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This whole thread should be pinned or something. I bet this confusion between unemployment and family leave comes up all the time.
Here's the official formula if anyone wants the exact calculation: Weekly Benefit Amount = (Total wages in two highest quarters ÷ 52) × 0.0385. But it can't be less than $295 or more than $999 per week for 2025.
One more thing - make sure you have all your employment information ready when you file. Employer names, addresses, dates of employment, and reason for separation for each job.
The whole process stressed me out so much when I first did it, but looking back it really wasn't that bad. You've got this!
Quick question - do you need to be a US citizen to file for unemployment in Washington? Asking for a friend who's on a work visa.
Paolo Rizzo
Pro tip: keep copies of all your pay stubs and W-2s when you file for unemployment. Makes it much easier to verify their calculation and catch any errors. I learned this the hard way when I had to dispute missing wages.
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Jamal Carter
•Great advice! I'm glad I kept all my documentation. Makes me feel more confident that my calculation is correct.
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QuantumQuest
•Yes! Documentation is everything when dealing with Washington ESD. I always tell people to keep records of everything unemployment-related.
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Amina Sy
Just remember that even if your calculation seems low, you're still getting help during a tough time. The system isn't perfect but it's better than nothing. Focus on finding your next job rather than stressing too much about the exact benefit amount.
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Oliver Fischer
•That's a good perspective but if there's an error costing someone hundreds of dollars, they should definitely try to get it fixed.
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Amina Sy
•You're absolutely right. I didn't mean people shouldn't pursue corrections if there are actual errors. Just meant not to stress over minor discrepancies.
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