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

Yes, you can receive both in Washington state! The key is that you have to be able and available for work to qualify for unemployment. Since your doctor cleared you for certain types of work, you should be fine. SSDI doesn't automatically disqualify you from UI benefits - they're administered by different agencies (Social Security vs Washington ESD).

I was in the exact same situation last year. The tricky part is proving you're available for work while on disability. You'll need documentation from your doctor about what work you CAN do, not just what you can't do. Make sure you register with WorkSource and actively job search for positions within your restrictions.

Be prepared for a longer adjudication process. Washington ESD will need to verify that you're genuinely able to work despite receiving disability. I'd recommend getting a detailed letter from your doctor outlining your work capabilities and any accommodations you might need. Also, when you do your job search activities, focus on positions that match your restrictions.

This is such a confusing area. I've been trying to get through to Washington ESD for weeks to ask about this exact situation but their phone lines are always busy. Has anyone found a way to actually talk to someone there?

wait i thought you couldnt get unemployment if you were disabled? this doesnt make sense to me

The system is so backwards. How can someone be disabled enough for SSDI but available for work for unemployment? It's like the government doesn't even coordinate between agencies.

Make sure you're completely honest on your UI application about your limitations. Washington ESD will cross-reference with other agencies if they need to. Better to be upfront about everything from the start.

I went through this process two years ago and the biggest challenge was the job search requirement. You have to apply for jobs you can actually do, not just any jobs. Keep detailed records of your applications and any responses about accommodations.

The timing matters too. If you're in the process of applying for disability, that can complicate your UI claim because you might be arguing different things to different agencies. Since you're already approved for SSDI, you're in a better position.

whatever you do dont lie about anything. washington esd will find out and then youll have overpayment issues on top of everything else

One more tip - when you file your weekly claims, be specific about your work search activities. Don't just put 'applied online' - include the job title, company, and date. Washington ESD appreciates detailed records.

Good luck with your claim! The process can be frustrating but it sounds like you're approaching it the right way by getting all your documentation together upfront.

Just wanted to add that if you do run into issues during adjudication, don't give up. Sometimes it takes multiple attempts to get Washington ESD to understand your specific situation. Document everything and be persistent.

Has everyone forgotten about the work search requirement? You need to apply to 3 jobs per week minimum. Make sure those jobs are ones you can actually perform given your restrictions.

I'm curious how this affects the benefit calculation. Does the SSDI income reduce your weekly unemployment amount?

This thread has been super helpful. I'm in a similar situation with workers comp and wasn't sure if I could apply for UI while that case is pending.

The key thing everyone's mentioned is documentation. Get everything in writing from your doctors about what you can and can't do workwise.

For anyone still struggling to reach Washington ESD by phone, I can't recommend Claimyr enough. I used it twice last month when I had questions about my claim status and got through both times within minutes instead of hours of busy signals.

Thanks for sharing all this info. It's encouraging to know that receiving both benefits is possible with the right documentation and approach.

One last thought - make sure you understand Washington ESD's appeal process in case your initial claim gets denied. It's better to know the steps ahead of time than scramble if you need them.