Washington Unemployment Benefits Calculator 2026

To qualify for unemployment in Washington, you generally must have lost your job through no fault of your own (layoff, reduction in force, or position elimination), have earned wages from a covered employer during a defined "base period" (typically the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters), and meet minimum-earnings thresholds. Workers fired for misconduct or who voluntarily quit without good cause are usually ineligible.

Your weekly benefit amount (WBA) is calculated from earnings in your highest-paid quarter (or sometimes top two quarters) of the base period, capped at approximately $1079 per week in 2026 for Washington. Maximum duration in Washington is up to 26 weeks. Most states max at 26 weeks; Massachusetts uniquely allows up to 30, while a handful (FL, GA, NC, AL, MO, AR, KS, MI) cap regular benefits below 26. Extended benefits may activate during periods of high state unemployment.

To keep receiving benefits, claimants must file weekly or biweekly certifications, document active work-search activities, accept suitable work offers, and report any earnings from part-time or gig work. Severance pay, vacation payouts, and pensions can offset or delay benefits depending on state rules. Apply through the Washington workforce agency as soon as possible after job separation — there is typically a one-week unpaid waiting period before benefits begin.