Thanks everyone for the helpful info! Just to make sure I understand: I need to file a claim for the waiting week even though I won't get paid, and if I don't, my benefits will be delayed. I'll make sure to do that right away. One more question - does the waiting week count toward my total benefit weeks? Like if I'm approved for 26 weeks, does that include the waiting week or is it 26 paid weeks plus the unpaid waiting week?

I went through this same thing a few months ago and was so confused! The waiting week really caught me off guard financially. One tip that helped me - I used that first week to really organize my job search strategy and get familiar with the ESD system. Since you have to file the claim anyway but won't get paid, it's a good time to make sure you understand all the requirements like work search activities and how to properly fill out your weekly claims. That way when your paid weeks start, you won't have any hiccups. Also, definitely set up direct deposit if you haven't already - it makes getting your benefits much faster once they start coming.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do. Toxic work environments are no joke and sometimes your mental health is more important than a paycheck. Just make sure you have a plan before you make any big moves.

I went through something very similar about a year ago - started a job, realized it was a terrible fit with management issues, and was terrified about my unemployment eligibility. What really helped me was contacting an employment attorney for a free consultation. They explained that Washington is pretty worker-friendly when it comes to constructive dismissal (basically being forced to quit due to intolerable conditions). If you're documenting the inappropriate behavior and hostile environment, you may have stronger protections than you think. Also, consider reaching out to your state's labor department about the harassment - sometimes having an official complaint on file can strengthen your case if you do need to quit. Don't let a bad supervisor destroy your mental health, but definitely get your ducks in a row first.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful responses! I feel much more prepared to navigate this process now. It's reassuring to know others have successfully managed both disability and unemployment benefits.

I'm in a very similar situation to you, Ravi! I've been on partial disability for about 8 months and my physical therapist just cleared me to start looking for light-duty work. Reading through all these responses has been really eye-opening - especially about needing to be super transparent with Washington ESD from the beginning. I've been hesitant to apply because I wasn't sure if having ongoing PT appointments would disqualify me, but it sounds like as long as I'm cleared to work within my limitations, I should be okay. Has anyone dealt with scheduling conflicts between required job search activities and medical appointments? That's my biggest concern right now.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful information. I'm going to file for unemployment tomorrow and just be completely honest about my situation. Fingers crossed it works out!

I just wanted to chime in as someone who successfully navigated this exact situation last year. I was receiving partial disability through L&I after a back injury and my employer cut my hours from 40 to about 12 per week. The key things that helped me get approved for both benefits were: 1) Having clear medical documentation that I could work with restrictions (not that I couldn't work at all), 2) Being very specific in my UI application about my work limitations but emphasizing my availability within those limits, and 3) reporting my L&I payments accurately on every weekly claim. Yes, they did reduce my UI benefits dollar-for-dollar, but I still ended up with more total income than just the disability alone. The adjudication process took about 6 weeks, which was stressful, but it was worth it in the end. Make sure you register with WorkSource right away and keep up with your job search requirements - that's something they really scrutinize. Happy to answer any specific questions if it would help!

Bottom line - job abandonment doesn't automatically disqualify you if you had good cause. File your claim, be honest about the circumstances, and don't be afraid to appeal if you get denied initially. You might be surprised by the outcome.

I went through something similar about 6 months ago. The key thing to remember is that Washington state recognizes "constructive dismissal" - basically when working conditions are so bad that any reasonable person would have to quit. Mental health impacts from a hostile work environment absolutely count as good cause. When you file your claim, focus on specific incidents and how they affected your ability to do your job safely. Even without formal HR complaints, you can still build a strong case. Document everything you can remember now - dates, what was said, how it made you feel, any physical symptoms like anxiety or insomnia. I ended up getting approved after initially being denied, and the back pay helped a lot during my job search.