Fired right before maternity leave - Can I get unemployment after paid medical leave ends?

I think it depends on why exactly u were fired. If they really did fire u bc of the pregnancy that's discrimination and u should talk to a lawyer asap!!

Yes, you CAN apply for regular UI benefits after your Paid Family & Medical Leave ends. The key factor is that you need to be able, available, and actively seeking work when you apply for UI. Your situation is actually pretty common. When ESD reviews your claim, they'll look at why you were terminated. If they determine it wasn't for misconduct (and vague 'performance issues' without documentation often don't qualify as misconduct), you should be eligible. The timing between benefits would work like this: 1. Use your PFML benefits first when the baby arrives 2. Once PFML runs out, apply for UI if you're ready to return to work 3. Meet the job search requirements (3 activities weekly) I'd suggest gathering any positive performance reviews and documentation now while you still have access to prove the firing wasn't for cause. Good luck!

omg the same EXACT thing happened to my cousin last year!! they fired her like 3 weeks before her due date for some BS reason. she got the paid family leave and then applied for unemployment after that and did get approved. her boss tried to fight it but she had good reviews too so that helped her case a lot. hang in there!!

I work in HR (not for ESD) and can share some insight. In Washington, if you're fired for alleged performance issues but there's no documentation of warnings or a performance improvement plan, ESD often rules in the employee's favor. Your employer would need to prove misconduct, not just general dissatisfaction with performance. One thing to keep in mind: when you apply for UI after your PFML ends, make sure you're truly able and available to work full-time. If you have childcare arrangements and are actively looking for work, you should be eligible assuming the termination wasn't for misconduct. Also, keep in mind there's a waiting week for UI benefits, so plan your finances accordingly for that gap week between PFML and when UI payments would start.

BE CAREFUL with the timing here!!! I made a mistake when applying for UI after my medical leave and it caused a HUGE headache. Make sure when you file for UI that you're saying you're available to work RIGHT NOW, not that you'll be available soon. If you indicate any restrictions on your availability, they'll deny you and getting it fixed is a nightmare. Also, if your employer tries to fight your UI claim (which they probably will to avoid their rates going up), be ready to appeal. I had to go through an appeal hearing and ended up winning, but it delayed my benefits by 8 weeks. Start saving any documentation NOW.

I want to add one more important thing: when you file for UI after PFML, you'll need to report that you received PFML benefits when asked about other income during the application. This won't disqualify you, but you need to be honest about it. Also, your UI benefit amount will be calculated based on your highest-earning quarters in your base year, which should include your employment before being fired. So at least your benefit amount should still reflect your full-time wages.

Just wanted to say your employer sounds AWFUL and I'm sorry you're dealing with this while pregnant. The stress is the last thing you need right now. This is why we need better worker protections in this country!! Companies get away with this garbage all the time because they know most people won't have the resources to fight back.