Can you get short term disability and unemployment at the same time in Washington state?

Generally speaking, you cannot collect both unemployment and disability benefits simultaneously in Washington state. The reason is that unemployment requires you to be able and available for work, while disability benefits are for when you're unable to work due to a medical condition. These are contradictory states.

I tried to do this last year and Washington ESD made me choose. You have to certify each week that you're able and available for work when you file your weekly claim. If you're on disability, you're basically saying you're NOT able to work.

This is actually a really common question and the rules are pretty strict. You need to contact Washington ESD directly to discuss your specific situation. I had a similar issue and used Claimyr to get through to an actual agent - way easier than trying to call the regular number. Check out claimyr.com, they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that explains how it works.

the system is so confusing! why cant they just let you get both if you need them??? I'm in a similar boat with a back injury but still need money coming in

You definitely need to stop your UI claims before applying for disability. I made the mistake of not reporting this properly and had to deal with an overpayment situation. Washington ESD takes this stuff seriously.

What about FMLA? Can you use that while on unemployment?

So if I understand correctly, I need to choose between continuing my unemployment claim or applying for short-term disability? There's no way to do both even if my condition is temporary?

I went through this exact situation two years ago. Had to choose between my UI benefits and short-term disability after a surgery. The disability paid more so I went with that, then reopened my unemployment claim after I recovered.

The key thing is being honest about your situation. Don't try to hide the disability from Washington ESD or hide the unemployment from your disability provider. They can cross-reference these things.

Wait, what if the short-term disability is through your former employer but you're looking for a new job? Can you collect UI while looking and then start disability if you don't find anything?

Have you looked into Washington State's Paid Family and Medical Leave program? That might be different from short-term disability through your employer.

This happened to my sister last year. She was collecting unemployment when she got into a car accident. Had to stop the UI claim immediately and apply for disability instead. Washington ESD was pretty understanding about the situation when she explained it.

For situations like this, I really recommend using Claimyr to speak with a Washington ESD representative. The rules around concurrent benefits are complex and your specific medical situation might have nuances that affect your eligibility. Better to get official guidance than guess.

Just remember that if you're receiving short-term disability, you'll need to report that income when you eventually restart your unemployment claim. They ask about all income during your certification.

this whole system is designed to make things as complicated as possible for people who are already struggling smh

One thing to consider is which benefit pays more and for how long. Short-term disability might pay a higher percentage of your salary but for a limited time, while unemployment could last longer but pay less.

Make sure you understand the timeline too. Some short-term disability policies have waiting periods before benefits kick in, while unemployment is usually available right away if you qualify.

I would document everything - when you stop UI, when you start disability, medical records, communications with both programs. Keep a paper trail in case there are any questions later.

Bottom line - contact Washington ESD before making any changes to your claim. Explain your medical situation and get their guidance on the proper way to transition from UI to disability benefits. Using a service like Claimyr can help you actually reach someone who can give you official guidance rather than forum speculation.

Hope everything works out for you OP. Health issues are stressful enough without worrying about benefits complications.

I went through something similar a few months ago. The key is timing and communication. When I realized I needed to switch from UI to short-term disability, I called Washington ESD first to let them know I was stopping my claim due to a medical condition. Then I applied for the STD benefits through my former employer. Make sure there's no overlap in the dates - even one day can cause problems. Also, keep all your medical documentation organized because both programs may request it. The transition back to UI later was smoother because I had been upfront about everything from the start.