Washington Unemployment Calculator
Figure basis: Official Washington State Employment Security DepartmentThis calculator estimates your Washington unemployment insurance (UI) weekly benefit for 2026. Enter your usual gross weekly pay to see an estimated weekly benefit, alongside the official Washington minimum ($383) and maximum ($1,208) weekly benefit amounts and the 1 to 26 weeks of benefits payable. The weekly amount is an estimate: it uses about 50% wage replacement (which matches the common "one twenty-sixth of high-quarter wages" rule) and is capped at the state minimum and maximum. Your state agency sets the exact figure from your base-period wage history, and eligibility rules apply. The minimum, maximum, and number of weeks are the official 2026 figures, sourced from Washington State Employment Security Department.
In Washington, the weekly unemployment benefit ranges from $383 to $1,208, payable for 1 to 26 weeks (up to $31,408 in total). On $1,000 a week, the estimated benefit is about $500.00 per week.
How Washington unemployment benefits work
Washington pays a weekly benefit amount (WBA) based on your earnings during the base period (usually the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters). The WBA is subject to a state minimum of $383 and a maximum of $1,208, and is payable for 1 to 26 weeks.
estimated weekly benefit = min(max(weekly wage x 50%, $383), $1,208)
estimated maximum total = estimated weekly benefit x 26 weeks
The 50% figure is an approximation of the common state formula; your state agency sets the exact WBA from your wage records.
Washington unemployment figures (2026)
| Figure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum weekly benefit | $383 | Washington State Employment Security Department |
| Maximum weekly benefit | $1,208 | Washington State Employment Security Department |
| Weeks payable | 1 to 26 weeks | Washington State Employment Security Department |
Editor's insight: Washington's top-tier maximum
Washington runs one of the most generous unemployment programs in the nation. The weekly benefit reaches $1,208, well above most states, with a minimum of $383, and it is recalculated every year against Washington's average annual wage, which is why the maximum keeps climbing and last year's figure is almost always out of date. The current numbers took effect in early July 2026.
The duration band shown here, 1 to 26 weeks, looks unusual but reflects how entitlement works: your maximum benefit is a dollar total, and low base-period earnings can translate to as little as a single week even when your weekly rate is healthy. Washington sets the weekly amount at roughly 3.85 percent of the average of your two highest base-period quarters, subject to the $383 to $1,208 band. This tool uses a simpler 50 percent approximation, so the two can diverge, especially near the cap.
Because Washington levies no state income tax, nothing is withheld at the state level, though the benefit is still federally taxable and reported on a 1099-G. Two practical notes: the high $1,208 ceiling means even solid earners may see real wage replacement here, unlike low-cap states, and Washington's separate Paid Family and Medical Leave program is distinct from unemployment, so do not conflate the two when you estimate what you are owed.
Washington unemployment: frequently asked questions
What is the maximum unemployment benefit in Washington for 2026?
The maximum weekly benefit amount in Washington is $1,208 for 2026. The minimum is $383. Over the maximum 26 weeks, that is up to $31,408 in total benefits.
How many weeks of unemployment can I get in Washington?
Washington pays benefits for 1 to 26 weeks; the exact number depends on your base-period wages and, in some states, the state unemployment rate.
How much unemployment will I get in Washington?
Your weekly benefit is roughly half your usual gross weekly pay, subject to the Washington minimum of $383 and maximum of $1,208. For example, on $1,000 a week the estimate is about $500.00. This is an estimate; Washington sets your exact amount from your base-period wage history.
Is this the exact unemployment amount I will receive?
No. The minimum, maximum, and weeks shown are the official 2026 figures, but the weekly amount here is an estimate (about 50% wage replacement, which matches the common "one twenty-sixth of high-quarter wages" rule). Your state agency computes the exact figure from your reported wages, and eligibility rules apply.
Official sources
- Washington unemployment weekly benefit and duration (tax year 2026): Washington State Employment Security Department, as at Jul 15, 2026.
Reviewed by the CalculatorHub team, edited by James Graham, 15 July 2026. See our methodology. General information, not legal or financial advice; file your claim with your state agency.