Can you collect unemployment after disability runs out in Washington state?

That's good to hear. Do I need to provide medical clearance when I file my claim?

Washington ESD might ask for documentation showing you're able to work, especially given your recent disability status. Keep your medical clearance handy just in case.

How long did it take for your claim to get approved? I'm worried about the gap in income.

Mine was pretty quick, maybe 2 weeks. But I'd heard horror stories about people waiting months so I used Claimyr to actually get through to someone at Washington ESD to check on my claim status. Really helped ease my anxiety.

What's Claimyr? Never heard of that.

It's this service that helps you get connected to Washington ESD agents when the phone lines are jammed. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo that explains how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ. Saved me hours of redialing.

Oh wow, I hadn't thought about that. I was working full time until my injury in March of last year. Would that count?

It depends on exactly when you file and which quarters your earnings fall into. You can use the benefit calculator on Washington ESD's website to get an estimate.

Yeah definitely check your earnings record first. I made the mistake of filing without checking and had to go through a whole appeals process when they said I didn't have enough wages.

That's scary. My doctor cleared me but I do still have some limitations. Should I mention those?

Be honest but focus on what you CAN do. If you're cleared for work, emphasize that. Don't volunteer information about limitations unless specifically asked.

Exactly! They're looking for reasons to deny claims these days. Keep it simple - you're able and available for work, period.

There's no automatic waiting period as long as you meet the regular eligibility requirements. The issue is just whether you're able and available for work.

Good to know, thanks for clarifying!

That's exactly why I mentioned Claimyr earlier. I was getting nowhere with the regular phone lines until I tried that service. Made all the difference.

Hmm, might have to look into that. This is so frustrating.

I'm definitely going to need to talk to someone about my specific situation. The online info is pretty general.

I didn't get any severance since my job was eliminated while I was out. But good point about having exact dates ready.

Yeah they're really picky about dates. Have all your paperwork organized before you file.

Is there any exemption for the first week or two while I'm getting back into the job search routine?

Nope, the work search requirements start immediately. But you can count things like updating your resume, attending job fairs, or networking events as valid activities.

They're pretty strict about this. I got a warning letter because I was one contact short one week.

That seems like overkill for a standard situation like this, doesn't it?

For most straightforward cases, you probably don't need a lawyer. The Washington ESD staff should be able to help you understand the requirements.

My disability ends on the 15th of next month. Should I wait until the following week to file?

Yes, I'd wait until the week after your disability officially ends to file your unemployment claim. Better safe than sorry.

That's good advice. Clean separation between benefit periods is always the safest approach.

Definitely planning to be completely honest. I'm not trying to hide anything.

Good! Honesty is always the best policy with Washington ESD, even if it means a longer review process.

How would I find that out? Is that something HR would know?

Yeah, your former HR department should have that information. It's part of their payroll records.

That makes sense. I'm actually eager to get back to work, so hopefully that comes across in my application.

It should! Having a positive attitude about returning to work definitely helps your case.

Sorry to hear that. What field are you in? Maybe the job market varies by industry.

Construction. Used to be tons of work but it's really slowed down lately.

That's a great idea. I'll look into that once I get my claim filed.

They also have resources for people with disabilities returning to work. Might be helpful given your situation.

I've looked at it but found it pretty confusing. Some of the language is hard to interpret.

That's another reason I ended up using Claimyr - could actually talk to a real person who understood the system instead of trying to decode the website.

Fair point. Sometimes talking to an actual person is the only way to get clear answers.

Thanks! All the advice here has been really helpful. Feeling more confident about the process now.

Definitely will do that. Better to have too much documentation than not enough.

Exactly! And if you do end up needing to call them about your claim, having all that info handy will make the conversation much smoother.

Great advice. Organization is key when dealing with any government benefit system.

This is really comprehensive advice, thanks! I hadn't thought about gathering all the employment history details beforehand. Since my job was eliminated, do I need any special documentation from my former employer about that, or will Washington ESD verify it directly with them?