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Congrats and good luck with the new job! You're handling this the right way by asking questions and being proactive about stopping benefits properly.
Great advice from everyone here! I went through this exact same process last year and can confirm - just stop filing your weekly claims and you're all set. One additional tip: keep a record of your last claim date and the reason you stopped (new employment) in case you ever need to reference it later. Washington ESD's system will show your claim as inactive, but having your own records never hurts. Best of luck with the new position!
random question but did u use all 16 weeks of PFML at once? i thought the max was 12 weeks? just curious cause ill need to do this soon myself
The standard is 12 weeks, but you can get up to 16 weeks if you have a combination of family and medical leave reasons in a year, and up to 18 weeks for certain pregnancy-related complications. In my case, I had my own medical issue earlier in the year (4 weeks) and then 12 weeks for family care. Check the PFML website for details!
I went through something very similar in 2023 when my father needed extended care after his heart surgery. Here's what I learned: You CAN transition from PFML to unemployment, but timing and how you frame your availability is crucial. When you file, be very specific that you're available for part-time work (at least 20 hours/week is what they typically look for) and can work around your caregiving schedule. Since your employer is ending the relationship due to inability to accommodate continued leave, that should qualify as a valid separation. The key is being honest but strategic - you're not unavailable for work, you just have scheduling constraints. Also, keep detailed records of your job search efforts and consider reaching out to WorkSource about accommodations for caregivers. The transition can work, but expect some back-and-forth with ESD initially. Don't get discouraged if there are delays or initial questions about your availability!
Final update from the OP: My claim was approved! I'm now collecting both Social Security ($1,247/month) and unemployment ($467/week). No issues whatsoever. Thanks everyone for the advice and reassurance!
This is such valuable information! I'm 62 and was just laid off from my manufacturing job after 15 years. I've been collecting Social Security early retirement for about 4 months now and was really worried that it would disqualify me from unemployment benefits. Reading through everyone's experiences here gives me confidence to file my claim. It's reassuring to know that Washington state treats these as separate benefits and that so many people have successfully collected both. Thanks to everyone who shared their stories - it really helps those of us navigating this for the first time!
I went through something similar last year. The appeal process was stressful but I ultimately won. Make sure you're keeping detailed records of everything right now - save emails, texts, and write down your recollection of conversations while they're fresh. In my hearing, the judge asked very detailed questions about dates and times. Also, I was able to get a former coworker to provide a statement confirming the company handbook policy, which really helped my case. Do you have anyone who could corroborate your understanding of the policy?
That's a great idea. I have a good relationship with my former team lead who was always fair with me. I could ask if she'd be willing to confirm the policy was applied inconsistently. I'm a bit nervous about the hearing process - did you have representation or did you handle it yourself? I'm worried about saying the wrong thing.
I represented myself, but I prepared a LOT. The judges are used to people without lawyers. They'll guide you through the process. Just stick to the facts, answer questions directly, and don't get emotional (even if your employer says things that aren't true). Having that team lead's testimony could be huge - even a written statement from them about the policy would help.
I'm new to this whole unemployment appeal process but your situation sounds really unfair. From what I'm reading here, it seems like you have a strong case since they didn't follow their own written policy. I'm dealing with my own ESD issues (different reasons) and it's so frustrating how employers can just change their story after the fact. The advice about citing that specific regulation (WAC 192-150-200) sounds really smart. I hope you get this resolved quickly - the stress of not knowing when benefits might come through is awful. Good luck with your appeal!
Jenna Sloan
I'm dealing with something very similar right now! Been approved and receiving payments since early February, then last week I noticed "adjudication in progress" appeared on my account with no warning or explanation. Like you, I'm still getting my weekly payments deposited normally, but it's nerve-wracking not knowing what's going on. I tried calling ESD multiple times but kept getting busy signals or dropped calls after long hold times. The uncertainty is really stressful - you start wondering if you did something wrong or if there's going to be some surprise demand for repayment later. Reading through all these responses is actually really comforting though. It sounds like these random adjudication reviews are much more common than I realized, and most people seem to have them resolve without any major issues. I'm going to keep filing my weekly claims accurately and check my account daily like everyone suggested. Fingers crossed it just disappears like yours did!
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Mateo Hernandez
•I'm in almost the exact same boat as you! Also approved in February and just noticed the adjudication status appear last week with zero explanation. It's so frustrating how they give you no heads up or context about what's happening. I've been losing sleep over this thinking I might have made some mistake on my claims or something. But after reading everyone's experiences here, it really does seem like these random reviews are just part of their normal process. The fact that we're both still getting payments is definitely reassuring. I'm going to follow the same advice - keep filing accurately and checking everything daily. Hope yours resolves quickly too!
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Sophia Carter
I'm going through this exact same situation right now! I've been approved since mid-January and getting regular payments, then suddenly last Thursday I see "adjudication in progress" pop up with absolutely no explanation. Still getting my weekly deposits but I've been checking my account obsessively every few hours expecting the worst. What's really frustrating is how they just drop this status on you with zero context. No email, no letter, no message in eServices - just suddenly there it is making you panic. I called the customer service line about 15 times yesterday and either got busy signals or sat on hold for over an hour before getting disconnected. Reading everyone's experiences here is honestly the most helpful information I've gotten about this whole process. It's reassuring to know that these mystery adjudications are apparently pretty routine and most people have them resolve without major issues. I was convinced I had somehow messed up my weekly claims or that my former employer had filed some kind of complaint against me. Going to keep filing my weeklies accurately and checking for any communications like everyone suggested. Hopefully mine disappears as mysteriously as it appeared! Thanks for sharing your experience and coming back to update - it really helps those of us going through the same thing right now.
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