University of Washington Human Resources

Information about unemployment benefits

Last updated: May 21, 2025

The Washington State Employment Security Department (ESD) is responsible for administering unemployment benefits which partially replace regular wages when you are out of work. Benefits are normally not available if you are terminated for gross misconduct.

Qualifying criteria for Washington state unemployment

Under Washington state law, you are eligible for benefits if you:

• Have worked for at least 680 hours in the state of Washington during the “base year” (the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters) in a position included in Washington’s unemployment program.
• Have worked in Washington sometime in the last 18 months (unless you were in the military or worked for the federal government).
• Quit your job for good cause, or have been laid off or fired (unless for gross misconduct).
• Were injured or you are a worker affected by foreign trade.
• Are looking for work, available for work, and willing to accept an offer of suitable work (except when they are on standby while temporarily laid off).

Student employees and Washington state unemployment

Student employees are typically exempt from Washington state unemployment under RCW 50.44.040 and UW does not report wage or hour information for student employees to ESD.

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Amount

The amount of the Washington state unemployment benefit is determined by ESD and can be estimated using this ESD tool. Individuals eligible for unemployment report any earnings as part of a “weekly claim,” including payments from UW such as wages (including paid time off), which may reduce the weekly benefit amount.

For new unemployment claims filed on or after July 7, 2024, the minimum weekly benefit amount is $342 and the maximum weekly benefit amount is $1,079.

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How to file for unemployment benefits

To apply for unemployment benefits, follow the application process on ESD Unemployment benefits webpage. Before applying, gather the information you’ll need. Visit the Have this information ready webpage or see page 1 of the Unemployed Worker Handbook to prepare.

Use your payslip to sum the total of your gross wages and to average how many hours you work on a weekly basis. You can enter gross wages per hour, week, month, or year.

When asked to identify your employer:

• UW employees (including UWMC Montlake, UWMC Northwest, and UW Medicine Primary Care) use Federal tax ID 91-6001537 and Employment Security Reference Number 000990180003
• Harborview employees use Federal tax ID 91-6001537 and Employment Security Reference Number 000992172009

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Unemployment benefits for employees working outside of Washington

Employees who work outside of the state of Washington may be eligible for unemployment benefit programs that are administered in other states. The employee’s position work location determines where the employee applies for benefits and whether the University reimburses that state for such benefits or pays a quarterly tax. Review the table below to locate your state’s unemployment benefits program.

Reimbursable states

Employees whose position work location is one of the Reimbursable states listed in the table below have their hours and wages reported to that state. If a UW employee applies for and receives unemployment benefits from a Reimbursable state, that state will bill the University for reimbursement.

Tax Paid states

Employees whose position work location is one of the Tax Paid states listed in the table below have their hours and wages reported to that state. If a UW employee applies for and receives unemployment benefits from a Tax Paid state, the cost of those benefits is covered by that state. However, the University pays a quarterly tax to these states.

Report to Washington states

Employees whose position work location is one of the Report to Washington states listed in the table below have their hours and wages reported to the Washington ESD. If a UW employee applies for and receives unemployment benefits from the Washington ESD, the Washington ESD will bill the University for reimbursement.

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Resources

• Washington State Employment Security Department
• FAQs about unemployment compensation
• Remote work location and out-of-state work policy

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