Depression as disability for Washington ESD unemployment benefits - need guidance

Depression can definitely qualify as a disability for unemployment purposes in Washington. You'll need medical documentation from your therapist or doctor stating how your condition affects your ability to work. When you file your claim, there's a section where you can indicate you have a disability that limits your job search activities.

I went through this exact situation last year. The key is being upfront about your condition when you file. Washington ESD has accommodations for people with disabilities including modified job search requirements. You might only need to do 1-2 job contacts per week instead of the usual 3.

Just went through calling Washington ESD about a similar issue and couldn't get through for days. Finally used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me reach an actual person to discuss my disability accommodations. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Super helpful for getting real answers about complex situations like this.

Wait, I'm confused about something. If you have depression that prevents you from working, wouldn't you qualify for disability benefits instead of unemployment? I thought unemployment was for people who are able and available to work.

I've been on unemployment for depression-related job loss and the biggest thing is documenting EVERYTHING. Keep records of all your medical appointments, therapy sessions, and how your condition affects your daily life. Washington ESD may ask for additional documentation during the adjudication process.

This is such BS that people have to jump through hoops to get help when they're already struggling. The system should be more understanding of mental health issues.

Also wanted to mention - make sure you understand the difference between 'able and available' versus 'suitable work.' With depression, you might be able to work but only in certain environments or with specific accommodations. This is important for your job search log.

I had to deal with this when my anxiety got really bad. The WorkSource office was actually pretty helpful in understanding my situation once I explained it properly. They helped me find resources for both job training and mental health support.

One thing to be careful about - don't overstate your limitations when filing. I made that mistake and it caused issues later when they questioned whether I was truly available for work. Be honest but focus on what you CAN do with proper support.

Another tip - if you get denied initially, don't give up. I know someone who had to appeal their depression-related claim and eventually won. The key was getting a more detailed assessment from a psychiatrist rather than just therapy notes.

I'm dealing with bipolar disorder and got approved for unemployment after my last episode caused job loss. The trick was showing that I was stable enough to work but needed accommodations. Got connected with vocational rehabilitation services through the process too.

Just want to add that having a case manager or social worker can be really helpful with this process. They often know the ins and outs of the system and can help advocate for you.

Update on my earlier comment about Claimyr - I used them again this week to get clarification on my disability accommodations and they were able to connect me with someone who actually understood the rules. Saved me tons of time and stress.

Does anyone know if therapy appointments count as valid reasons for not being available for work on certain days? I have twice weekly sessions that are really important for my stability.

The hardest part for me was explaining to potential employers why I left my last job. Some places are understanding about mental health, others... not so much. But that's a whole other conversation.

Quick question - if you're on medication for depression, do you need to disclose that during the unemployment process? I'm worried about privacy issues.

For what it's worth, I was really anxious about this whole process but Washington ESD was more understanding than I expected. The adjudication took a while but they ultimately approved my claim with accommodations.

Last thing I'll add - if you end up needing to appeal or have complex issues, consider getting help from a legal aid organization. Many offer free assistance for unemployment cases involving disabilities.

I'm going through something very similar right now with anxiety and PTSD. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly helpful - I had no idea about the modified job search requirements or that therapy appointments counted as valid unavailability reasons. It's reassuring to know that Washington ESD does have accommodations for mental health conditions, even though the process seems overwhelming. I'm planning to get documentation from my psychiatrist and contact WorkSource based on the advice here. Thank you all for sharing your experiences - it makes me feel less alone in dealing with this.