Can I get ESD unemployment after using up all my Paid Family Leave?

dont worry too much, PFL and unemployment r completely different programs even tho they both come from esd. as long as u worked enough hours in ur base year and r being laid off (not quitting or fired for misconduct) u should qualify. the fact u were on pfl shouldnt matter

The previous commenter is correct that Paid Family Leave and Unemployment Insurance are separate programs, but there's a bit more to understand about how they interact. Your UI eligibility is based on your "base year" - typically the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you file your claim. You need at least 680 hours of work in that period. The good news is that hours you worked before taking PFL absolutely count toward your UI eligibility. Additionally, if you received Paid Family Leave benefits, those weeks you were on PFL can actually count as "hours worked" for UI eligibility purposes. So in your situation, with 3 years at the company before PFL and now facing a layoff (not quitting or being fired for misconduct), you should definitely qualify for unemployment benefits.

I went through something similar last year and had no problems getting unemployment after using paid family leave! The thing is that PFL is through the Paid Leave program and unemployment is through the UI program - they're separate even though both are handled by ESD. As long as you're not being fired for misconduct you should be fine. Good luck with the new baby!!

I had a NIGHTMARE trying to deal with ESD after my maternity leave last year. They kept saying I hadn't worked enough hours in my base year because they weren't counting my time properly!!! I would recommend calling ESD directly to make sure everything is on track BEFORE you file your claim. Good luck getting through though - I spent WEEKS trying to talk to someone. I finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to an ESD agent in under 2 hours when I'd been trying for days on my own. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 Totally worth it because the agent was able to fix my claim and I started getting payments right away instead of waiting in limbo.

@profile8 Yes it's legitimate! They basically use technology to continuously redial ESD for you until they get through, then they call you and connect you with the ESD agent. I was skeptical too but it actually worked when I'd been trying to get through for over a week on my own.

JUST BE CAREFUL about the timing when you apply! Don't apply for unemployment until AFTER your last day of work or they can deny your claim. I made that mistake and had to appeal which was a huge headache. Also make sure you have all your employment info from the past 18 months ready when you apply. And remember you HAVE to do the job search requirements every week - 3 job search activities weekly - or they'll deny benefits even if you were initially approved!

I'm an HR professional who handles layoffs, and I can confirm that Paid Family Leave and Unemployment Insurance are entirely separate benefit systems, even though both are administered by ESD. One important thing to understand: when you file for unemployment, ESD will contact your employer to verify the reason for separation. Make sure the layoff is documented properly to avoid any delays. Also, be prepared that your first unemployment payment may take 2-3 weeks to process after you file, so plan your finances accordingly. Your benefit amount will be based on your highest-earning quarters during your base year (which should include your pre-PFL employment). Best of luck with your job search.

sorry about ur layoff but congrats on the baby! my sister just had one too! one thing nobody mentioned - make sure ur resume is updated ASAP cuz the job search requirements start right away! u have to do 3 activities every week and keep a log. if u dont they can deny ur benefits even if u were approved!

Quick update on the job search requirements that were mentioned: While you do need to complete 3 job search activities per week, know that these activities can include more than just applying for jobs. They can also include: - Attending job fairs - Creating profiles on employment websites - Meeting with career counselors - Taking skills assessments or training courses - Networking events Also, WorkSource Washington offers free resources to help with your job search and they count toward your required activities. Regarding childcare: Washington has childcare subsidies available for job seekers. You can check eligibility through the Department of Children, Youth, and Families website.