Can you draw unemployment while on maternity leave in Washington state?

This is actually a really common question and the answer depends on your specific situation. Generally speaking, to be eligible for unemployment benefits in Washington, you have to be able and available for work. If you're taking maternity leave and not available to work, that could disqualify you from receiving benefits.

I went through this exact situation last year. Washington ESD has specific rules about this - you can potentially receive benefits if you're laid off before your maternity leave begins, but once you go on leave and indicate you're not available for work, your benefits will likely be suspended until you're ready to return to work and actively job searching.

The Washington ESD website has some information about this, but honestly their phone lines are so hard to get through to get a clear answer. I tried calling for weeks about a similar situation and kept getting busy signals or hung up on. Finally found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually got me through to talk to someone at Washington ESD. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Might be worth checking out if you need to speak with someone directly about your specific circumstances.

You might also want to look into Washington's Paid Family and Medical Leave program instead of or in addition to unemployment. It's a different benefit that specifically covers time off for bonding with a new child. The benefits aren't as much as unemployment but you don't have to be available for work to qualify.

ugh this whole system is so confusing!! why cant they just make it simple - if you lose your job you should get benefits period. having a baby shouldnt complicate everything

Here's what I'd recommend: File your unemployment claim as soon as you're laid off, while you're still able and available for work. Be honest about your upcoming maternity leave when you file. Washington ESD can then advise you on how to handle the transition. You may be able to collect benefits right up until your leave starts.

Just went through something similar with my sister. She was able to get unemployment for about 6 weeks after being laid off, then had to suspend her claim when she went on maternity leave. Once she was ready to look for work again she reactivated it. The key thing is you have to actually be available and looking for work to keep getting benefits.

Don't forget about the job search requirements either. Even if you qualify initially, Washington ESD requires you to be actively looking for work and keeping a job search log. That gets pretty difficult when you're heavily pregnant or have a newborn.

One more thing to consider - make sure you understand how your employer is handling your layoff vs. your maternity leave. Are they laying you off before your leave starts, or are they considering you on leave and then laying you off? The timing matters for your unemployment eligibility.

I really think your best bet is to talk directly to someone at Washington ESD about your specific situation. Every case is a little different and they can give you the most accurate guidance. Since their phones are so hard to get through on, that Claimyr service I mentioned earlier might be worth the investment to actually get some real answers.

This is such a stressful situation to be in! Being pregnant and losing your job at the same time is really tough. Just remember that there are options available, even if the system seems complicated. Take it one step at a time and don't be afraid to ask for help.

Also worth mentioning that Washington's PFML program allows you to take leave starting 2 weeks before your due date, so there might be some overlap timing you can work with there. The benefits are based on your wages too, so it could provide some income during your leave period.

been there with my first kid, the whole system is just not set up well for working moms. you basically have to choose between benefits and taking care of your baby which is ridiculous

Final piece of advice - document everything. Keep records of your layoff notice, any communication with your employer about dates, and all your interactions with Washington ESD. If there are any disputes or questions later, having good documentation will be really helpful.

Good luck with everything! Having a baby is stressful enough without worrying about finances. Hope you're able to get the benefits you need and have a healthy delivery.

Just to circle back on getting answers from Washington ESD - I really can't stress enough how helpful it was to actually talk to someone there about my specific situation rather than trying to piece together information from websites and forums. If you do use that Claimyr service, they can usually get you connected within a day or two rather than spending weeks trying to get through on your own.

One last thing - if you do end up getting benefits initially and then suspending them for maternity leave, make sure you understand how long you have to reactivate your claim. I think in Washington you have a year from when you first filed, but double check that.

Wishing you all the best with your pregnancy and the job situation. It's a lot to handle at once but you've got this! The fact that you're researching your options shows you're being proactive.

Just want to add that every situation is unique, so what worked for others might not be exactly the same for you. But at least now you have a good foundation of knowledge to work with when you talk to Washington ESD.

I'm a new parent myself and went through a similar situation recently. One thing I learned that might help is to check if your employer offers any kind of severance package or extended health benefits that could bridge the gap between your layoff and when you're ready to return to work. Also, Washington state has some great resources for new parents - there are WIC programs, childcare assistance, and other support services that might be helpful during this transition period. The timing is really tricky with pregnancy and layoffs, but you have more options than you might think. Don't hesitate to reach out to local family resource centers too - they often have navigators who can help you understand all the different programs available.