


Ask the community...
OP, you've got this! The process seems scary at first but thousands of people go through it successfully every week. Just take it one step at a time and don't be afraid to ask questions here if you get stuck.
Last piece of advice - if your claim gets flagged for adjudication (review), don't panic. It's pretty common and usually resolves within a few weeks. They might need to verify your employment or reason for separation. Just respond to any requests for information quickly and accurately.
Good luck with your application! The restaurant industry has been tough lately but there are lots of opportunities out there. Use your unemployment time to maybe explore some new career options too.
One more thing - if you're eligible for severance or other benefits from your employer, ask HR about the timing. Sometimes they can structure the payments to minimize the impact on your unemployment benefits.
Just want to echo what others said about applying ASAP. I waited a week thinking I needed to 'settle in' to being unemployed first, and I basically lost a week of benefits. You can always file and then deal with any complications later.
The unemployment system in Washington is actually pretty good compared to other states I've lived in. The online portal works most of the time and payments are reliable.
One thing to watch out for - if you move to another state while collecting Washington unemployment, you need to notify them right away. Interstate claims can get complicated.
Sofia Torres
The bottom line is it depends on your specific medical restrictions and job availability. If you can do some type of work and are actively looking, you might qualify. But you absolutely need to be upfront about your workers comp claim when you apply for unemployment.
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Aisha Mahmood
•I'll make sure to mention the workers comp claim in my application. Better to be honest from the start.
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Dmitry Sokolov
•Smart move. Washington ESD will find out about the workers comp anyway, so transparency is key.
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Ava Martinez
Just want to add that timing matters too. If you're in the middle of workers comp treatment and your doctor hasn't cleared you for any work yet, you probably won't qualify for unemployment. But once you're cleared for light duty or modified work, that's when you might be eligible.
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Miguel Ramos
•Good plan. Having that medical clearance will be crucial for your unemployment application.
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QuantumQuasar
•Also remember that even if you get cleared for light duty, you still need to be actively job searching to maintain your unemployment benefits.
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