Washington Unemployment Calculator
Updated November 2026 · Free · No sign-up
Estimate your Washington unemployment benefits — the state formula, weekly cap, and duration — before Washington ESD runs the official numbers.
Quick answer: Washington computes benefits as ~3.85% of the average of your two highest quarters, for up to 26 weeks. The weekly maximum is around $1079 — verify the current figure, it adjusts periodically.
How Washington Calculates Benefits
State formula: ~3.85% of the average of your two highest quarters — applied to your base period (generally the first four of the last five completed quarters). As a planning estimate, most state formulas land near half your average weekly wage, capped at the state maximum; the calculator uses your highest quarter with that convention, and Washington ESD issues the binding determination.
Washington Specifics
| Agency | Washington ESD |
| Duration | up to 26 weeks |
| Weekly maximum | ~$1079 (verify current) |
| Waiting week | Most states: one unpaid week (several have waived or none — confirm) |
| Work search | Weekly logged search contacts required; audits occur |
| Taxes | Federally taxable (10% optional withholding); state treatment varies |
Worked Example
A $44,000/year earner (highest quarter ≈ $11,000): the ~50% convention suggests ≈ $423/week, bounded by the state cap of ~$1079. Severance and vacation payouts can delay or reduce weeks in many states — report them and let the agency allocate.
Filing Well in Washington
- File the week employment ends — claims rarely backdate.
- Answer every fact-finding request by its deadline — silence auto-denies.
- Appeal deadlines are short (commonly 10-30 days) — denials get reversed with documentation more often than people expect.
- Partial work: report gross weekly earnings; disregard rules let you keep a slice while the claim stretches.
Estimate vs Determination
This page is a planning estimate using the state’s published formula shape — your monetary determination from Washington ESD controls, and caps/durations change legislatively. Cross-state comparisons and the biggest-state deep dives live in the California, Texas, New York, and Florida calculators.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is unemployment in Washington?
~3.85% of the average of your two highest quarters, up to the state weekly maximum (~$1079 — verify current), for up to 26 weeks.
How do I apply for Washington unemployment?
Through Washington ESD — file the week you separate, complete fact-finding promptly, and certify on schedule.
How long do benefits last in Washington?
Up to 26 weeks — duration rules change with state law and unemployment rates; the determination letter states yours.
Does severance affect Washington benefits?
Severance/vacation payouts can delay or offset weeks depending on allocation — report all separation pay and let the agency compute.
Is Washington unemployment taxable?
Federally yes (optional 10% withholding); state income-tax treatment varies — plan for the 1099-G.
✓ Formula verified • Last updated: November 3, 2026