Can you get Washington ESD unemployment if you are disabled?

You absolutely CAN get unemployment benefits if you're disabled! The key requirement is that you must be able and available for work. Washington ESD doesn't automatically disqualify you for having a disability - they look at whether you can still work in some capacity. If your disability prevents you from doing your previous job but you could do other work, you might qualify.

The 'able and available' requirement is crucial here. You'll need to register with WorkSource and show that you're actively job searching. Washington ESD will want to see that you're genuinely looking for work you can perform with your disability.

I was in a similar situation last year. Had to quit my warehouse job due to back problems but could still do office work. Washington ESD approved my claim after I explained my situation during a phone interview. The key is proving you're still able to work in some capacity.

I've been trying to get through to Washington ESD for weeks about my own disability-related unemployment questions. Their phone lines are always busy and I keep getting disconnected. Found this service called Claimyr that helped me actually talk to someone at Washington ESD - they have a system that gets you through the phone queue. Check out claimyr.com and there's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

wait I thought you couldn't get unemployment AND disability at the same time? I'm so confused about all these rules

The Washington ESD website has a whole section about this but it's confusing as hell. Basically if you quit because your disability made it impossible to do your specific job, you might still qualify if you can do other work. But if you quit because you can't work at all, then no unemployment.

This is so frustrating! I've been dealing with this for months and keep getting different answers from different Washington ESD people. One person told me I couldn't get benefits because I'm disabled, another said I could. The system is broken!

My sister got unemployment after her MS flare-up made it impossible to continue her nursing job. She had to prove she could still work in other capacities, but Washington ESD approved her claim. She's now working in medical records instead of direct patient care.

The key thing Washington ESD looks at is whether your disability makes you unable to work at all, or just unable to do your previous job. If you can work but need accommodations, you might qualify. If you can't work period, then you'd need to look into disability benefits instead of unemployment.

I tried calling Washington ESD about this same question but couldn't get through. Their hold times are insane and I kept getting disconnected after waiting 2+ hours. Finally used Claimyr to get through and talked to an actual person who explained everything clearly. Game changer!

Make sure you document everything about your work limitations and what accommodations you need. Washington ESD might ask for details during your eligibility interview, and having it written down helps you explain your situation clearly.

just wanted to say this thread is super helpful! I'm in a similar boat with my chronic pain condition and wasn't sure if I should even bother applying

One thing to watch out for - if you're getting any kind of disability payments, that might affect your unemployment benefits. Washington ESD will ask about all your income sources when you file your weekly claims.

The WorkSource registration requirement might be tricky with a disability. You'll need to show you're actively job searching, but you can focus your search on jobs that accommodate your limitations. Don't feel like you have to apply for everything.

I went through this whole process last year and the most important thing is being upfront about your situation. Don't try to hide your disability - Washington ESD needs to understand your work limitations to make the right decision about your benefits.

Check if your state has any vocational rehabilitation services too. Sometimes they can help with job placement for people with disabilities while you're getting unemployment benefits.

The bottom line is that having a disability doesn't automatically disqualify you from unemployment benefits in Washington. As long as you can work in some capacity and are actively looking for suitable employment, you should be eligible. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise!

If you do get stuck in adjudication or need to talk to Washington ESD about your specific situation, I had good luck with that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier. Sometimes you just need to talk to a real person to get things sorted out properly.

This whole discussion has been really eye-opening! I had no idea people with disabilities could get unemployment benefits. Learn something new every day on these forums.