Can you get disability and unemployment benefits at the same time in Washington?

Really? I was told by someone at Social Security that I couldn't do both. What are the main restrictions?

The key is that for unemployment, you have to certify that you're able and available for work each week. For SSDI, you're considered disabled. The tricky part is proving you can work despite your disability - usually this means part-time or with accommodations.

That makes sense. I'm on SSDI but my condition allows me to do sedentary work, which is why my doctor cleared me for light duty. Do I need to report my SSDI to Washington ESD when I file my weekly claims?

Yes, you absolutely need to report all income including SSDI when you file your weekly claims. Washington ESD will calculate how this affects your UI benefits based on their offset rules.

I'm getting state disability insurance, not SSDI. Does that make a difference with Washington ESD unemployment requirements?

Yes, state disability insurance has different rules than federal SSDI. You'll need to check if your state disability allows work activity and if Washington ESD considers you available for work while receiving those benefits.

Did you appeal the decision? I'm worried about the same thing happening to me.

I didn't appeal because I couldn't afford a lawyer and the process seemed too complicated. Maybe I should have tried harder.

This is exactly right. I went through this same situation last year and had no problems with my UI claim as long as I kept detailed job search records showing I was applying for positions I could actually perform.

How detailed do the job search records need to be? I've been keeping track but I'm worried it's not enough documentation.

Good point about calling first. Have you had any luck getting through to Washington ESD lately? I've been trying for days.

Honestly, it's been really hard to reach them by phone. The wait times are brutal and I keep getting disconnected.

I had the same problem reaching Washington ESD until I found Claimyr. They help you get through to an actual agent without waiting on hold for hours. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows exactly how it works. It was a game changer for getting my questions answered about my claim.

That's exactly what I'm worried about! Did you have any issues with your SSDI payments while you were trying to get unemployment?

no my ssdi stayed the same but the paperwork was insane. had to get letters from my doctor explaining what kind of work i could do

How does that work exactly? I've been trying to call Washington ESD for two weeks and can never get through to a real person.

Basically they handle the calling process for you and connect you when an agent is available. Much easier than sitting on hold for hours or getting hung up on constantly.

That actually sounds really useful. I had to call about my adjudication issue and it took me three weeks to finally reach someone.

No, that's a common misconception. There are different types of disability benefits and different levels of disability. Someone can have a partial disability that limits their work options but still be able and available for work within those limitations.

Oh I see, I thought all disability meant you couldn't work at all. Thanks for clarifying that.

Yeah, the disability system is way more nuanced than most people realize. Lots of people with disabilities can and want to work, they just need accommodations or have restrictions on the type of work they can do.

I feel the same way. The bureaucracy is designed to keep people from getting benefits they deserve.

I understand the frustration, but there are legitimate reasons for these rules. The programs serve different purposes - unemployment is for people temporarily out of work who are actively seeking employment.

Good point about consistency. I've been using my vocational rehabilitation counselor to help identify appropriate job openings, so hopefully that shows I'm being realistic about my limitations.

That's smart! Having professional guidance on suitable positions will definitely help if either agency questions your job search efforts.

I've been trying to call them for weeks but can never get through. The phone just rings and rings or I get a busy signal.

Have you tried using Claimyr? I found out about it when I was having the same problem getting through to Washington ESD. It's a service that helps you actually reach an agent - claimyr.com. They have a video demo that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ. Saved me hours of calling.

Never heard of that before. Does it actually work for getting through to discuss complex situations like this disability/unemployment question?

Did you have any issues with your claim getting held up for adjudication because of the disability benefits?

My initial claim did go to adjudication for about three weeks while they reviewed my work availability, but once I provided documentation from my doctor about what types of work I could perform, it was approved without any problems.

That's interesting - how do you prove you're able and available with accommodations? Do I need documentation from my doctor?

Yes, medical documentation would help. You'd want something from your doctor stating what type of work you can perform and what accommodations you need. Washington ESD will review this during the eligibility determination.

Ugh, I didn't even think about having to report UI to Social Security too. This is getting really complicated.

It is complicated, but as long as you're transparent with both agencies and keep good records, you should be fine. Don't let the complexity stop you from getting benefits you're entitled to.

I haven't heard of the ticket to work program. Is this something I need to apply for separately?

Yes, it's a separate SSA program. You'd need to contact Social Security to enroll. It provides a safety net while you test your work capacity, which could help justify your unemployment claim.

Because SSDI barely covers my rent, let alone food and other bills. Even a few hundred dollars from unemployment would make a huge difference.

I get it, money is tight for everyone right now. But the poster is right that it could get complicated fast. You might end up spending more on documentation and potential appeals than you'd get in benefits.

Workers comp is different from regular disability though, right? Did you eventually get both benefits?

Yeah workers comp is different but similar issues. I did get both eventually but had to provide tons of medical records and job search documentation.

Oh great, another thing to worry about. Do you know if Washington ESD coordinates with state disability automatically or do I need to report it?

You should report all income and benefits to Washington ESD when filing your weekly claims. It's better to be transparent upfront than deal with overpayment issues later.

What's the substantial gainful activity threshold for 2025? I want to make sure I don't accidentally go over it.

For 2025 it's $1,550 per month for non-blind individuals. But remember, SSDI has a trial work period where you can earn more without losing benefits initially.

How often should I be updating them about my status? My condition is fairly stable but does have some fluctuation.

Any significant changes in your ability to work should be reported right away. For minor fluctuations, as long as you're still within your established work capacity guidelines, you probably don't need to report every small change.

I totally get it. Sometimes it feels like you're being punished for trying to do the right thing.

This is really helpful, thank you. Do you know if Washington ESD has any advocates or ombudsman services that might help with complex cases like this?

I'm not sure about internal advocates, but there are legal aid organizations that help with unemployment issues. WorkSource offices might also have some resources.

Workers comp situations can actually be more complex because of the return-to-work requirements and potential conflicts with seeking new employment. You might want to check with your workers comp adjuster about how unemployment benefits could affect your claim.

Good point, I'll definitely check on that. I don't want to accidentally mess up my workers comp by filing for UI.

This is specifically about Washington state - that's where I'm filing. Do you know if Washington ESD is particularly strict about this?

Washington ESD does tend to scrutinize these cases more carefully. They'll likely require medical documentation showing what type of work you can perform despite your disability.

Definitely planning to be completely honest. I'm just worried they'll automatically deny me because I'm on SSDI.

they might initially but you can appeal it. just be prepared with all your medical records and doctor letters about what work you can do

This gives me hope! What did your doctor's letter specifically say? I want to make sure I ask for the right documentation.

It outlined exactly what physical tasks I could and couldn't do, how many hours per day I could work, and what accommodations I'd need. Very detailed medical justification for why I could work part-time despite my disability.

That's great that you got through the appeals process! For anyone else struggling to reach Washington ESD during appeals, that Claimyr service I mentioned earlier really helped me get through to explain my situation to an actual person instead of just submitting paperwork into the void.

I haven't personally had a claim denied for this reason, and I don't think applying for UI would affect your SSDI eligibility. The worst case scenario is Washington ESD denies your UI claim, but that shouldn't impact your disability benefits.

Exactly. These are separate programs run by different agencies. Filing for unemployment won't jeopardize your disability benefits, though you do need to report any UI income you receive to Social Security.

I've been applying to about 10-15 jobs per week that match my restrictions. Is that enough to satisfy the job search requirement?

That sounds like a solid job search effort. Washington ESD typically wants to see at least 3 job search activities per week, so 10-15 applications definitely exceeds their minimum requirement.

That sounds really helpful. I'm definitely going to check that out since I can't get through on my own.

Is that service free? I'm already struggling financially and can't afford expensive help.

It's worth checking out their website for current pricing, but honestly the value was huge for me. Way better than spending hours on hold or getting wrong information.

Good point, I hadn't thought about taxes. So unemployment benefits would increase my tax burden even if SSDI doesn't?

Exactly. Unemployment is treated as regular income for tax purposes, so you'll owe federal and state taxes on it.

I haven't looked into vocational rehab yet. Is this something Washington state offers or is it federal?

Both! Washington has the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) and there are also federal programs. They can provide job training, placement assistance, and workplace accommodations.

That's really good advice. I'm going to start a folder with all my documents before I make any moves.

smart move. also take notes during phone calls with dates and who you talked to. saved me when washington esd tried to say i never reported something

How long did the whole process take for you from start to finish?

About 4 months total, but I was getting partial unemployment benefits during the adjudication period. The key was staying on top of all the requests for additional information.

Good point. I assume I'd need to focus my job search on part-time or accommodated positions then?

Exactly. And keep records of any employers who can't provide necessary accommodations - that counts as a valid reason for not accepting a job offer.

Ugh, that's frustrating but good to know. I guess I should start the process soon if I'm going to do it.

Yeah, the wait times are brutal right now. That's another reason I ended up using Claimyr - when my claim got stuck in adjudication, I needed to actually talk to someone to understand what was happening instead of just waiting and wondering.

That's probably the smartest approach. Do you have any recommendations for disability attorneys in Washington?

I'd recommend checking with the Washington State Bar Association for referrals. They have a lawyer referral service that can match you with attorneys who specialize in disability law.

Oh wow, I hadn't even thought about that possibility. That could be financially devastating.

yeah thats why getting legal advice first is probably smart. better to know your chances upfront than get hit with a huge overpayment notice later

That's encouraging to hear! Did she have to get a lawyer for the appeal or handle it herself?

She handled the first appeal herself with help from her doctor, but got an attorney when it went to the second level. Having professional help definitely made the difference.

Thanks everyone for all the detailed responses. I think I'm going to consult with a disability attorney first before making any moves. This is clearly more complex than I initially thought.

That's a wise decision. Having professional guidance from the start can save you a lot of headaches down the road. Good luck with whatever you decide!

That's a good way to think about it. Did you end up qualifying for unemployment while on disability?

Yes, but it took some back and forth with Washington ESD. I had to provide medical documentation and prove I was actively looking for work within my limitations.

Yikes, that's exactly what I'm trying to avoid. Better to be upfront and deal with potential issues than hide things.

Thank you so much for all this information. I feel much more prepared to tackle this situation now.

Good luck! Don't get discouraged if it takes some time to sort out. The system is complex but people do successfully navigate these situations.

Good point about job search requirements. I assume I'd need to focus on jobs that accommodate my disability?

Exactly. You'd want to document your search for positions that match your abilities and any accommodations you need. Keep detailed records of your job search activities.

Same here. It's nice to see people actually helping each other instead of just complaining.

Where can I find more information about how they define suitable work for someone with disabilities?

It should be in the Washington ESD handbook or you can ask about it when you speak with an agent. The definition generally takes into account your skills, experience, and any physical or mental limitations that affect your ability to work.

That's exactly what I need - to talk to an actual person who can review my specific situation. I'm going to check out that Claimyr thing.

Yeah, it was worth it just to get definitive answers about my eligibility instead of guessing and worrying about it.

You can potentially collect both simultaneously if you meet the eligibility requirements for each program. They're administered by different agencies and serve different purposes, so there's no rule that you have to choose one or the other.

Okay that makes sense. I was worried it was an either/or situation.

Good advice. I've been keeping most of that stuff but I should probably get more organized about it.

Definitely worth being organized about. I keep separate folders for each agency and update them regularly.

I hadn't thought about that. My SSDI is only about $800/month though, so hopefully that won't completely eliminate my UI eligibility.

At that level it shouldn't eliminate your UI entirely, but it will probably reduce the weekly amount you receive. The exact calculation depends on Washington ESD's current offset formula.

Seriously! I've learned more from this thread than from hours of trying to research this on government websites.

Same here. Real people sharing real experiences is so much more helpful than trying to decipher bureaucratic language.

That's really encouraging to hear! Did you have any issues during the process or did it go smoothly once you got everything set up?

There was a brief period where Washington ESD questioned my work availability and I had to provide additional documentation from my doctor, but once I did that everything went smoothly.

That's really smart. I'll make sure to ask for written confirmation of anything important when I finally get to speak with someone.

Exactly. Phone conversations are great for getting information, but written documentation is what matters if there are ever any problems.

This is such valuable advice! I've been burned before by relying on verbal promises from government agencies. Having everything documented in writing really does make a difference when you need to reference what you were told months later. I learned this the hard way with a different benefits issue - ended up in a he-said-she-said situation that could have been avoided with proper documentation.