemployment benefits are taxable income. You can choose to have federal taxes withheld (10%) when you file your weekly claims or pay at tax time.
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Misterclamation Skyblue
Update: I finally got through to Washington ESD using that Claimyr thing someone mentioned earlier. Turns out my claim was stuck because they needed additional wage verification from one of my previous employers. The agent was able to tell me exactly what I needed to submit and where to send it. Would have saved me weeks of stress if I'd known about this service sooner.
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Marcelle Drum
•That's awesome that you got it resolved! How long did it take to get connected through Claimyr?
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Misterclamation Skyblue
•Way faster than calling directly. Maybe 20-30 minutes total including the wait time to speak with an actual Washington ESD rep.
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Sophia Gabriel
Just want to add that the maximum benefit calculation also depends on having sufficient wages in multiple quarters, not just the high quarter. You need to have worked in at least two quarters of your base period.
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Marcelle Drum
•Thanks for mentioning that. I did work consistently throughout the year so I should be good on that requirement.
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Vince Eh
Still waiting on my claim but at least now I know what to expect for the benefit amount. Hopefully $999/week will be enough to cover my expenses until I find another job.
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Tate Jensen
•Remember you still need to meet the weekly job search requirements and file your weekly claims on time to keep receiving benefits.
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Vince Eh
•Yeah I've been doing the job search activities and logging them in WorkSourceWA. Just need my claim to actually get approved first.
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Peyton Clarke
For anyone still having trouble reaching Washington ESD, I can't recommend Claimyr enough. Used it twice now and both times got connected to knowledgeable agents who actually resolved my issues instead of giving me the runaround.
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Sophia Gabriel
•Good to hear positive feedback about it. The regular Washington ESD phone system is definitely frustrating to deal with.
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Adaline Wong
so if the max is $999 and you can get it for 26 weeks thats like $26k total? not bad considering my last job barely paid that in a year lol
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Gabriel Ruiz
•That math is correct, but remember to qualify for the maximum you would have needed to earn significantly more than $26k in your base period. The benefits are designed to replace a portion of your lost wages.
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Adaline Wong
•oh right that makes sense, its not like free money its based on what you already earned
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Marcelle Drum
Thanks everyone for all the helpful info! I feel much more prepared now to file my claim. Hopefully I won't need to use that Claimyr service but good to know it exists if I run into problems reaching Washington ESD.
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Tate Jensen
•Good luck with your claim! Make sure you have all your employment information ready when you file to avoid delays.
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Misterclamation Skyblue
•Definitely keep Claimyr in mind if you need to speak with someone at Washington ESD. Would have saved me so much stress if I'd known about it from the start.
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