Can I get disability and unemployment at the same time in Washington ESD?

That's what I was afraid of. So if I apply for disability, do I need to stop filing my weekly claims immediately?

You should contact Washington ESD directly to discuss your specific situation. There might be some overlap period while your disability claim is being processed, but you'll need official guidance on this.

Did you have to pay back any unemployment benefits when you got approved for disability?

No, because I was upfront about the timeline and stopped claiming UI benefits as soon as I knew I couldn't meet the work requirements. Honesty is key here.

I just discovered this service called Claimyr that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. It basically handles the calling and waiting for you.

That sounds too good to be true. How does it actually work?

You give them your contact info and they call Washington ESD for you, wait on hold, then connect you when they get an agent. I used it last month and actually got through to someone in about 45 minutes instead of trying for days.

There are different types of disability benefits. Some are temporary, some are permanent, and some allow for limited work activity. That's why it's important to understand the specific requirements of each program.

exactly, and Washington ESD has specific rules about what counts as 'able and available' for work. If your disability prevents you from doing your usual job but you could do other work, that's a different situation.

No, they're completely different. Workers compensation is for injuries that happened at work, while disability benefits can be for any qualifying condition. Both can affect your unemployment eligibility though.

Thanks for clarifying. I was worried I might be dealing with multiple issues at once.

This is exactly what I'm worried about. I don't want to end up owing thousands of dollars.

That's why getting official guidance is so important. Don't just guess about the rules - get it in writing from Washington ESD.

I'm not sure yet. My doctor mentioned Social Security Disability but I haven't started the application process. The back injury makes it hard to do physical work.

Social Security Disability has a very strict definition of disability that might be different from what Washington ESD considers when evaluating work capability. Definitely get professional advice on this.

That's helpful to know. How long do these transitional periods typically last?

It varies depending on the type of disability claim and how quickly it's processed. Social Security Disability claims can take months or even years to be approved, while state disability programs might be faster.

How do you report work limitations on the weekly claim? I don't remember seeing that option.

There are questions about being able and available for work. If your condition affects your ability to work, you need to answer those honestly and potentially provide documentation.

Mental health conditions can qualify for disability benefits if they significantly impact your ability to work. The evaluation process is similar to physical disabilities.

Yes, but the key is whether your condition prevents you from working. If you're actively job searching and able to work, that's different from being unable to work due to your condition.

Don't stop filing unless you're actually unable to work. Having a medical condition doesn't automatically disqualify you from unemployment benefits.

That makes sense. I guess I'll keep filing until I know more about my diagnosis.

How much did it cost? I'm willing to pay if it means I can actually talk to someone.

I don't want to discuss specific pricing here, but it was worth it for me to get clarity on my situation. Check their website for current information.

Should I get legal advice before applying for disability while on unemployment?

It's not always necessary, but if you're concerned about potential overpayments or rule violations, a consultation might give you peace of mind.

That's terrifying. How did she end up in that situation?

She thought she could receive both since one was federal and one was state. But the 'able and available' requirement for unemployment conflicted with her disability claim.

Good advice. I'll start keeping better records of everything.

Also, if you do transition from unemployment to disability, keep records of when you stopped job searching and why. That timeline will be important.

I think you're right. I need to stop trying to figure this out on my own and get official guidance.

That's where Claimyr could help you get through to someone at Washington ESD who can give you specific guidance about your situation.

That's the smart approach. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

Feel free to reach out if you need help understanding any of the information they give you. These rules can be complex.

I really appreciate everyone's input. This has been incredibly helpful in understanding what I need to do next.