Can you get Washington ESD unemployment while getting disability benefits?

This is actually more complex than most people realize. The key issue isn't whether you can collect both benefits simultaneously - it's about meeting Washington ESD's 'able and available' requirement. If you're receiving SSDI, you've essentially told the Social Security Administration that you're unable to work due to disability. But to qualify for unemployment, you need to certify that you're able and available for work. This creates a potential conflict that Washington ESD will scrutinize during adjudication.

I tried this last year and it was a nightmare. Washington ESD held up my claim for weeks asking for medical documentation and statements from my doctors about my work capacity. Even though I was working part-time when I filed, they wanted proof that I could actually seek and accept other employment.

The biggest thing to understand is that receiving SSDI doesn't automatically disqualify you from unemployment benefits, but it creates a presumption that you're not able to work. You'll need to overcome that presumption with evidence. Washington ESD will want to see medical documentation showing you can work, evidence of your job search activities, and possibly statements from healthcare providers about your functional capacity.

This is so frustrating!! Why do they make it so complicated? I'm in a similar boat - getting disability but still working some hours. The system seems designed to punish people who are trying to stay employed despite their conditions.

One thing to consider is timing. If you're currently working part-time and your hours were reduced, you might qualify for partial unemployment benefits even while receiving SSDI. But you'd still need to demonstrate that you're actively seeking additional work to meet the job search requirements.

whatever you do dont lie on your application about the disability payments. they will find out and then you'll be in real trouble for fraud. better to be upfront and deal with the adjudication than try to hide it

Here's what I'd recommend for your specific situation: 1) Gather all medical documentation about your work capacity, 2) Get a statement from your current employer about the hour reduction, 3) Prepare a detailed explanation of how you can work despite your disability, 4) File your claim being completely transparent about your SSDI status, and 5) Be prepared for adjudication and potentially an appeal if initially denied.

I've seen people in this situation get approved but it really depends on your specific disability and work capacity. The key is showing that despite your disability, you're still able and available for work within your limitations.

Just want to mention again that if you run into issues getting through to Washington ESD during this process, Claimyr has been a lifesaver for me and others I know. When you're dealing with complex situations like disability and unemployment overlap, being able to actually talk to an agent makes a huge difference. Much better than the endless phone trees and busy signals.

One more thing to consider - make sure you understand how unemployment benefits might affect your SSDI payments. While unemployment generally doesn't count against SSDI, any work income you report for unemployment purposes could impact your disability benefits if it exceeds SGA limits.

this whole system is broken. why should someone have to jump through hoops to get help when they're already struggling with disability and job loss?

Has anyone actually been successful with this? I'm curious about real outcomes, not just the theoretical process.

Make sure you keep working your part-time job while the claim is processing if possible. It helps demonstrate your work capacity and commitment to employment.

Document everything! Keep records of all your communications with both Washington ESD and Social Security. You'll need a paper trail if there are any issues or appeals.

Also remember that even if you're approved for unemployment, you'll still need to complete your weekly claims and job search requirements. Having a disability doesn't exempt you from those obligations.

The job search requirement is actually where a lot of people in this situation run into trouble. Make sure you can demonstrate you're genuinely seeking work that accommodates your disability.

Final thought - if you do get into adjudication hell and need to speak with someone at Washington ESD urgently, definitely consider using Claimyr. Sometimes these complex cases require actual human explanation that you can't provide through the online system. The service has helped several people I know navigate tricky adjudication situations.

Good luck with your claim! It's definitely possible to get approved, but be prepared for the process to take some time and require patience.

One last tip - if you get denied initially, don't give up. The appeal process allows you to present additional evidence and explain your situation more thoroughly.

This thread has been super informative. I'm bookmarking it because I might need this information myself soon.