


Ask the community...
Been helping people with unemployment claims for years. The Sunday rule is solid advice. File the Sunday of the week you become unemployed, have your employment history ready, and be honest about everything.
wish i had known about the sunday timing when i got laid off. waited almost a week to file and probably missed out on some benefits. dont make my mistake!
One more thing - if you have any kind of severance pay or vacation payout, make sure you report that accurately. It might affect when your benefits start, but being upfront about it prevents problems later.
The whole process took me about 30 minutes to complete the initial application. Don't overthink it - just answer the questions honestly and thoroughly. You can always provide additional information later if needed.
The whole thing seems designed to be confusing on purpose. Like they dont want people to know theyre eligible so they can save money.
Bottom line: if you've been working and paying into the system, you're probably eligible if you lose your job through no fault of your own. The specific requirements are on the Washington ESD website but talking to an agent is the best way to get a definitive answer for your situation.
One more thing to remember - if you turn down suitable work offers, Washington ESD can disqualify you and cut off your benefits even before the 26 weeks are up.
No, it doesn't have to be identical, but it should generally match your skills and pay reasonably close to your previous wage, especially early in your claim.
Thanks everyone for all this info! This thread has been way more helpful than the Washington ESD website. At least now I know I have up to 26 weeks and what I need to do to keep getting benefits.
CyberNinja
The bottom line is that it's possible to get both, but you need to meet all the requirements for unemployment while being honest about your disability. The 'able and available' requirement is key - you have to genuinely be able to work within your restrictions.
0 coins
Paolo Romano
•That makes sense. I think my situation might qualify since I can do desk work. I'll gather all my medical documentation and apply carefully.
0 coins
Mateo Lopez
•Definitely get everything from your doctor in writing about what you can and can't do workwise.
0 coins
Aisha Abdullah
One more thing - if you do get approved for both benefits, the unemployment office might periodically review your case to make sure you're still meeting the requirements. Don't be surprised if they ask for updated medical documentation.
0 coins
Paolo Romano
•Thanks for the heads up. I'll make sure to keep my medical records updated and stay in touch with my doctor about my work capabilities.
0 coins