ESD denied me before medical leave - can I reapply after paid leave ends?

Yes, you can absolutely reapply! Your situation has changed significantly, which is what matters to ESD. Since you're now medically cleared to work (even with restrictions) and your paid leave is ending, you meet the basic eligibility requirements of being able and available for work. The previous denial was based on your past circumstances that no longer apply. Make sure you have documentation from your doctor showing you're cleared to work, even with restrictions. When you reapply, clearly explain in the application how your situation has changed since the previous denial.

I went thru the EXACT same thing last year!!!! I had knee surgery and got denied before surgery then when my L&I ran out I tried again. They denied me AGAIN sayin I was the same person with same claim!!!! Had to FIGHT for 6 weeks to get someone to acutally READ my case notes. THE SYSTEM IS RIGGED!!!

hope u get it figured out. i'm just wondering what kind of jobs you're applying for with the restrictions? my brother had back surgery and had a hard time finding work after

If you're having trouble reaching ESD to discuss your specific case (which I definitely had after my surgery last year), I'd recommend trying Claimyr. It saved me hours of frustration - they get you connected with an actual ESD agent without the endless busy signals and hang-ups. I watched their video demo (https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3) and was skeptical, but it actually worked. The website is claimyr.com if you want to check it out. In your situation, talking directly with an agent about the previous denial and your changed circumstances might help a lot.

As an important clarification: You should file a NEW claim rather than trying to reopen the denied one. Since your circumstances have changed (1. You're now medically cleared to work, 2. Your paid leave is ending, 3. You're actively job searching), you should qualify under the changed circumstances. Make sure to clearly document all of this. ESD considers three main factors for eligibility: - Able to work (your doctor's note addresses this with restrictions) - Available for work (no longer on medical leave) - Actively seeking suitable work (your job search activity) If your new claim is denied, immediately file an appeal and specifically explain how your circumstances differ from the previous denial. The appeal deadline is 30 days from the denial notice.

just wondering... did u get denied or disqualified? cuz theres a difference and it matters for reapplying i think

I'm dealing with a similar situation but reversed - was on UI then had emergency surgery and now my claim is messed up. One thing to remember is the job search requirements - you need to do 3 job search activities every week and document them. Are you able to meet this requirement with your current restrictions? That might affect your claim too.

Watch out they might say you committed fraud if you were on paid medical leave and applying for unemployment at the same time!!! They're always looking for ways to deny claims!!

One more thing to consider: When you file your new claim, ESD will use your base year earnings to determine eligibility. Depending on when you worked before your surgery and how long you've been on medical leave, make sure you have enough qualifying wages in your base year. The base year is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file your claim. If your paid medical leave counts as wages (some does, some doesn't depending on the program), this may actually help your claim.

I went through something similar after my knee replacement surgery last year. The key thing that helped me was being very clear in my new application about the timeline and how my circumstances had completely changed. I included a brief timeline in the "additional information" section: denied X date due to upcoming surgery, surgery completed on Y date, medical clearance received Z date, now actively seeking work. Also, make sure you keep all your job search documentation organized from day one - I used a simple spreadsheet with company name, position, date applied, and method (online, email, etc.). ESD loves detailed records and it shows you're serious about finding work. One tip: when you do your weekly certifications, there's often a question about whether anything has changed in your ability to work. This is where you can reference your medical clearance if needed. Good luck with your recovery and the new claim!