Can you get maternity leave and unemployment benefits in Washington?

Oh I didn't know about PFML! Is that through Washington ESD too or a different agency?

PFML is administered by ESD but it's a completely different program. You apply through their website and it pays up to 12 weeks for bonding with a new baby.

That sounds amazing! Did you have any issues with the application process?

It was pretty straightforward but I had trouble getting through to ESD when I had questions. Ended up using claimyr.com to actually reach someone - they have a phone service that gets you through to agents. There's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

This is exactly right. A lot of people get confused about this but they're totally different programs with different eligibility rules.

That makes sense. I was thinking unemployment was just for when you're not working, but the work search requirement changes everything.

That's a different situation. If you voluntarily quit your job after maternity leave to stay home, you typically wouldn't qualify for unemployment because you quit voluntarily. But if your employer eliminates your position while you're on leave, that could be different.

Oh wow, I didn't realize voluntary quitting disqualified you. Good to know!

30 days before? I better get on this soon then. Do you know if there are any other requirements?

You need to have worked enough hours and earned enough wages in the past year, similar to unemployment requirements. Check the ESD website for the exact numbers.

I know it seems complicated but they serve different purposes. Unemployment is for people who lose their jobs through no fault of their own, while PFML is for people who need time off for family or medical reasons but plan to return to work.

I'll need to check with HR about that. I think we have to use our sick leave first.

Exactly. And if you have any issues with your employer during this process, document everything. Sometimes employers don't understand PFML requirements either.

That's exactly why I mentioned Claimyr earlier. They specialize in getting people through to ESD agents when the regular lines are jammed.

Wish I had known about that service when I was dealing with my claim issues!

Thank you, that's really clear. I'm going to start the PFML application process this week.

Good advice. I'm definitely going to be super organized about this.

Smart move. And congratulations on your upcoming arrival!

If your employer illegally terminates you while you're on protected PFML leave, that could potentially qualify you for unemployment benefits since it wouldn't be a voluntary quit. But that's a complex situation that might require legal advice.

That's scary to think about. I hope most employers follow the law on this stuff.

Do you know what the cap is for 2025?

I think it's around $1,500 per week but you should check the ESD website for the current numbers since they adjust it annually.

My applications went through fine both times, but I was very careful to submit everything correctly and on time. The key is following their instructions exactly.

If you do run into issues, don't hesitate to use a service like Claimyr to get through to someone who can help. It's worth it for peace of mind when you're dealing with something this important.

You can work part-time while on PFML but you need to report any earnings and it may reduce your benefit amount. There are specific rules about how much you can earn before it affects your benefits.

Thanks, I'll look into those rules. Good to know it's possible though.

Same here! So glad I asked this question because I was totally confused about the difference between unemployment and PFML.

Good point. I'll need to make sure I have some savings to cover that first week.

Exactly. And if you have any paid leave from your employer, you might want to use that for the waiting period.

Yes, you can use both programs but at different times for different reasons. They're both insurance programs you pay into while working, so you're entitled to benefits from both if you meet the eligibility requirements.

Exactly! I feel much more confident about my options now. Thanks everyone for all the helpful advice!

Will do! I'm going to start gathering all my paperwork this weekend.