Bottom line advice: get professional guidance before making any decisions. This isn't something to figure out through trial and error because the financial consequences of getting it wrong are too high.

I've been following this discussion and wanted to add that Washington State also has Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) which might be relevant to your situation. It's different from both unemployment and disability - it's for when you can't work due to a serious health condition but may return to work later. You might want to look into whether your back condition qualifies for PFML benefits instead of or in addition to the other options you're considering. The eligibility requirements and how it interacts with other benefits could be worth exploring.

Has anyone actually received their 2025 payment yet??? Or are we all just waiting and speculating?? 😤

I'm in the same boat as everyone else - still waiting on my 2025 WFTC payment! I applied back in January right after filing my taxes, but my MyDOR account just shows "application under review." It's frustrating because I really need that money for rent. I called the DOR number someone mentioned (360-763-7300) yesterday and they said my application looks complete, just waiting for the April 5th processing batch. At least now I know it's not an ESD issue - I was checking the wrong website this whole time! Fingers crossed we all get our payments soon.

Thank you all so much for the helpful information! I'm going to start tracking my design work hours more carefully and report the gross earnings during the week I actually do the work. I'll make sure to stay under that 25% threshold when possible to maximize my benefits while I'm job hunting. This community has been way more helpful than the ESD website!

Just wanted to add my experience as someone who does freelance photography while on UI - I've found it really helpful to use a simple spreadsheet to track everything weekly. I have columns for: date of work, client/project, hours worked, gross earnings, and notes. This makes it super easy when I file my weekly claim and also gives me documentation if ESD ever audits me. Also, don't forget that if you work more than your "full-time" hours in a week (usually 40), you might be considered unavailable for work that week even if your earnings are below the threshold. The availability requirement is separate from the earnings deduction!

Try calling right at 8am when they open. I got through twice that way, but it still took 45 minutes on hold each time.

I've been dealing with Washington ESD for months and can confirm they almost never call back unless it's legally required like for hearings or mandatory interviews. The callback feature through their phone system is essentially broken - I've requested callbacks dozens of times and never received one. Your best strategy is to keep calling persistently, especially right when they open at 8am or try mid-afternoon around 2-3pm when some people give up. Also make sure you continue filing your weekly claims even during adjudication - that's crucial to keep your claim active. The waiting is brutal but eventually you'll get through if you're persistent enough.

One last thing to be aware of: PFML and unemployment have different impacts on your employer. PFML claims don't raise your employer's tax rates like unemployment claims do. So that's another reason to go the PFML route - less potential blowback when you're ready to return to work.

Thank you everyone for all this detailed information! This thread has been incredibly helpful. I had no idea these were such different programs with different requirements and benefits. Based on what you've all shared, I'm definitely going to pursue PFML instead of UI. I'll schedule a meeting with HR tomorrow to discuss taking a formal medical leave of absence and start the PFML application process through paidleave.wa.gov. It's reassuring to know that my position should be protected since we're a larger company. One follow-up question - does anyone know roughly how long the PFML approval process typically takes? I want to make sure I time everything correctly with my doctor's recommended start date for the leave.