Originally published June 18, 2009 at 5:00 PM | Page modified June 19, 2009 at 9:29 AM

State's jobless benefits rise with '08 wage gains

State unemployment benefits will go up next month, a consequence of rising average wages last year despite a slowing economy. The average annual wage...

By Seattle Times staff

State unemployment benefits will go up next month, a consequence of rising average wages last year despite a slowing economy.

The average annual wage in Washington last year was $46,256, a 3.4 percent increase over 2007, according to the state Employment Security Department. The department uses the average annual wage to compute jobless benefits and unemployment taxes.

For new claims starting July 5, the minimum weekly payment (received by about 6 percent of claimants) will be $133; the maximum (received by a quarter of claimants) will be $560.

Including temporary increases under state and federal stimulus packages, the minimum and maximum benefits will be $225 and $630, respectively, for claims opened in July through the end of the year.

Starting next year, employers will pay unemployment tax on the first $36,800 paid to each worker, up from $35,700 this year.

For more information, go to the department's Web site at www.esd.wa.gov.

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