Can you get unemployment for pregnancy in Washington ESD?

So I'd have to stop my weekly claims once I have the baby? What if I'm only planning to take 6-8 weeks off?

Right, you'd need to stop filing during any period where you're not available for work. You can resume once you're ready to return to work and actively searching.

Did you have any issues starting your claims back up after your recovery?

Nope, just had to call Washington ESD to reactivate my claim and confirm I was able and available again. Took like 10 minutes.

Wait, how do you even get through to Washington ESD on the phone? I've been trying for weeks and can never reach anyone.

This sounds too good to be true. How much does it cost?

I was skeptical too but it actually worked. They don't require any personal info upfront and the value is worth it when you need to talk to someone about claim issues.

Oh I didn't even know about PFML! Is that through Washington ESD too?

PFML is administered by Washington ESD but it's a completely different program. You should look into both options to see what works best for your situation.

PFML is amazing! I used it when my son was born. You get partial wage replacement and don't have to worry about job searching requirements.

Did Washington ESD give you any grief about being pregnant while filing?

Not at all. As long as you're able and available for work, pregnancy doesn't disqualify you from unemployment benefits.

Right? And good luck getting clear answers from Washington ESD without spending half your life on hold.

That's exactly why I ended up using Claimyr. Sometimes you just need to talk to a real person who can explain your specific situation.

Do I need to mention in interviews that I'm pregnant? I'm worried employers won't want to hire someone who's about to take maternity leave.

You're not required to disclose pregnancy during the interview process. Just focus on meeting your job search requirements as outlined by Washington ESD.

This is such a hard position to be in though. The whole system feels like it's not designed for pregnant women.

In Washington, pregnancy by itself isn't considered a disability for unemployment purposes. You need to be unable to work due to the pregnancy, not just pregnant.

Got it, thanks for clarifying. So many different rules to keep track of.

Good luck! At least we're not alone in this situation.

You'll be fine! Just be honest about your situation and don't overthink it.

If you're medically unable to work, that would affect your ability to collect unemployment since you have to be available for work. You might need to look into other benefits at that point.

Yeah, bed rest would definitely impact your 'able and available' status. You'd probably need to pause your UI claims during that time.

That makes sense. I guess I just need to take it week by week and be honest about my status.

Exactly. And don't hesitate to call if you have questions about your specific situation.

Good advice. I'll look into PFML requirements this week.

Yes, don't wait until the last minute on PFML. I learned that the hard way.

Yes, you can't collect both benefits at the same time. You'd need to stop your UI claims when PFML starts.

Thanks, that's what I figured but wanted to make sure.

Right? It's like you need a degree just to understand what you're eligible for.

That's another reason I liked using Claimyr - the agents can actually explain how different programs interact instead of just reading from a script.

No, it was definitely a layoff. They eliminated three positions including mine due to budget cuts. I have the paperwork to prove it.

Perfect, then you shouldn't have any issues with the initial claim. Just focus on the ongoing requirements.

That's reassuring to hear. I'm dreading the job search part but it sounds manageable.

Just remember you're proving you're actively seeking work, not that you're going to get hired immediately. Big difference.

You've got this! Feel free to ask if you run into any issues with your claim.

Good luck! The most important thing is being honest about your situation every step of the way.