Can you file for Washington ESD unemployment if you are on disability benefits?

This is actually more common than you think. You can potentially file for unemployment while on disability, but there are specific requirements you need to meet. The key is that you have to be able and available for work within your restrictions. Washington ESD will look at whether you're actively seeking work that accommodates your disability.

I tried this last year and it was such a nightmare dealing with Washington ESD over the phone. Spent weeks trying to get through to someone who could actually explain how my SSDI would affect my claim. Finally used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that connects you directly to ESD agents. Watched their demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ and it was exactly what I needed - no more waiting on hold for hours.

The main thing Washington ESD will evaluate is your work availability. Even if you're on disability, if you can prove you're able to work within your medical limitations and are actively searching for suitable work, you may qualify. You'll need documentation from your doctor about your work restrictions.

Wait I'm confused about this whole thing. If you're on disability doesn't that mean you CAN'T work? How can you file for unemployment benefits if you're disabled?? This doesn't make sense to me at all.

Been there! I was on partial disability and working part time when COVID hit and my hours got slashed. Washington ESD approved my claim but it took forever to get through adjudication because they had to verify my work capacity. The whole process was about 6 weeks.

The job search requirement is what trips people up in this situation. Washington ESD requires you to actively look for work, but it has to be work you can actually perform given your disability. Make sure you're documenting your job search properly and only applying to positions within your restrictions.

I work in HR and see this situation occasionally. The key is being upfront with Washington ESD about your limitations from the start. Don't try to hide the disability - they need to know so they can properly assess your claim. Most people who are honest about their situation and can demonstrate work capacity get approved.

ugh this whole system is so confusing. why can't they just have clear guidelines posted somewhere instead of making us guess about everything??

One important thing to remember - if you're receiving SSDI, there's an earnings limit you need to stay under or you could lose your disability benefits. Make sure your combined unemployment and work earnings don't push you over that threshold.

My sister went through this exact situation last year. She was on disability for a back injury but could still do desk work. When her company laid her off, Washington ESD approved her claim without any issues. The key was having medical documentation and being honest about her work restrictions during the interview.

Just want to mention again that if you run into issues getting through to Washington ESD about this complex situation, Claimyr really saved me a ton of frustration. Sometimes these disability-related questions need someone who actually understands the nuances, not just the basic phone tree responses.

File the claim. Worst case they deny it and you appeal. Best case you get approved and have some income while looking for work within your restrictions. You have nothing to lose by trying.

The adjudication process might take longer for your claim since they'll need to review your medical documentation, but don't let that discourage you. Washington ESD is required to accommodate people with disabilities who can work.

Make sure you keep good records of everything - your medical restrictions, job applications, communications with Washington ESD. If there are any issues down the road, you'll want that documentation.

I had a similar situation with workers comp and partial disability. Washington ESD worked with me to figure out what jobs I could realistically apply for given my restrictions. They're more accommodating than people think.

Don't forget to report your unemployment benefits to Social Security too if you're on SSDI. They need to know about all income sources for your annual review.

The bottom line is yes, you can file for unemployment while on disability as long as you're able to work within your medical restrictions. Washington ESD has to evaluate each case individually. Don't assume you're disqualified just because you receive disability benefits.

One last tip - when you file, be very specific about your work restrictions in the application. Don't just say 'limited capacity' - explain exactly what you can and cannot do. This helps Washington ESD assess your eligibility more accurately.

I've been following this thread because I might be in a similar situation soon. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences. Really helpful to see that it's possible to get unemployment while on disability.

This has been really informative. I work with people with disabilities and I'm going to bookmark this thread to share with clients who might be in similar situations. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences.