Can I collect Washington ESD unemployment if I'm taking care of a family member?

What counts as good cause? I literally had no choice - there's no one else who can care for him and I couldn't afford to hire someone.

Good cause usually means you had compelling personal or family reasons that any reasonable person would consider necessary. Your situation might qualify but you'll need to document everything when you file.

I have all his hospital records and the discharge papers that say he needs 24/7 supervision. Would that be enough documentation?

That's a good start. Also get a letter from his doctor stating the level of care needed and that family assistance is medically necessary.

How long did your adjudication take? I'm worried about how I'm going to pay bills while waiting for a decision.

Mine took about 5 weeks total, but once I was able to talk to an ESD agent through Claimyr, they expedited the review. Worth trying if you get stuck in the system.

Never heard of Claimyr before but anything that helps get through to ESD sounds useful. The phone lines are always busy.

Do I need to provide proof that I looked into other care options first?

It would strengthen your case to show you explored alternatives. Get quotes from care facilities or home health services to demonstrate the financial impossibility.

Oh no, what happened during the appeal? Did she eventually get benefits?

yeah she finally got approved but it was a long process. she had to get letters from doctors and prove there was no other family who could help

There's a big difference between quitting because you don't feel like working and quitting due to compelling circumstances beyond your control. Family medical emergencies fall into the second category.

Ok that makes sense. So it's not just automatic approval though, they investigate each case?

Exactly. Washington ESD reviews each voluntary quit case individually to determine if there was good cause. It's not automatic and requires substantial documentation.

I only worked at my job for 8 months so I don't think FMLA would have applied anyway. But I'll look into assistance programs for him.

You're right, FMLA requires 12 months of employment. But documenting that you weren't eligible for job protection might actually help your unemployment case by showing you had no alternatives.

Should I mention that I'm still available to work if I can find something with flexible hours or remote options?

Definitely mention that. You need to show you're still able and available for work even while providing care. That's a key requirement for UI benefits.

That's a good point. I could probably do remote work or something with very flexible scheduling. My dad sleeps a lot during the day.

Just be realistic about what you can commit to. If ESD approves your claim but then you can't meet the work search requirements, that could cause problems later.

That's discouraging but I appreciate the honesty. I'll make sure to keep records of everything.

It's not always a fight. I've seen caregiver cases approved on the first review when the documentation is thorough and the medical need is clear.

I hadn't thought of that. Are those services usually covered by Medicare or would I have to pay out of pocket?

Some respite care is covered by Medicare or Medicaid depending on your dad's situation. Contact your local Area Agency on Aging - they can help navigate what's available.

I didn't know there were time limits! How long do I have?

You generally need to file within a reasonable time after becoming unemployed. Three weeks isn't too long but don't wait much longer. You can always submit additional documentation after filing.

I agree completely. It feels like you're being punished for doing the right thing and taking care of family.

The system has improved somewhat over the years but there's definitely room for better support of family caregivers. Focus on working within the current rules for now.

Thanks for mentioning it again. I'll definitely keep that in mind if I run into issues getting through to ESD.

How much does something like that cost? Seems like it might be worth it to avoid the phone hassle.

I don't want to get into specific pricing here, but for me the time saved was worth it. You can check their site for current info.

Good point. I should probably write out a timeline before I start the application so I don't forget any important details.

Exactly. Include things like conversations with doctors, attempts to arrange other care, discussions with your employer about leave options. Show that quitting was truly the last resort.

I did ask about FMLA but they said I hadn't been there long enough. I should definitely include that in my application.

Yes, document any attempts to work with your employer on alternatives. It shows you explored all options before quitting.

That's something I need to figure out. Maybe evening or weekend work, or something I can do from home during his nap times.

Remote work is definitely becoming more common. Just make sure whatever you apply for is realistic given your situation. ESD will expect you to take suitable work if offered.

Thank you so much for all the support and advice everyone. I'll definitely post an update once I hear back from Washington ESD.

Good luck with everything. Your dad is lucky to have someone who cares so much. I hope ESD recognizes that you made the right choice in a difficult situation.

How long do appeals usually take? I'm hoping it doesn't come to that but want to know what to expect.

Appeals can take several months unfortunately. That's why it's so important to make your initial application as complete and detailed as possible.

That's a great idea. I hadn't thought about caregiver support groups but I bet they've dealt with similar situations.

The Area Agency on Aging I mentioned earlier can probably connect you with caregiver resources too. They understand the whole picture of what families are dealing with.

You all have been incredibly helpful. I feel much more prepared to tackle this process now. Thank you!

This is incredibly helpful advice, especially coming from someone in social services. I hadn't thought about getting written documentation from my employer about our discussions. I do have some text messages where I told my supervisor about the situation and asked about taking leave, but they said it wasn't possible given my short tenure. I'll also ask dad's neurologist for a specific letter about why family care is important for his recovery - you're right that the emotional continuity aspect is something only family can provide. Thank you for the reassurance that I'm doing the right thing. Some days it feels overwhelming trying to navigate all this while just trying to take care of him.

Thank you so much for sharing your experience, Nathan. It's really encouraging to hear from someone who went through the same thing and got approved. Six weeks feels like forever when you're worried about bills, but knowing it's possible makes it worth pursuing. I'm definitely going to follow your advice about getting quotes from care facilities - that's such a smart way to document that family care wasn't just the preferred option, but really the only viable one. I hadn't thought about applying for Medicare/Medicaid benefits yet since we're still adjusting to everything, but you're absolutely right that those processes take time. Can I ask - during those 6 weeks while your claim was being reviewed, were you able to do anything to speed up the process, or did you just have to wait it out? The detailed care records idea is great too - I should start keeping a daily log of his needs and what I'm helping with.