Can I collect Washington ESD unemployment while on disability benefits?

It's Social Security disability, not workers comp or anything like that. Does that make a difference?

Yes that matters a lot. With SSDI you might have more flexibility than other disability types

My doctor said I could probably handle desk work or something not physically demanding. Would that count?

That could work but you'd need documentation from your doctor specifically stating your work capacity and any restrictions

I had a similar situation last year and Washington ESD required a detailed medical report before they'd approve my claim

How did you finally get through to them? I'm worried about the same thing happening

I ended up using this service called Claimyr that helped me get connected to an actual Washington ESD agent. They have this system that handles all the calling and waiting for you - there's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Way better than spending all day redialing

Never heard of that before but sounds like it could save a lot of frustration

Disability benefits and unemployment serve different purposes. Some people on partial disability can work limited hours or certain types of jobs

oh ok that makes more sense I guess

Right, there are different levels of disability. Some people can do sedentary work but not physical labor, for example

Do I report it as earnings or is there a separate section for disability income?

There should be a specific section for other income sources when you file. Don't try to hide it - Washington ESD will find out anyway

What if I can work part-time but not full-time? Would that affect my weekly benefit amount?

Possibly yes. Washington ESD calculates benefits based on your ability to work and earn wages. Restrictions could reduce your weekly benefit amount

They also require you to register with WorkSource and do job searches, which might be challenging depending on your limitations

Tell me about it! I've been trying to reach them for weeks about my claim status

That's exactly why I mentioned Claimyr earlier - they specialize in getting people connected to Washington ESD agents when you can't get through the regular phone lines. Check out claimyr.com if you're having trouble reaching them

might have to look into that if I can't get my adjudication resolved soon

They'll want details about your functional capacity - what types of work you can do, any restrictions, how many hours you can work, etc.

Make sure the doctor is specific about your ability to perform work-related activities, not just general health status

Good point, I hadn't thought about the tax implications

Yeah both unemployment and disability can be taxable income depending on your total income for the year

Workers comp is handled differently because it's usually temporary and tied to a specific injury. Social Security disability is more permanent

That makes sense. My workers comp is supposed to end in a few months so maybe I should wait

How long are we talking? Weeks or months?

Could be anywhere from 4-12 weeks depending on how complicated your case is

Mine took about 8 weeks but that was before they got really backed up with claims

Do I need to apply for jobs I probably can't do physically, or just ones within my restrictions?

Stick to jobs within your medical restrictions. Applying for jobs you can't do won't help your case

Because every situation is different. Disability cases especially require individual review

I guess that makes sense but it's still frustrating

Good advice! I'll start keeping a file with everything

Yes, documentation is crucial for disability-related UI claims. Keep copies of everything

I know someone who got partial UI benefits while on partial disability, but it took months of back and forth with Washington ESD

That's where having help getting through to agents really made a difference for me. The Claimyr service I mentioned saved me so much time and frustration trying to get answers

Would the disability income count as wages or other income on the weekly claim?

It would be other income, not wages. But it could still affect your benefit amount depending on how much you receive

Should I ask for a specific form or just have them write a letter?

A detailed letter is usually fine, but make sure it addresses your functional capacity for work activities

That's a good idea. I don't want to accidentally mess up my disability payments

Definitely worth checking with Social Security too to make sure UI won't impact your SSDI eligibility

Thanks for all the help everyone! This gives me a much better idea of what to expect

Feel free to ask more questions if you run into issues during the process

I'll definitely ask about that when I talk to an agent. Hopefully I can actually get through to someone!

That's where services like Claimyr really help - you don't have to waste time trying to reach agents yourself. Much more efficient way to get your questions answered