Can I get Washington ESD unemployment if I am medically unable to work?

That's what I was afraid of. Are there any exceptions to this rule? Like if the medical condition was caused by work or something?

If it's work-related, you'd want to file for workers' compensation instead of unemployment. That's handled through the Department of Labor & Industries, not Washington ESD.

Did you find any other options for income support during your recovery period?

I had to apply for state disability benefits and also looked into SNAP food assistance. It's a tough situation but there are some safety nets available.

Good luck getting through to anyone at Washington ESD on the phone though. I've been trying for weeks about my own claim issues.

Have you tried using Claimyr? I found out about it recently and it actually helped me get through to a Washington ESD agent. They have this system that calls repeatedly until someone picks up. Check out claimyr.com - they even have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works.

It's a service that helps you actually reach Washington ESD by phone. Basically they keep calling until they get through the busy signals and connect you with an agent. Saved me hours of frustration.

Interesting, might have to check that out for my own situation

It does seem unfair, but the program is designed for people who are temporarily out of work and actively looking for new employment. Medical disability is handled through different programs.

Makes sense I guess, just wish there was better coordination between these different programs

That's true, maybe I should at least try filing and see what happens. Do you know if getting denied affects your ability to file later when you're able to work again?

No, getting denied now wouldn't prevent you from filing a new claim later when you're medically cleared to work. Each claim is evaluated separately.

Tell me about it. My claim went into adjudication for no apparent reason and took forever to resolve.

exactly! and trying to get someone on the phone is impossible

Good to know there's actually a way to reach them. I'll definitely keep that in mind if I run into issues.

How much does something like that cost? Seems too good to be true

It was totally worth it for me, saved me so much time and frustration. The main thing is it actually works when you need to talk to someone at Washington ESD.

That's a great point, I'll check my employee handbook and benefits information. I honestly don't remember what all I signed up for when I started.

Definitely worth checking. Sometimes employers automatically enroll you in basic coverage.

I hadn't thought about DSHS programs. Do you know if applying for those affects your ability to get unemployment later?

No, they're completely separate programs. Getting help from DSHS now won't impact a future unemployment claim when you're able to work again.

My condition isn't work-related, it's just something that developed on its own. But good to know about the workers comp option for others who might be reading this.

Workers comp is its own nightmare to deal with, trust me on that one

Sorry to hear you're dealing with this too. It's definitely stressful when you're trying to recover but also worried about money. Hope your recovery goes well.

Thanks, same to you. Let me know if you find any good resources or programs that help.

That's an interesting point. My doctor did say I could potentially do some light office work, just not the physical demands of my regular job. Maybe I should ask Washington ESD about that specifically.

Exactly! The key is whether you can perform some type of suitable work, not necessarily your exact previous job.

Yeah, I think that's probably the best advice. I just need to actually get through to someone on the phone.

That's where something like Claimyr comes in handy. I used it last month when I needed to talk to Washington ESD about my adjudication issue and it saved me so much time.

I keep hearing about this service, sounds like it might be worth trying if I can't get through the normal way.

That's reassuring to know. I was worried that not qualifying now might somehow affect me later when I'm healthy again.

Nope, each claim is evaluated on its own merits. Your future ability to get unemployment is based on your work history and current situation at that time.

That's really helpful information about the Paid Family and Medical Leave program - I hadn't heard of that one before! Getting a detailed letter from my doctor is a great idea too. Since my doctor did mention I might be able to do some light desk work, maybe that could make a difference with the "able and available" requirement. Did you end up qualifying for the Paid Family and Medical Leave benefits, and if so, how was the application process?

I'm still in the middle of the Paid Family and Medical Leave application process, but so far it seems more straightforward than regular unemployment. You do need medical documentation, but they seem more understanding of temporary medical situations. The key difference is that this program is specifically designed for people who can't work due to medical reasons, unlike regular UI which requires you to be actively job searching. Definitely worth looking into - you can find the application on the ESD website under the PFML section. Just make sure you apply as soon as possible since there can be waiting periods.