Can I get Washington ESD unemployment benefits for pregnancy leave?

That's so frustrating! So there's literally nothing available for pregnant women who can't work?

You might qualify for Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) through Washington State, but that's a different program from unemployment. Look into that instead.

You're thinking of the Paid Family and Medical Leave program. It's separate from Washington ESD unemployment benefits and specifically covers pregnancy and bonding time.

Yes that's it! She said the application process was way easier than she expected.

How much does that Claimyr service cost? I'm already stressed about money.

They don't require any personal info upfront and it was worth it to actually talk to someone who could give me accurate information instead of guessing.

I've heard good things about Claimyr from other people who couldn't get through the regular Washington ESD phone lines.

I understand the frustration, but unemployment insurance is specifically for people who lose their jobs through no fault of their own AND are actively seeking new employment. Pregnancy leave is a different category.

Well the system is broken then. What are we supposed to do, just go broke?

That's exactly why Washington created the PFML program - to fill this gap. It's designed specifically for situations like yours.

Do I need to have worked a certain amount of time to qualify for PFML?

Yes, you need to have worked at least 820 hours in the qualifying period. Since you said you've been working full-time for 3 years, you should definitely meet that requirement.

How long did it take to get approved and start receiving payments?

took about 3 weeks for approval and then payments started the following week. way faster than I expected

Did the denial affect your ability to apply for PFML later?

No, they're completely separate programs so the UI denial didn't matter for PFML.

Good point - it's important to apply for the right program from the start to avoid delays.

No, you can't collect both simultaneously. You have to choose one or the other.

And in most pregnancy situations, PFML is going to be the appropriate choice since you're not actively job searching.

I've been trying to call Washington ESD but keep getting disconnected. So frustrating!

That's exactly why I used Claimyr - saved me hours of frustration trying to get through on my own.

Yeah, their phone system is notorious for being overloaded. If you can't get through, definitely look into that service or try calling first thing in the morning.

That would be pregnancy discrimination and illegal under federal law. If that happened, she'd have grounds for a lawsuit, not just unemployment benefits.

True, but people still get fired illegally all the time. In that case, would she qualify for UI benefits?

If she was terminated illegally, she could potentially qualify for unemployment while also pursuing legal action, but she'd still need to be able and available for work to maintain eligibility.

That's also illegal discrimination, but proving it is nearly impossible. And she'd still need to be actively job searching and able to start work immediately if offered a position.

I'm not job searching right now because my doctor specifically said bed rest. So I definitely can't claim I'm available for work.

The only way would be if you lost your job for reasons unrelated to pregnancy AND you're still able and available for work. Being on bed rest would disqualify you.

I knew someone who got it early in pregnancy before she had any work restrictions, but she lost her job due to company layoffs, not pregnancy-related issues.

Some people need to hear all the details to understand why, not just a simple yes or no answer.

Yeah, I appreciate everyone explaining the reasoning behind the rules.

Did they help you with the PFML application too or just explain the difference?

They only handle Washington ESD stuff, but knowing for sure that I didn't qualify for UI saved me from wasting time on the wrong application.

No, PFML doesn't require you to exhaust other leave first, but you can't collect PFML and use paid sick leave simultaneously.

Good to know, thanks! That makes it much more practical.

What kind of documentation do they typically need from doctors?

Usually just a form confirming your inability to work and the expected duration. Your doctor's office should be familiar with the PFML paperwork.

Thanks everyone! I feel much more confident about applying for PFML now instead of wasting time with unemployment.

Glad we could help clarify the difference. Good luck with your application and congratulations on the baby!