Unemployment benefits in Washington
Washington's maximum weekly unemployment benefit is $1,208.
| Minimum weekly benefit | $383 |
|---|---|
| Maximum weekly benefit | $1,208 |
| Maximum duration | 26 weeks |
How the weekly benefit is calculated
A percentage of base-period wages; minimum set at 20% of the state average weekly wage, maximum at the greater of $496 or 63% of the state average weekly wage. No individual benefit can exceed the claimant's own average weekly wage.
Effective July 5, 2026 through June 2027. Washington's maximum is the highest of any state, driven by its 2025 average weekly wage of $1,919.
Sources
- Washington Employment Security Dept. — 2026 average annual wage adjusts UI and Paid Leave benefits, read 2026-08-23.
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Washington unemployment: common questions
How much is unemployment in Washington?
A percentage of base-period wages; minimum set at 20% of the state average weekly wage, maximum at the greater of $496 or 63% of the state average weekly wage. No individual benefit can exceed the claimant's own average weekly wage. The minimum weekly benefit is $383, and the maximum is $1,208. Effective July 5, 2026 through June 2027. Washington's maximum is the highest of any state, driven by its 2025 average weekly wage of $1,919.
How long do unemployment benefits last in Washington?
Up to 26 weeks, the standard duration most states pay.
What wages count toward my benefit?
The standard base period: your wages in the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you filed your claim.
What is the maximum weekly unemployment payment in Washington?
$1,208 a week is the most Washington pays, before any deductions you elect such as tax withholding or child support. Most claimants receive less, because the weekly amount is calculated from your own base-period wages: A percentage of base-period wages; minimum set at 20% of the state average weekly wage, maximum at the greater of $496 or 63% of the state average weekly wage. No individual benefit can exceed the claimant's own average weekly wage.
What day does unemployment pay in Washington?
This page does not model payment dates. Timing is set by Washington's own unemployment agency rather than by the benefit formula, and normally depends on when your weekly or biweekly claim is filed and processed rather than on a fixed calendar day. What this page does model is how much you are owed and for how long, both traced to the sources listed below.
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