Can you collect unemployment and disability at the same time in Washington?
I'm dealing with a complicated situation and need some clarity. I've been on short-term disability through my employer for a back injury, but my doctor says I might be able to do some light work soon. My employer doesn't have any positions that fit my restrictions right now, so they're laying me off. Can I apply for Washington ESD unemployment benefits while still receiving disability payments? I don't want to mess up either benefit by doing something wrong. Has anyone been in this situation before?
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Amina Diop
This is actually more common than you'd think. The key issue is whether you're able and available for work, which is required for UI benefits. If you're on disability, Washington ESD might question whether you can actually work. You'll need to show you can perform some type of work even with restrictions.
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Paolo Romano
•That makes sense. My doctor did clear me for light duty work, so I should be okay on that front. Do I need to report the disability payments when I file?
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Amina Diop
•Yes, you'll need to report any income including disability payments on your weekly claims. Washington ESD will determine how it affects your benefit amount.
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Oliver Schmidt
I went through something similar last year. Had workers comp and then tried to get unemployment when I was cleared for light work. The paperwork was a nightmare and I kept getting conflicting information from different Washington ESD reps.
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Paolo Romano
•Oh no, that sounds frustrating. How did you finally get it sorted out?
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Oliver Schmidt
•Honestly, I used a service called Claimyr that helped me get through to the right people at Washington ESD. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that explains how it works. Saved me hours of calling.
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Natasha Volkov
The general rule is that you can receive both, but there are conditions. For Washington ESD unemployment, you must be able and available for work. For disability, you're typically unable to work. These seem contradictory, but if you have partial disability or are cleared for limited work, you might qualify for both.
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Javier Torres
•This is confusing. If someone is disabled enough to get disability payments, how can they also be available for work? Seems like the system is contradicting itself.
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Natasha Volkov
•Disability isn't always total inability to work. Someone might be unable to do their previous job but still able to do other types of work. That's where the 'able and available' test comes in.
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Paolo Romano
•Exactly my situation. I can't do heavy lifting anymore but I could do office work or something similar.
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Emma Wilson
You definitely need to be upfront about everything when you apply. Trying to hide the disability payments could get you in trouble for fraud. Washington ESD has ways of checking these things.
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QuantumLeap
•This is so important! I know someone who got hit with an overpayment because they didn't report all their income properly.
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Paolo Romano
•Good point. I'll make sure to report everything accurately. Better safe than sorry.
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Malik Johnson
wait so if youre getting disability money you can still get unemployment? that doesnt make sense to me
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Amina Diop
•It depends on the type of disability and your work capacity. Short-term disability from an employer is different from Social Security disability. The rules can be complex.
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Malik Johnson
•oh ok i thought all disability was the same thing
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Isabella Santos
I'm dealing with this exact situation right now! Filed for unemployment two weeks ago and disclosed my disability payments. Still waiting to hear back from Washington ESD about whether I'll be approved.
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Paolo Romano
•How long have you been waiting? I'm worried about the timing of everything.
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Isabella Santos
•Two weeks so far. I think cases like ours take longer because they need to review the medical documentation and work restrictions.
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Oliver Schmidt
•That's when Claimyr really helped me. I was able to actually talk to someone at Washington ESD who could look at my case specifically instead of just waiting and wondering.
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Ravi Sharma
The Washington ESD handbook says you can receive both if you meet the requirements for each program separately. The disability payment might reduce your unemployment benefit amount though.
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Paolo Romano
•Do you know how much it typically reduces the benefit? I'm trying to figure out if it's worth applying.
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Ravi Sharma
•It varies based on the amount of disability payment and your weekly benefit amount. Washington ESD will calculate it when they process your claim.
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Javier Torres
This whole system is so confusing! Why can't they just have clear rules about what you can and can't do?
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Natasha Volkov
•The rules are actually fairly clear, but everyone's situation is different. That's why they review each case individually.
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Javier Torres
•I guess that makes sense, but it's still frustrating when you're trying to figure out what to do.
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Freya Larsen
Make sure you have all your medical documentation ready when you apply. Washington ESD will want to see proof of your work restrictions and what type of work you can do.
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Paolo Romano
•Good advice. I have a letter from my doctor outlining my restrictions. Should that be enough?
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Freya Larsen
•That's a good start. Make sure it's specific about what you can and can't do, not just vague statements.
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Omar Hassan
Been there! Got workers comp and then unemployment when I was cleared for light duty. The key is proving you're actively looking for work within your restrictions.
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Paolo Romano
•That's a good point about job searching. I need to make sure I'm applying for positions I can actually do.
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Omar Hassan
•Exactly. Keep detailed records of your job search activities that show you're looking for appropriate work.
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Chloe Taylor
My sister had this same issue. Took forever to get approved because Washington ESD kept asking for more documentation. She finally got someone on the phone who walked her through exactly what they needed.
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Paolo Romano
•How did she manage to get through to someone? I've tried calling but never get past the automated system.
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Chloe Taylor
•She used some service that helps you get through to unemployment offices. I think it was Claimyr or something like that.
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Oliver Schmidt
•Yes, that's exactly what I used! Claimyr.com - they basically call for you and get you connected to an actual person.
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ShadowHunter
Don't forget about job search requirements! Even with restrictions, you'll still need to look for work and report your activities.
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Paolo Romano
•Right, I need to register with WorkSource too. Do I need to mention my restrictions there as well?
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ShadowHunter
•Yes, they can actually help you find jobs that match your restrictions. It's worth setting up an appointment with them.
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Diego Ramirez
THE SYSTEM IS BROKEN! They make it impossible to get help when you need it most. I waited 6 weeks for them to review my disability documentation.
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Paolo Romano
•Six weeks?! That's terrible. Were you eventually approved?
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Diego Ramirez
•Yes but only after I got a lawyer involved. Should not have to go through that just to get benefits you're entitled to.
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Anastasia Sokolov
Just wanted to add that timing matters. If you apply for unemployment while still on disability, make sure you're clear about when your work restrictions changed.
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Paolo Romano
•Good point. My doctor visit where I was cleared for light duty was last week, so I should use that date.
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Anastasia Sokolov
•Exactly. Having clear dates helps Washington ESD understand your situation better.
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Sean O'Connor
i think you can get both but they might reduce one of them not sure how much tho
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Paolo Romano
•Yeah, that seems to be the consensus. I guess I'll find out when I apply.
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Zara Ahmed
This thread has been really helpful! I'm in a similar situation and was wondering the same thing. Sounds like it's possible but complicated.
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Paolo Romano
•Glad it helped! I'm feeling more confident about applying now.
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Zara Ahmed
•Same here. I think the key is being totally honest about everything and having good documentation.
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Luca Conti
One more thing - if you're denied initially, don't give up! You can appeal and provide additional documentation. Sometimes the first reviewer doesn't have all the information they need.
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Paolo Romano
•Thanks for that reminder. I'll keep that in mind if things don't go smoothly.
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Luca Conti
•The appeals process can be lengthy but it's worth it if you have a valid claim.
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Nia Johnson
Final thought - consider consulting with a disability attorney if your case is complex. Many offer free consultations and can help you navigate both systems.
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Paolo Romano
•I might do that if I run into problems. Thanks for all the advice everyone!
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Nia Johnson
•Good luck with your application! Hope everything works out.
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