Can I claim ESD benefits after workplace injury while seeking suitable alternative employment?

Yes, you can claim unemployment in this situation! It's called "worker with a disability" status. You're considered able and available for work as long as you can perform some type of suitable work, even if it's different from your previous job. You'll need to get a statement from your doctor documenting your limitations. Upload this with your initial claim or under "Upload a Document" in your eServices account. When filing weekly claims, make sure you answer "YES" to being able and available for work (since you are able to work with restrictions). The key is showing you're actively searching for jobs you CAN physically do. Keep detailed records of your job search activities, especially ones that fit your current limitations.

im in almost the same boat hurt my shoulder at construction job last yr. its super confusing becuz L&I and ESD dont communicate with eachother good. make sure u tell ESD ur NOT getting time loss from L&I or theyll deny u. also when u do job searches make sure there jobs u can actually do with ur back or theyll say ur not really looking

I went through this exact situation in 2024 after a knee injury. It's a bit complicated but definitely possible to get UI while you're transitioning to different work due to injury. Here's what you need to know: 1. You must be physically capable of performing SOME type of work (which you are) 2. You need medical documentation clearly stating what you CAN do (not just what you can't) 3. Your job searches must be for positions that fit within your documented restrictions 4. You should answer "Yes" to being able and available for work on weekly claims 5. If you get any L&I payments, you MUST report them when filing weekly claims The most important thing: document EVERYTHING. ESD will likely put your claim in adjudication initially to verify all this. Be prepared for that delay.

THE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO MAKE THIS HARD!!! I went through this last year and spent WEEKS trying to get through to someone who understood my situation. They kept telling me different things every time I called. One agent would say I qualify, then another would say I don't because of my restrictions. I finally had to get my state representative involved to resolve it! Whatever you do, DON'T stop filing your weekly claims even if they initially deny you. If you win an appeal later, they can only pay you for weeks you actually filed claims for.

I had a wrist injury last summer that kept me from going back to my job as a mechanic. ESD kept denying my claims saying I wasn't able and available for work. But that's not right - I just couldn't do THAT specific job. Had to appeal twice before someone actually read my doctor's note saying I could do desk work!!

Have you tried calling ESD directly to explain your situation? When I had a similar issue last year, getting someone on the phone made all the difference. They explained exactly what documentation I needed and even made notes in my file about my situation.

I want to clarify something important: With workplace injuries, you need to be careful about the timing between L&I and ESD. If your L&I claim is approved and you receive time-loss compensation, you can't receive unemployment for the same period. However, if your doctor has released you to work with restrictions (as in your case), and your employer can't accommodate those restrictions, you're generally eligible for unemployment while searching for work within your medical limitations. When you apply, make sure to explain this situation clearly in the section that asks why you left your last job. Select "physically unable to do job" and provide details about your restrictions and lack of accommodation options.

one more thing to watch out for!! when ur doing ur weekly claims make sure u answer the questions right. if u say ur not able to work theyll deny u. u ARE able to work just with restrictions. big difference to them!!!!!

This is a common situation, and many people get confused about how to handle it properly. Based on my experience working with clients in similar situations (I'm a former workforce development specialist), here's what you should expect: 1. Your claim will likely go into adjudication for 3-6 weeks while they verify everything 2. You'll need to clearly document that your doctor has released you for some type of work 3. Your job search activities need to align with your medical restrictions 4. The adjudicator will likely call your previous employer to verify they can't accommodate your restrictions If your L&I claim gets approved while this is processing, you'll need to immediately report any time-loss payments to avoid an overpayment situation.