Can I collect Washington ESD unemployment after paid family leave ends?

Yes you should definitely be able to file for unemployment! Paid family leave doesn't disqualify you from UI benefits as long as you meet the other requirements. Since you were employed for 3 years before the leave, you definitely have enough work history. The key is that you're now available and actively seeking work.

i was in the exact same situation last year!! took family leave for my dad's cancer treatment and when i came back they said my position was eliminated. washington esd approved my claim no problem, just had to explain the circumstances during the phone interview

Actually, this depends on several factors. While paid family leave itself doesn't disqualify you, Washington ESD will need to verify that you're now available for work and that your separation from employment wasn't voluntary. Since your employer terminated you due to restructuring after your protected leave ended, this should qualify as an involuntary separation. Make sure you have documentation showing the employer's reason for the termination.

Ugh I've been trying to get through to Washington ESD for weeks about my claim status and can never reach anyone! The phone system is impossible. If you need to talk to someone about your situation, I just discovered this service called Claimyr at claimyr.com that actually gets you through to ESD agents. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Saved me hours of calling.

WAIT - are you sure your employer can even terminate you after family leave?? That sounds like it might be illegal retaliation! You might want to talk to an employment lawyer before filing for unemployment.

One thing to be aware of - make sure you report your family leave benefits correctly when you file. Even though they shouldn't affect your UI eligibility, you want to be completely transparent about all income during your base period.

also make sure you start your job search right away! they require you to be actively looking for work and documenting it. don't wait until after you file to start applying places

This exact thing happened to my sister in 2023. She took family leave and came back to find her job eliminated. Washington ESD approved her claim without any issues. The key is that the termination happened after the protected leave ended, so it's clearly not related to taking the leave.

Man the timing on this is just brutal. Having a new baby and losing your job at the same time... I feel for you. At least unemployment should help bridge the gap while you find something new.

Quick tip - when you file online, there's a section where you can explain your specific circumstances. Make sure to clearly state that you were terminated due to company restructuring after your protected family leave ended. This will help the adjudicator understand your situation right away.

Been there with the Washington ESD phone nightmare. If you do need to speak with someone, that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier is legit. Used it last month when my claim was stuck in adjudication. Worth every penny to actually reach a human.

Just wanted to add - make sure you apply for unemployment ASAP because there's a waiting week before benefits start. Don't procrastinate on this!

One more thing - since you're coming off family leave, make sure your contact information is up to date with Washington ESD. Sometimes addresses or phone numbers change during leave and you don't want to miss important communications about your claim.

Your situation sounds pretty straightforward for approval. Family leave + involuntary termination due to restructuring = qualifying for UI benefits. The hardest part will probably be getting through to ESD if you need to talk to someone, but that Claimyr thing might help with that.