Can you collect Washington ESD unemployment while on short term disability benefits?

That makes sense but it's frustrating. So basically I'm stuck with just the 60% from disability until I'm cleared to return to work?

Correct. The 'able and available' requirement is strictly enforced by Washington ESD. However, once your doctor clears you to return to work and your employer doesn't have a position available, then you could potentially file for unemployment.

You're thinking of partial disability situations, but those are really rare exceptions. Most STD cases involve complete inability to work temporarily.

Good luck trying to reach someone at Washington ESD though - I've been trying to get through for weeks about my own claim issue.

Never heard of that service before. Did they charge you a lot to make the call?

It was worth it for me to get a clear answer instead of spending hours on hold. They handle the calling and connect you directly to Washington ESD agents.

Interesting, I might try that too since I can never get through the regular phone lines.

I understand the frustration, but the logic is that unemployment insurance is specifically for people who are unemployed through no fault of their own AND able to work. If you're unable to work due to disability, you're not technically unemployed in the way the system defines it.

Still seems unfair when disability barely covers basic expenses.

That's a complex situation that depends on why you were terminated and whether you're still considered unable to work. If you're cleared by your doctor to return to work but your job is no longer available, you might qualify for UI benefits.

This happened to my sister - she had to wait until her doctor released her to work before she could file for unemployment, even though she was terminated while on disability.

You need to be medically cleared to work before you can file for unemployment. Filing while still on disability could cause issues with both your STD payments and any future UI claim.

Ugh this is so stressful. I just want to know what my options are.

That's exactly why I used Claimyr to get through to Washington ESD - I needed clear answers about my specific situation instead of guessing from online forums.

The same rules apply regardless of whether it's physical or mental health disability. If you're receiving STD payments, Washington ESD will generally consider you unable to work.

Mental health STD is tricky because you might feel capable some days but not others. Definitely talk to Washington ESD about your specific situation.

I feel this so hard. Been there myself and it's incredibly stressful.

Right? Like we're supposed to just survive on 60% of our income while recovering from injuries or illness.

No, you still need to be able and available for work to qualify for unemployment benefits. If your STD runs out but you're still medically unable to work, you won't qualify for UI either.

So what are people supposed to do in that gap period? That's terrifying.

That's when people end up applying for state disability or other social services unfortunately.

Standby status is different - that's for temporary layoffs where you expect to return to the same job. It doesn't apply when you're unable to work due to disability.

Ah ok thanks for clarifying. These rules are so complicated!

Appeals are usually unsuccessful in these cases because the 'able and available' requirement is pretty black and white. If you're getting disability payments, you're by definition not available for work.

I tried to appeal something similar last year and got denied. The hearing officer was very clear that you can't collect both.

If you're medically cleared to work but your employer can't provide work, you might qualify for unemployment benefits at that point. Document everything with your doctor and employer.

Thanks, I'll make sure to keep all my paperwork organized just in case.

You need medical clearance to return to work before you can file for unemployment. There shouldn't be any gap if you're cleared to work but your job isn't available.

Make sure you file for unemployment as soon as you're cleared to work - benefits are calculated from when you file, not when you became unemployed.

This is another situation where talking directly to a Washington ESD agent through Claimyr really helped me understand the exact timing requirements for my case.

As long as your doctor clears you for some type of work and you're actively seeking employment within your restrictions, you should qualify for unemployment if no suitable work is available.

The key is being 'able and available' for work that exists within your medical restrictions.

You're welcome! Focus on your recovery first. The unemployment system will still be there when you're ready to return to work.

Good luck with your recovery! Hope you're back on your feet soon.

Thanks everyone. This really helped clear things up for me too.