Can I collect Washington ESD unemployment after workers' comp settlement?

That's a relief to hear. Do you know if there's a waiting period or anything like that?

No specific waiting period for workers' comp settlements, but Washington ESD will review your case to make sure you meet all the eligibility requirements. The key is proving you're able and available for suitable work.

How long did it take for your claim to get approved? I'm worried about delays.

Mine took about 3 weeks, but I think that was pretty typical. They had to verify some stuff with L&I I think.

Good point. I do have some lifting restrictions still, but my doctor says I can do most office work or light duty jobs.

That should be fine. Washington ESD looks at whether you can do 'suitable work' which includes jobs that match your restrictions. Just be upfront about your limitations when you register for work search.

I need to check my settlement papers more carefully. Most of it was for medical bills and the injury itself, but there might have been some wage loss included.

Definitely review those documents. If you're not sure how to interpret the settlement breakdown, you might want to ask your workers' comp attorney to clarify what each portion covers.

I had the same problem trying to reach them. What finally worked for me was using a service called Claimyr that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents. You can check it out at claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

Never heard of that before. Does it actually work? I'm desperate at this point.

It worked for me. Saved me hours of calling and getting nowhere. The service connects you directly with an actual Washington ESD agent so you can get your questions answered.

Oh right, I forgot about that part. How many job contacts do I need to make each week?

It's usually 3 job search activities per week, but check the current requirements when you file your claim. Things like applying for jobs, attending job fairs, or networking events all count.

What kind of extra scrutiny? Should I be worried about anything specific?

just means they might take longer to process your claim and ask for more documentation. nothing to worry about if you're being honest about everything

No, there's no automatic waiting period after a workers' comp settlement. You can file for unemployment as soon as you're able and available for work. You might be thinking of disability benefits or something else.

Oh okay, thanks for clarifying. I must have been thinking of something else.

Good point. I was thinking about waiting a few more weeks to make sure I'm completely ready to work, but I guess I should file now.

Yeah, you can always start looking for work while your claim is being processed. Just make sure you meet the able and available requirements when you start certifying for benefits.

Absolutely, I plan to be completely honest about everything. Better to deal with any issues upfront than have problems later.

Exactly. Washington ESD deals with these situations all the time, so they know what to look for. Being honest from the start makes the whole process smoother.

Two months seems like a long time. Did he eventually get backpay for those weeks?

Yeah, once his claim was approved he got all the back benefits. The wait was frustrating but it all worked out in the end.

I get the frustration but the system has to have some checks in place. There are people who try to abuse benefits, so they have to verify everything.

Maybe, but it feels like they make it harder for honest people than for the cheaters sometimes.

No, there wasn't any vocational rehab included in my settlement. It was pretty straightforward - just compensation for the injury and medical expenses.

That should make things simpler then. Vocational rehab can sometimes complicate UI claims because of the training requirements and such.

Someone else mentioned Claimyr earlier. Did you actually talk to a real Washington ESD person?

Yes, it connected me directly to an actual Washington ESD agent who was able to answer all my questions about my workers' comp settlement and UI eligibility. Worth every penny to avoid the phone runaround.

Good advice. I have everything in a folder already but I should probably make copies of the important stuff.

Yeah, having digital copies saved somewhere is smart too. Makes it easier to upload documents if they need them electronically.

I hadn't thought about that. I probably can't do heavy warehouse work anymore, so I'm looking at office jobs or lighter work.

Your benefit amount should still be based on your previous warehouse wages, but you'll need to show you're actively looking for suitable work within your restrictions. Washington ESD has guidelines about what's considered suitable work.

Thanks, that's reassuring. I was worried it would be some huge complicated thing.

It's really not as complicated as it seems at first. The key is just being thorough and honest with your application and any follow-up questions they have.

A month doesn't sound too bad. Did they ask for specific documents or just general information?

They wanted a copy of my settlement agreement and a letter from my doctor about my work restrictions. Pretty standard stuff. Once I provided that, everything moved along smoothly.

That's the third mention of Claimyr in this thread. Seems like it really works for people.

It definitely works. I was skeptical at first but after spending weeks trying to get through on my own, it was worth it to actually talk to someone who could give me real answers about my situation.