Can I get UI benefits after PFML ends if I'm still employed but medically unable to work?

Unfortunately, you probably won't qualify for unemployment in this situation. UI benefits require that you're able and available to work and actively seeking employment. Since you're medically unable to work (based on your doctor's assessment), you don't meet the basic eligibility requirements for unemployment. Your situation falls into what's sometimes called the "benefits gap" - too recovered for disability/PFML but not recovered enough to return to work. Have you looked into: 1. Extending your PFML? Sometimes with additional medical documentation you can get an extension. 2. Short-term disability insurance through your employer? 3. Using any remaining sick leave or PTO? 4. Talking with your doctor about a partial return-to-work plan with reduced hours?

This happened to me last year!! The ESD system is SO FRUSTRATING. I applied for UI anyway after my PFML ran out and got denied for exactly the reason the other person mentioned - you have to be "able and available" for work. I appealed it and still lost becuz my doctor's note said I couldn't work. Total waste of time. HAVE YOU APPLIED FOR STATE DISABILITY??? Thats different from unemployment and is made for people who cant work!!! Sorry for the caps but this is important!!

As others mentioned, the "able and available" requirement is going to be your biggest hurdle for UI. Here's what I would suggest: 1. Contact the PFML office directly about an extension. For 2025, you're entitled to up to 12 weeks of medical leave per year, or up to 16 weeks combined if you took both family and medical leave. In some cases, they can approve up to 18 weeks for pregnancy/childbirth complications. Make sure you've used all entitled weeks. 2. Ask your doctor about a "Work Assessment Form" that outlines any accommodations or part-time schedule you might be able to handle. Even if you can only work very limited hours, this might help you qualify for partial unemployment while working reduced hours. 3. Call ESD directly to explain your situation - sometimes there are exceptions or programs for special circumstances that aren't well-advertised on their website. BTW, if you're having trouble getting through to ESD (which is very common), I used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get connected to an actual agent without waiting on hold for hours. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3. It was really helpful in my situation when I needed clarification on my benefits.

just fyi i tried to do this exact thing in january and got denied unemployment. they said since i still had a job i wasnt unemployed and since i couldnt work i wasnt eligible anyway. double whammy lol. good luck tho maybe youll have better luck than me

The key issue is that unemployment insurance and medical leave programs are designed for completely different situations, and unfortunately there's this gap between them that people fall into. One thing to consider - have you asked your employer about an ADA accommodation for additional unpaid leave? Since you have a documented medical condition and a specific timeframe (6 weeks), your employer might be legally required to provide unpaid leave as a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act, even beyond what PFML covers. This wouldn't solve your income problem, but it would protect your job for those additional weeks. I'd also recommend reaching out to the Washington Law Help website or a similar resource - they sometimes offer free consultations for exactly these types of benefits questions.

i was in a similar situation in 2025 and my PFML case manager actually suggested applying for unemployment even though they knew I'd probably get denied. They said sometimes people get approved if they can prove they're able to do SOME type of work even if not their regular job. Like if you can't do physical labor but could do a desk job. It's worth trying! Worst they can say is no.

has anyone mentioned SSDI (Social Security Disability)? if your condition might last longer then you should apply now bc it takes FOREVER to get approved.

I went through something very similar about 6 months ago! Here's what I learned from my experience: 1. You're right that standard UI probably won't work due to the "able and available" requirement, but don't give up yet. 2. Definitely explore the PFML extension option that others mentioned. Even if you think you've maxed out, sometimes there are additional weeks available depending on your specific situation or if there are complications. 3. The Work Assessment Form suggestion is HUGE - I wish I had known about this earlier. My doctor was initially hesitant but when I explained it might help me qualify for partial benefits while doing limited work, they were more willing to explore what I could actually handle. 4. Look into your employer's Employee Assistance Program (EAP) if they have one. Mine helped connect me with resources I didn't know existed, including emergency financial assistance programs. 5. Consider reaching out to 211 (dial 2-1-1) - they have info on local emergency assistance programs, food banks, utility assistance, etc. that can help bridge the gap. The whole system really isn't designed for situations like ours, but there are sometimes workarounds. Don't be afraid to make multiple calls and ask different representatives - I got different answers from different people until I found someone who really understood my situation. Hang in there!

I'm dealing with almost the exact same situation right now! My PFML runs out next week and I still have about 4 weeks left before my doctor will clear me to return to work. Reading through everyone's responses has been really eye-opening - I had no idea about the Work Assessment Form or the possibility of PFML extensions. One thing I wanted to add that might help: I called my local DSHS office yesterday and they told me about something called the "Disaster Cash Assistance Program" that sometimes covers situations where people fall through the cracks between benefit programs. It's not guaranteed, but they said it's worth applying for if you're facing a true financial emergency due to circumstances beyond your control. Also, if you have any credit cards or loans, call them NOW to explain your situation. Many companies have hardship programs that can temporarily reduce or defer payments. I was amazed at how understanding they were when I explained I was between medical leave and return to work. This whole experience has really shown me how many gaps exist in our safety net. It shouldn't be this hard to survive when you're following all the rules and trying to recover properly. Sending you solidarity and hoping you find a solution!

I'm currently going through this exact situation and wanted to share what I've learned so far. After reading through all these responses, I called ESD yesterday and spoke with a really knowledgeable rep who explained a few things that might help: 1. There's actually a provision for "partial unemployment" if you can work limited hours due to medical restrictions. The key is having your doctor specify what you CAN do rather than just what you can't do. Even if it's just 10-15 hours per week of sedentary work, that might qualify you for partial benefits. 2. The rep mentioned something called "good cause" exceptions where they can waive the typical work search requirements if you have a definite return-to-work date with your current employer. This doesn't solve the "able and available" issue, but it's one less hurdle if you can get past that first one. 3. She also told me that if your employer laid you off instead of holding your position (which some do when PFML runs out), you'd definitely qualify for full unemployment. Obviously this isn't ideal since you'd lose your job, but it's worth knowing your options. I'm planning to have a honest conversation with my doctor about drafting a more specific work capacity assessment. Maybe we can find a middle ground that keeps the door open for some kind of benefits while I finish recovering. Will update if I learn anything else useful!

I'm going through this exact situation right now and it's been such a stressful process! My PFML ended two weeks ago and I'm still waiting to hear back on my unemployment application. One thing that's helped me while navigating this is documenting EVERYTHING - every phone call, every form submitted, every medical note. I created a simple spreadsheet with dates, who I spoke with, and what they told me. This has been invaluable when different reps give me conflicting information. Also, I wanted to mention that some community health centers offer financial counseling services for free. Mine helped me create a bare-bones budget for the gap period and connected me with a local nonprofit that helps with utility bills. It's not income replacement, but every little bit helps when you're trying to stretch whatever savings you have. The system really does seem designed to make you give up rather than get help. But reading everyone's experiences here gives me hope that there might be a path forward. Keep advocating for yourself - you deserve support during your recovery!