Can you get Washington ESD unemployment while on social security disability?

This is actually a complex situation that many people face. You can potentially receive both SSDI and unemployment benefits, but there are important considerations. For Washington ESD, you must be able and available for work, which means you need to demonstrate you can perform suitable work despite your disability. The key is showing you're actively seeking employment within your capabilities.

I went through this exact situation last year. You definitely can collect both but you have to meet all the regular unemployment requirements. The tricky part is proving you're available for work while on disability. I had to document my work restrictions and show I was actively looking for jobs within those limits.

Be careful here - there's a potential conflict between claiming disability (can't work) and claiming unemployment (able to work). Some people have had issues with this contradiction. You might want to consult with a benefits attorney before proceeding.

I tried calling Washington ESD about this same question and couldn't get through to anyone. Spent 3 hours on hold yesterday and got disconnected. I found this service called Claimyr that actually helps you get through to Washington ESD agents by phone. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Might be worth checking out if you need to talk to someone directly about your specific situation.

From what I understand, Washington state allows this as long as you meet the able and available requirements. The Social Security Administration has also clarified that seeking unemployment doesn't automatically disqualify you from SSDI, especially if you're looking for work within your restrictions.

ugh this is so confusing. i'm in a similar boat and everyone tells me different things. some say you can't get both, others say you can. wish there was clearer guidance somewhere.

This happened to my neighbor and she got approved for unemployment while on SSDI. She had to jump through some hoops to prove she was looking for work within her capabilities, but Washington ESD eventually approved her claim. The key was documenting everything properly.

I work for a disability advocacy organization and we see this question frequently. The short answer is yes, you can potentially receive both SSDI and unemployment benefits in Washington state. The longer answer involves meeting specific criteria and being very clear about your work capacity versus your disability limitations.

Just wanted to add that if you're on SSDI and working part-time, you're probably already demonstrating work capacity. That should help your case with Washington ESD since you're showing you can work within your limitations.

whatever you do, don't try to hide the SSDI when filing for unemployment. i heard about someone who did that and got in trouble for fraud. not worth the risk.

I'm dealing with this right now too. Filed my claim last month and disclosed my SSDI. Washington ESD asked for additional documentation about my work capacity, which I provided. Still waiting to hear back but the process seems straightforward if you're upfront about everything.

The job search requirement might be tricky for you. You'll need to show you're actively looking for work, but it has to be work you can actually do with your disability. Keep detailed records of what jobs you apply for and why they're suitable given your restrictions.

I used to work in the Washington ESD office and can tell you that these dual-benefit situations are reviewed case by case. As long as you can demonstrate genuine work capacity within your limitations and meet all unemployment requirements, you should be fine. The key is documentation and honesty.

just remember that unemployment benefits might affect your SSDI amount if you earn too much. there are earnings limits to keep in mind.

I've been following this thread because I'm in a similar situation. Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences. It sounds like it's definitely possible to get both benefits if you handle it correctly.

If you're having trouble reaching Washington ESD to discuss your specific situation, I had success using Claimyr to get through to an agent. They helped me connect when I was dealing with a complex claim issue. Might be worth trying if you need to speak with someone directly about how your SSDI affects your unemployment eligibility.

One more thing to consider - make sure you understand how unemployment benefits might be taxed differently than SSDI. SSDI might not be taxable for you, but unemployment definitely will be. Just something to keep in mind for tax planning.

Thanks everyone for all this information! I feel much more informed about the process now. I'm going to file my claim and be completely transparent about my SSDI status. Will update this thread with how it goes in case it helps others in similar situations.

One last tip - when you file your weekly claims, make sure you report any SSDI payments you receive that week. Washington ESD needs to know about all income sources to calculate your benefits correctly. It's better to over-report than under-report.