Can I apply for unemployment and disability at the same time in Washington?

That makes sense about the potential conflict. How do I handle the weekly claims if I'm genuinely able to do some types of work but not others?

You'd need to specify what types of work you can perform and what accommodations you need. Document everything with your doctor's input.

How long did the adjudication process take for your unemployment claim? I'm worried about delays.

About 3 weeks, but I had to provide medical documentation showing I could still perform certain job duties. The key was being specific about limitations.

Did you have any issues with Washington ESD questioning the conflict between the two applications?

Thanks for the suggestion! I've been trying to call for days with no luck. How quickly were you able to get through?

Usually within a few tries instead of the hundreds of attempts I was making before. Worth it for complex situations like yours where you need specific guidance.

There's a difference between total disability and partial disability. Many people have conditions that limit their work capacity but don't completely prevent them from working.

exactly, disability isn't always black and white. someone might not be able to do physical labor but could still do desk work with accommodations

oh ok that makes more sense then. didn't realize disability could be partial like that

I haven't heard of an RFC assessment before. Is this something I request from my regular doctor or a specialist?

Either can do it, but specialists who understand your condition might provide more detailed assessments. It's basically a form that lists your physical and mental limitations for work activities.

I didn't know Washington had a temporary disability program separate from federal disability. How does that work with unemployment?

It's through the same system as paid family leave. You can't collect both simultaneously, but it might be a bridge while you figure out your long-term situation.

Good point about PFML. That program is for temporary conditions while you're recovering, which might fit better than permanent disability if your condition could improve.

That's a great point about consistency. I need to be very careful about how I describe my limitations.

Exactly why the RFC assessment is so important. Having a medical professional document your exact capabilities helps maintain consistency across applications.

How did you handle the job search requirements while dealing with medical limitations?

Had to document that I was only applying for jobs within my restrictions. Used WorkSourceWA to track everything and noted my limitations in the job search log.

That's smart about documenting the limitations in your job search. Did Washington ESD accept that approach?

I hadn't thought about benefit offsets. This is getting complicated fast.

The offset rules vary depending on which disability program you're talking about. Social Security Disability has different rules than state programs or private insurance.

That might be the practical approach. Did he have trouble finding work that accommodated his condition?

took a while but he eventually found remote work that didn't aggravate his condition. worked out better than trying to navigate both systems

I haven't looked into vocational rehabilitation. Do they work with people who are currently unemployed?

Yes, that's actually one of their main functions. They can provide job training, accommodations, and placement services for people with disabilities who want to work.

Good advice about keeping copies. I'm already drowning in paperwork and I haven't even started yet.

seriously get a binder or folder system set up now. you'll be referencing these documents constantly

My doctor isn't sure if my back will improve with treatment or get worse over time. That uncertainty makes it hard to choose a path.

In cases like that, I'd probably start with unemployment since it's faster, then pursue disability as a backup plan if the condition doesn't improve.

That's sound advice. Unemployment benefits can start within weeks while disability can take months or years to get approved.

That's a scary thought but important to keep in mind. Better to be cautious and consistent than risk losing everything.

It sounds like getting direct guidance from Washington ESD is really important for situations like this.

Absolutely. Generic online info doesn't cover the edge cases, and you don't want to guess wrong when it comes to benefit eligibility.

Another thing I hadn't considered. This is why I'm glad I asked here before jumping into applications.

yeah it's complicated stuff. better to get advice upfront than try to fix problems later

That's probably smart given how complex this is getting. Do you have any recommendations for finding attorneys who handle these cases?

Most disability attorneys offer free consultations since they work on contingency. Just search for disability lawyers in Washington state and call a few.

Glad it helped! This has been way more complicated than I expected but at least now I have a better idea of what I'm dealing with.

Thank you everyone for all the advice! I feel much more prepared to navigate this process now.