Can you get long term disability and unemployment at the same time Washington ESD?

This is a tricky situation and the rules are pretty specific. Generally speaking, to qualify for unemployment benefits in Washington, you need to be able and available for work. If you're receiving long-term disability, that usually means you're certifying that you cannot work due to your medical condition. Washington ESD considers this a conflict - you can't simultaneously claim you're unable to work (for disability) and able to work (for unemployment).

There might be some exceptions depending on your specific situation. If your disability allows you to do certain types of work (like sedentary work when you previously did physical labor), you could potentially qualify for unemployment while looking for suitable work within your restrictions. You'd need to get medical clearance stating what work you can do and register with WorkSource.

I went through this exact situation in 2023. I was on disability but my doctor eventually cleared me for light duty work. I had to get a letter from my doctor stating I was able to work with restrictions, then I applied for unemployment. It took forever to get through to Washington ESD to explain my situation though - kept getting hung up on after waiting on hold for hours. Finally used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to an actual agent who could review my case properly. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

be careful with this because if you collect both and theyre not supposed to overlap you could end up owing money back. happened to my cousin

The safest approach is to contact Washington ESD directly before applying for unemployment while on disability. They can review your specific medical restrictions and employment situation to determine eligibility. You'll likely need: 1) Medical documentation of your work restrictions, 2) Proof you're actively seeking work within those restrictions, 3) Registration with WorkSource WA for job search assistance.

I work in HR and deal with this question sometimes. The key distinction is whether your disability is total or partial. If you're on total disability, you typically cannot collect unemployment. If you're on partial disability or have work restrictions but can still perform some jobs, you might qualify for unemployment benefits while searching for suitable work.

Whatever you do, don't just start filing weekly claims without getting approval first. Washington ESD takes benefit fraud seriously and even if it's an honest mistake, you could face penalties. Get everything in writing from them before proceeding.

Has anyone tried appealing a denial for this situation? I got denied for UI while on partial disability last year but never followed up on it.

The able and available requirement is the biggest hurdle here. You have to certify weekly that you're able and available for work. If your disability documentation says otherwise, that creates a conflict Washington ESD will catch during adjudication.

I'm dealing with something similar right now. Been on short-term disability for 3 months and it's about to run out. My doctor says I can return to work with restrictions but my employer doesn't have any suitable positions. Wondering if I can transition to unemployment benefits.

DONT DO IT! I tried this and got in huge trouble. They made me pay everything back plus interest. Just stick with your disability benefits and dont risk it.

The timing matters too. If you're transitioning off disability and back to work availability, there's usually a specific process to follow. Don't overlap the benefits - end one before starting the other if possible.

I used Claimyr about 6 months ago for a different issue and it was worth it. Saved me weeks of trying to get through on the phone. The agent I spoke with was really knowledgeable about these complex situations.

Check with WorkSource WA too. They have disability employment specialists who understand these situations and can help you navigate both the job search requirements and benefit coordination.

Bottom line - get professional advice before making any moves. This isn't something to guess about given the potential consequences.

One more thing - if you do get approved for both, make sure you report the disability income on your weekly unemployment claims. Failure to report other income is considered fraud even if it's an oversight.

Thanks everyone for all the advice. This has been really helpful in understanding what I'm dealing with. I'm going to contact Washington ESD and get official guidance before making any decisions.