How long benefits last
Your total benefit is the smaller of 26 times your weekly benefit amount or one-third of your gross wages in all four quarters of your base year.
Washington Unemployment Benefits 2026
What Washington unemployment insurance pays each week, how the Employment Security Department (ESD) works out your benefit, how long it lasts, how it is taxed, and where to apply.
Washington unemployment at a glance
| Maximum weekly benefit | $1,208 |
|---|---|
| Minimum weekly benefit | $383 |
| Maximum duration | Up to 26 weeks |
| Waiting week | Yes, one unpaid week |
| Federal income tax | Taxable |
| Washington income tax | Not taxed |
ESD resets the range each July.
How the weekly benefit is calculated
ESD averages your gross wages in the two highest-paid quarters of your base year and multiplies by 0.0385. A result above $1,208 pays $1,208; between $383 and $1,208 it is rounded down to the dollar; below $383 you get the lesser of $383 or your estimated weekly wage.
The unemployment benefits calculator models California, Texas, New York, Florida and Ohio; for Washington, use the rules above or the agency's own estimate.
Waiting week
The first week you file and meet the weekly requirements is your waiting week, and it is not paid. You serve only one waiting week per benefit year.
Is Washington unemployment taxable?
State: Washington does not currently have an individual income tax, so unemployment benefits are taxed only on your federal return.
Federal: Unemployment compensation is taxable on your federal return: the IRS says you generally must include in income all unemployment compensation you receive. Your state sends Form 1099-G showing what it paid, and you can choose to have federal income tax withheld by filing Form W-4V.
Federal tax is withheld only if you ask for it, so a year of benefits can leave a tax bill: the quarterly estimated tax calculator shows what to set aside.
How to apply
File your claim with the Employment Security Department (ESD). The notice it sends you with your weekly benefit amount is the official figure for your claim.
Apply with ESD →Frequently asked questions
How much does Washington unemployment pay per week?
Washington pays between $383 and $1,208 a week. ESD resets the range each July. ESD averages your gross wages in the two highest-paid quarters of your base year and multiplies by 0.0385. A result above $1,208 pays $1,208; between $383 and $1,208 it is rounded down to the dollar; below $383 you get the lesser of $383 or your estimated weekly wage.
How long can you collect unemployment in Washington?
Your total benefit is the smaller of 26 times your weekly benefit amount or one-third of your gross wages in all four quarters of your base year.
Does Washington have a waiting week for unemployment?
The first week you file and meet the weekly requirements is your waiting week, and it is not paid. You serve only one waiting week per benefit year.
Is unemployment taxable in Washington?
Washington does not currently have an individual income tax, so unemployment benefits are taxed only on your federal return. Unemployment compensation is taxable on your federal return: the IRS says you generally must include in income all unemployment compensation you receive. Your state sends Form 1099-G showing what it paid, and you can choose to have federal income tax withheld by filing Form W-4V.
How do I apply for unemployment in Washington?
Apply with the Employment Security Department (ESD), the agency that decides your claim and pays benefits. Its notice of your benefit amount is the official figure.
Unemployment benefits in other states
California Unemployment Benefits
Weekly amount, weeks, waiting week and tax.
Texas Unemployment Benefits
Weekly amount, weeks, waiting week and tax.
Florida Unemployment Benefits
Weekly amount, weeks, waiting week and tax.
New York Unemployment Benefits
Weekly amount, weeks, waiting week and tax.
Pennsylvania Unemployment Benefits
Weekly amount, weeks, waiting week and tax.
Illinois Unemployment Benefits
Weekly amount, weeks, waiting week and tax.
Ohio Unemployment Benefits
Weekly amount, weeks, waiting week and tax.
Georgia Unemployment Benefits
Weekly amount, weeks, waiting week and tax.
North Carolina Unemployment Benefits
Weekly amount, weeks, waiting week and tax.
Michigan Unemployment Benefits
Weekly amount, weeks, waiting week and tax.
New Jersey Unemployment Benefits
Weekly amount, weeks, waiting week and tax.
Sources
Related Calculators
Unemployment Benefits Calculator
Estimate weekly UI benefits for CA, TX, NY, FL, OH — plus a PA reference
Severance Tax Calculator
Supplemental wage withholding, FICA, state tax on separation pay
Quarterly Estimated Tax
Four installments (4/15, 6/15, 9/15, 1/15), safe harbor 90%/100%
State Income Tax
All 50-state brackets, credits, deductions for your filing status