Can you get Washington ESD unemployment if you're pregnant?

That's such a relief to hear! I was really worried they'd automatically deny me. Do I need to mention the pregnancy when I file my initial claim?

You don't have to volunteer that information upfront, but if they ask during the interview process, be honest. The important thing is that you're truly able and available for work.

That's such a relief to hear! I was worried they'd automatically deny me. Do I need to mention the pregnancy when I file my initial claim?

You don't have to volunteer that information upfront, but be honest if they ask during any interviews or adjudication process. The main thing is demonstrating you're actively job searching.

Did you have any trouble finding employers willing to hire someone who was obviously pregnant? I'm starting to show and worried about interviews.

It was challenging, I won't lie. Some employers were hesitant, but legally they can't discriminate. I focused on temp agencies and remote work opportunities. The key for UI is that you're making genuine efforts to find work.

This is encouraging to read. I'm in a similar boat but only 3 months along. At least I know it's possible to get benefits approved.

Did you have any trouble finding employers willing to interview you while visibly pregnant?

Some employers were definitely hesitant, but I kept applying and documenting everything. Washington ESD just cares that you're making the effort to find work.

This is exactly why I used Claimyr when I needed to talk to Washington ESD about my claim complications. Instead of waiting on hold forever, I got through to an actual agent who explained my rights clearly. Check out claimyr.com - they have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

What happens if I need to go on bed rest later in the pregnancy? Would I lose my benefits then?

If you become medically unable to work, you'd no longer meet the 'able and available' requirement for UI. At that point, you might need to look into other benefits like disability or FMLA if you have a job to return to.

What counts as 'suitable employment' when you're pregnant? Do I have to apply for jobs that require heavy lifting or long hours on my feet?

Suitable work generally means jobs similar to your previous employment in terms of wages and working conditions. You can have reasonable restrictions due to pregnancy, but you need to show you're still genuinely seeking work within those parameters.

Interesting, I've never heard of that service. Did it actually help her get her claim approved?

Yeah, she said it was way easier than trying to call Washington ESD directly. The agent was able to walk her through exactly what she needed to do and her claim got processed much faster.

I'm skeptical of third-party services, but if it actually helps people get through to Washington ESD, might be worth checking out. The phone system there is absolutely terrible.

Have you tried calling right when they open at 8am? Sometimes that works better than calling later in the day.

Yeah I've tried that multiple times. Still can't get through. The phone system is just overwhelmed I think.

I had the same problem until someone told me about Claimyr. It's a service that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents without the endless hold times. I was skeptical at first but it actually worked - got connected to an agent in under 10 minutes to discuss my adjudication issue.

That's good to know about the 3 contacts per week. I was wondering what the current requirements were.

Actually, it's 3 job search activities per week, not necessarily 3 different employers. You can count things like attending job fairs, networking events, or even some online training courses.

Two weeks isn't that unusual unfortunately. It took about 3 weeks for my claim to get approved when I was pregnant. Hang in there!

Did you have to do an interview or anything special? I'm worried they're going to want to discuss my pregnancy and I don't know what to say.

I didn't have to do a formal interview, but they did call to verify some employment details. Just be honest about your situation and emphasize that you're able and available for work.

I'm tempted to try it if I run into issues. The idea of spending hours on hold while pregnant doesn't sound appealing.

Right? And with pregnancy, you might have more time-sensitive questions that need answers. Regular customer service is just not equipped to handle the volume.

That makes sense. So I should probably try to find a job before my due date, or at least be prepared for my benefits to stop when I have the baby?

Exactly. You might want to look into Washington's paid family leave program too - that could help cover the time after birth when you can't collect unemployment.

That's helpful to know. I was wondering how maternity leave would affect things. Can you restart benefits even after a few months gap?

Yes, as long as you haven't used up your full benefit year and you're still within the time limits. You'd need to reopen your claim and meet the able and available requirements again.

This is correct. Your benefit year is 52 weeks from when you first filed, so you have that window to use your benefits even with gaps.

I mean, I get the frustration, but the 'able and available' requirement exists for everyone, not just pregnant women. It's about making sure benefits go to people actually seeking work.

still discriminatory imo. pregnant women need support not more barriers

While that might work, it's better to be upfront if asked directly. Washington ESD can audit claims and you don't want to risk having to pay back benefits later.

true, but I'm just saying pregnancy itself isn't disqualifying so there's no reason to make it complicated

Good point about the waiting week. I'll file tomorrow morning. Do I file online through the Washington ESD website?

Yes, go to esd.wa.gov and file your initial claim online. It's easier than calling and you can do it 24/7.

How many job applications did you have to do each week? I heard it's 3 minimum now.

Yes, 3 job search activities per week minimum. Can be applications, networking, job fairs, etc. Just keep good records of everything you do.

That's really helpful perspective from the employer side. I want to make sure I'm doing everything right.

Just be realistic about what work you can accept and keep good records of your job search activities. Most employers understand that pregnant women are motivated to find work before the baby arrives.

You might be thinking of WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) program, but that's for food assistance, not unemployment benefits. There's also pregnancy-related Medicaid programs.

Oh right, I was mixing up different programs. Thanks for clarifying!

That makes sense. I guess I was worried about something that isn't actually a legal issue.

Exactly. Focus on meeting the standard requirements and don't let pregnancy anxiety make you overthink the process.

Good to know! If I run into any complications with my pregnancy situation, I might give them a try.

Yeah, it's especially useful when you have specific questions that need answers from an actual person rather than just general information.

That's a good point. I have a lot of appointments coming up and was worried about how that would look.

Medical appointments are protected, just make sure you're still making genuine efforts to find work around your appointment schedule.

How long were you able to collect benefits before the baby came?

I collected for about 8 weeks before I had the baby. Then I stopped claiming while I was on maternity leave and looked into other options.

Seems like that service is getting a lot of positive mentions. I'll keep it in mind if I need to speak to someone directly.

Yeah, sometimes you just need to talk to an actual Washington ESD representative who can look at your specific case rather than trying to figure it out from general information.

That's a positive way to look at it. I am definitely motivated to find something soon!

Exactly! And many employers recognize that pregnant women are often more focused and determined to succeed because they have extra motivation.

What kind of complications would affect eligibility? I'm having a pretty normal pregnancy so far.

Things like severe morning sickness, bed rest orders, or other medical conditions that prevent you from being able to work. As long as you're medically cleared to work, you should be fine.

You're probably right. I was getting anxious about all the what-ifs instead of just focusing on the current situation.

Exactly! Deal with issues as they come up rather than borrowing trouble from the future.

You've got this! Just remember to file your weekly claims on time and keep track of your job search activities. Good luck with both the job search and the pregnancy!

Wishing you the best! It's definitely possible to navigate unemployment benefits while pregnant - I'm proof of that. Feel free to ask if you have more questions as you go through the process.

What's adjudication? Should I be worried about that happening?

Adjudication is when Washington ESD needs to review your claim for eligibility issues. It can happen for various reasons - separation circumstances, work search issues, etc. Not necessarily something to worry about but good to know about just in case.

This is important advice. I know someone who got disqualified because their job search activities weren't genuine. Washington ESD does check up on this stuff.

That's concerning. How do they verify that your job search activities are genuine?

They can contact employers you claimed to apply with, ask for copies of applications, or require you to provide detailed information about your job search during an interview. Just be honest and actually do the work.

Exactly this. Pregnancy is a protected status. If anyone at Washington ESD gives you grief about it, document everything and consider filing a complaint.

Good to know I have those protections. Hopefully it won't come to that but it's reassuring to know my rights.

How do I know what my base period earnings were? Do I need to gather pay stubs or tax documents?

Washington ESD has your wage records from employers, but it's good to have your pay stubs handy in case there are any discrepancies. They'll tell you your base period wages when you file.

You're right, I've been overthinking this. I'll file my claim tomorrow and start applying for jobs. Thanks everyone for the advice and reassurance!

Good luck! And if you run into any issues with your claim, remember that getting through to Washington ESD by phone can be really difficult. Services like Claimyr can help you actually talk to an agent when you need to resolve problems quickly.