Can you apply for unemployment and disability at the same time Washington ESD?

This is actually a really common question. You can technically apply for both unemployment and disability, but there are some important things to understand. For Washington ESD unemployment, you have to certify that you're able and available to work each week. For disability, you're essentially saying you can't work. These two positions can conflict with each other.

I went through something similar last year. The key is being truthful about your current ability to work. If you can work today, apply for unemployment. If your condition gets worse and you truly can't work anymore, then you'd need to stop claiming UI benefits and pursue disability instead.

Here's what I learned when I had to deal with Washington ESD about a similar issue - if you're currently able to work but have an injury that MIGHT prevent you from working in the future, you can file for UI now. The weekly certification asks about your current ability to work, not future possibilities. However, the moment you become unable to work due to your injury, you need to stop filing weekly claims.

I'm dealing with this exact situation right now! I've been on unemployment for 6 weeks and just found out I need shoulder surgery that will put me out for 3 months. I've been trying to call Washington ESD for two weeks to ask about my options but can never get through. The wait times are insane and I keep getting disconnected after holding for hours.

Another important point - if you do need to transition from unemployment to disability, make sure you understand the timeline. Disability benefits often have waiting periods and different application processes. You don't want to have a gap in income if you can avoid it.

ugh the whole system is so confusing!! why cant they just make it simple if you need help you get help instead of all these hoops to jump through. i had to quit my job because of anxiety and depression and took me months to figure out what i was eligible for

One thing to keep in mind - if you're approved for both unemployment and disability benefits for overlapping time periods, you'll likely have to pay back one of them. The systems do talk to each other eventually, and they'll catch duplicate benefits.

I work in HR and see this situation a lot. The best advice I can give is to document everything. Keep records of your medical appointments, work restrictions from your doctor, and all communications with Washington ESD. If questions come up later, you'll have proof of your good faith efforts to follow the rules.

Update on my situation - I finally got through to Washington ESD yesterday using that Claimyr service someone mentioned. The agent was really helpful and explained that I need to stop filing weekly claims the day before my surgery, then I can apply for disability after my doctor provides documentation that I'm unable to work. Much clearer now!

Be careful with the work search requirements too. If you're claiming you're able to work for UI purposes, you need to actually be applying for jobs you could realistically accept. Don't just go through the motions if you know you might not be able to start a job.

my brother had this exact same thing happen with a knee injury from construction work. he got unemployment first then when he had surgery he switched to disability. took some coordinating but worked out fine. just dont try to double dip

Final thoughts for the OP - your situation is not uncommon, and Washington ESD agents are used to helping people navigate these transitions. The key principles are: be honest about your current work capacity, report any changes promptly, and don't hesitate to contact them when your situation changes. You're not doing anything wrong by having both potential needs.

Just wanted to add that if anyone else is struggling to get through to Washington ESD about questions like this, I also used Claimyr recently and it was a game changer. I had been trying to reach them for weeks about an adjudication issue and couldn't get through. Worth checking out their site if you're stuck.

This whole thread is super helpful. I'm bookmarking it in case I run into similar issues. The advice about documentation and being upfront with Washington ESD seems like the way to go.

One more thing - make sure you understand the difference between state disability insurance and federal SSDI. They have different rules and requirements. State disability is usually shorter term while SSDI is for long-term or permanent disabilities.

thanks for asking this question OP, i was wondering the same thing but was too nervous to post about it. feels good to know im not the only one dealing with this kind of situation