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Bottom line - you probably don't qualify for unemployment while on approved leave, but PFML might be exactly what you need for your caregiving situation. That program is specifically designed for people who need to take time off to care for family members.
Thank you everyone for all the helpful responses. I'm going to look into PFML and see if I can get through to someone to discuss my specific situation.
Good luck! Hope you're able to get the support you need during this difficult time.
I went through something very similar when I had to take care of my grandmother last year. You're right that you can't get regular unemployment while on approved leave - I learned that the hard way. But definitely pursue PFML! The application process was pretty straightforward once I got the medical documentation together. You'll need your parent's doctor to fill out forms certifying the serious health condition, but it's worth it. PFML gave me about 90% of my regular pay during the leave. The Washington State PFML website has a good eligibility tool that can help you figure out if you qualify and estimate your benefits. Don't give up - there is help available, just not through the unemployment system.
This is really helpful! I'm curious about the medical documentation process - how long did it take to get everything together and submitted? I'm worried about delays since my parent's condition is progressing and I need to start the leave soon.
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Final reminder - start your job search immediately even while waiting for benefits to kick in. Washington takes the work search requirement seriously and you want to have a good record from day one.
Absolutely, I'm already updating my resume and looking at job boards. Thanks for keeping me focused on that!
Just wanted to add that it's really important to be completely honest on your application about the reason for separation from your job. Even though it's a layoff, make sure you have documentation from your employer (like a layoff notice or termination letter) that clearly states it wasn't due to misconduct. This can help prevent your claim from going into adjudication unnecessarily. Also, if you have any union involvement or severance pay, make sure to report that accurately as it can affect your benefit timing and amount.
This is really good advice about the documentation! I should definitely ask HR for a formal layoff letter when they give me notice. Better to have it upfront than scramble for it later if there are questions about my eligibility.
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This whole thread has been really helpful. I had no idea about benefit years before reading this. Sounds like I need to start preparing for when mine ends in a few months.
Glad it helped! The key is just being prepared and filing your new claim on time.
Definitely. Better to know ahead of time than be caught off guard.
Thanks everyone for all the helpful info in this thread! I'm in a similar situation - my benefit year is ending next month and I was completely clueless about having to reapply. One thing I'm wondering about is whether there are any documents I should gather ahead of time to make the new application process smoother? Like should I have pay stubs ready or anything specific that might speed things up?
Great question! You'll want to gather employment information for all your jobs in the past 18 months - company names, addresses, dates of employment, and your supervisor's contact info. Having your Social Security card and ID ready is also helpful. Pay stubs aren't usually required during the initial application, but it's good to have them available in case there are any wage disputes later. The main thing is having accurate employer details since that's what causes most delays when people get addresses or dates wrong.
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Thanks everyone for all the helpful info! I feel much better prepared to deal with my taxes now. Going to file early and see what happens.
Good luck! Remember, even if you owe money, it's manageable with payment plans. Don't stress too much about it.
Definitely helped ease my anxiety about the whole situation. This community is great!
One thing I learned the hard way - if you're planning to be on unemployment again in the future, definitely set up the tax withholding from the start. Even though it reduces your weekly benefit amount, it's so much better than getting hit with a huge tax bill later. You can change the withholding setting in your Washington ESD online account under preferences. I wish I had known this when I first filed - would have saved me so much financial stress during tax season.
Yara Sayegh
One more question - if you're getting unemployment and then find a job, do you need to notify Washington ESD right away or just stop filing claims?
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Yara Sayegh
•Thanks! I start Monday so I'll make sure to report it on my Sunday filing.
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Keisha Johnson
•Congrats on the job! Make sure you report your last day of unemployment accurately.
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Axel Bourke
I'm new to the Washington unemployment system and this whole thread has been incredibly helpful! Just wanted to add that I found the WorkSource website (worksourcewa.com) really useful for tracking job search activities. They have templates for job search logs and it integrates well with the ESD requirements. Also, if you're doing online training through LinkedIn Learning or similar platforms, make sure to save certificates - those count as valid job search activities too. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences!
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