Can I pause my ESD unemployment claim during surgery recovery and switch to temporary disability?

Yes, you can temporarily pause your UI claim while you recover from surgery. This is what you need to do: 1. Stop filing weekly claims during your recovery period 2. When you're able to work again, reopen your claim online through your eServices account 3. For the time you're unable to work, look into applying for Paid Family & Medical Leave (PFML) through the WA state PFML program at paidleave.wa.gov Just make sure you don't file any weekly UI claims while you're not able and available for work - that would be considered misrepresentation and could result in an overpayment.

I was in almost the exact same situation last yr. Had to get my knee replaced and couldn't work for 2 months. I just stopped filing my weekly claims and applied for the paid medical leave. BUT make sure u have enough work hours to qualify for PFML!!! U need like 820 hrs in the past year or something. they look at different quarters than ESD does for qualification. I almost didn't qualify bc most of my work was too far back.

When I needed to take time off for a medical procedure last year, I had the WORST time trying to get through to ESD to ask these exact questions. I spent hours on hold and kept getting disconnected. I finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get connected to an actual ESD agent who confirmed that yes, you should stop filing claims during recovery and then reopen when you're able to work again. Their video demo shows how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3. Saved me so much frustration and I got clear answers about my situation.

There's some important technical details you need to understand here: 1. Unemployment and PFML are completely separate programs with different eligibility requirements 2. For PFML, you need 820 hours worked in the qualifying period (either first 4 of last 5 completed calendar quarters OR last 4 completed calendar quarters) 3. When you stop claiming UI, your claim remains open for 52 weeks from the application date - you don't lose it 4. When you're ready to resume UI after recovery, you'll use the "Reopen Claim" option in eServices 5. If you receive PFML benefits, you MUST report this when you restart UI claims Also, if you've been on UI for 4 months already as you mentioned, verify your remaining benefit balance before making decisions.

idk about all these technical details everyone's posting, but I had surgery last summer and just stopped doing my weekly claims. when i was better i called esd and they reopened everything no problem. didnt get any money while i was recovering tho, wish i'd known about that medical leave thing!

Thanks everyone for the helpful advice! I've decided to: 1. Stop filing UI claims during my recovery 2. Apply for PFML (already checked and I have enough hours) 3. Use Claimyr to reach ESD before my surgery to confirm everything 4. Reopen my UI claim once I'm cleared to work Really appreciate all the guidance - this community is amazing!