How to apply for Washington ESD unemployment while pregnant - need guidance
I'm 6 months pregnant and just lost my job due to company downsizing. I've never filed for unemployment before and I'm worried about how my pregnancy might affect my eligibility. I know I need to be able and available for work, but what happens when I get closer to my due date? Should I mention being pregnant when I file my initial claim? I'm really stressed about this whole process and need to make sure I do everything correctly so I don't get disqualified.
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Oliver Schulz
You don't need to mention your pregnancy when filing your initial claim. Washington ESD evaluates your ability to work at the time you file, not future circumstances. As long as you're currently able and available for work, you should qualify. You'll need to register with WorkSource and actively search for jobs each week.
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Amina Diallo
•That's reassuring, thank you! Do I need to tell potential employers I'm pregnant during job interviews?
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Oliver Schulz
•Legally, you're not required to disclose pregnancy during interviews, and employers can't ask about it either.
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Natasha Kuznetsova
I was in a similar situation last year. Filed at 7 months pregnant and had no issues with my initial claim approval. The key is being honest about your current availability - if you can work now, that's what matters for eligibility.
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Amina Diallo
•What happened when you actually had the baby? Did you have to stop filing weekly claims?
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Natasha Kuznetsova
•Yes, I had to stop filing when I couldn't work anymore. But I was able to apply for Paid Family Medical Leave through Washington ESD for maternity leave.
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AstroAdventurer
Just went through this process and it was way more complicated than I expected. Kept getting disconnected when trying to call Washington ESD to ask questions about my specific situation. Finally found Claimyr.com which helped me get through to an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows exactly how it works. Made the whole process so much less stressful.
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Amina Diallo
•I've never heard of Claimyr before. Is it legitimate? I'm nervous about using third-party services.
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AstroAdventurer
•It's totally legit - they just help you get through the phone queue to talk to Washington ESD directly. You're still talking to actual Washington ESD staff, not Claimyr employees.
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Javier Mendoza
•I used Claimyr too when my claim got stuck in adjudication. Worked exactly as advertised and saved me hours of calling.
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Emma Wilson
make sure you have all your paperwork ready before filing - last employer info, social security card, ID, etc. the online system times out if you take too long
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Amina Diallo
•Good point, I'll gather everything first. How long does the initial application usually take?
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Emma Wilson
•took me about 30 minutes but i had everything ready. some people say it takes longer if you have multiple employers
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Malik Davis
The pregnancy itself won't disqualify you, but Washington ESD will evaluate your ability to work on an ongoing basis. When you file your weekly claims, you'll need to certify that you're able and available for work. If your doctor puts you on bed rest or restricts your work activities, that could affect your eligibility.
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Amina Diallo
•So if I go on bed rest, I'd have to stop filing for unemployment? What happens to my claim then?
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Malik Davis
•You'd need to stop filing weekly claims if you're not able to work. Your claim would remain open but inactive. You might be eligible for Paid Family Medical Leave instead.
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Oliver Schulz
•Exactly right. PFML and unemployment serve different purposes - unemployment is for when you're able to work but don't have a job, PFML is for when you can't work due to medical reasons.
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Isabella Santos
Been there! The most important thing is to be completely honest on your weekly claims. If you can work, say yes. If your doctor restricts you, say no. Washington ESD doesn't care that you're pregnant as long as you meet the able and available requirements.
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Amina Diallo
•That makes sense. I'm definitely still able to work right now, so I should be fine for the initial claim.
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Isabella Santos
•Exactly! And don't stress too much about the future - you can always transition to PFML when the time comes.
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Ravi Gupta
UGH the Washington ESD system is so confusing for situations like this! I spent weeks trying to get a straight answer about pregnancy and unemployment. Ended up having to call like 50 times before I got through to someone who actually knew what they were talking about.
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Amina Diallo
•That's exactly what I'm worried about! Were you eventually able to get the help you needed?
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Ravi Gupta
•Yeah but it took forever. Wish I had known about services like Claimyr back then - would have saved me so much time and frustration.
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GalacticGuru
Quick tip - when you register with WorkSource, you can set your job search parameters to include remote work or part-time positions if those would work better with your pregnancy. Just make sure you're genuinely available for the jobs you're applying to.
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Amina Diallo
•Good idea! I was wondering about remote work options. Does Washington ESD accept remote job applications for the job search requirement?
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GalacticGuru
•Yes, as long as they're legitimate job applications and you're actually available for the positions. Keep good records of all your job search activities.
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Freya Pedersen
One thing to keep in mind - if you're planning to take extended maternity leave after the baby is born, you might want to look into PFML eligibility requirements now. There are specific work history requirements that might affect how much you can receive.
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Amina Diallo
•I haven't looked into PFML yet. Is that something I apply for through Washington ESD too?
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Freya Pedersen
•Yes, PFML is administered by Washington ESD but it's a separate program from unemployment. You can find info on their website under the Paid Leave section.
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Omar Fawaz
just file asap dont overthink it. i waited too long and lost out on benefits. pregnancy doesnt matter for initial eligibility
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Amina Diallo
•You're right, I need to stop overthinking and just file. How long did it take for your claim to get approved?
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Omar Fawaz
•mine was approved within a week but some people wait longer if theres issues with their claim
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Chloe Anderson
I'm a former Washington ESD employee and I can confirm that pregnancy status is not a factor in initial eligibility determination. We only look at your work history, reason for separation, and current ability to work. Document everything and be consistent in your responses.
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Amina Diallo
•That's really helpful to hear from someone who worked there! Any other tips for a smooth application process?
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Chloe Anderson
•Make sure your employer information is accurate and complete. Double-check your SSN and contact info. Most delays happen because of incomplete or incorrect information on the initial application.
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Diego Vargas
My sister went through this exact situation. She filed at 8 months pregnant and everything went smoothly. The key is understanding that able and available means right now, not months from now. When she couldn't work anymore, she switched to PFML.
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Amina Diallo
•Did she have any issues with the transition from unemployment to PFML?
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Diego Vargas
•No issues at all. She just stopped filing her weekly unemployment claims and applied for PFML when she needed it.
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Anastasia Fedorov
The Washington ESD website has a whole section about this under their FAQ. Basically, they treat pregnancy like any other medical condition - it only affects your eligibility if it prevents you from working.
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Amina Diallo
•I looked at their FAQ but found it kind of confusing. Maybe I need to read it again more carefully.
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Anastasia Fedorov
•Yeah their website can be hard to navigate. The important thing is that current ability to work is what matters for unemployment eligibility.
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StarStrider
Don't let anyone tell you that being pregnant automatically disqualifies you! I had someone at WorkSource tell me that and it was completely wrong. Pregnancy discrimination is illegal, even in unemployment situations.
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Amina Diallo
•Wow, that's concerning that someone at WorkSource would say that. Did you report them?
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StarStrider
•I should have but I was too stressed at the time. Just wanted to get my benefits sorted out.
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Sean Doyle
File online if possible - it's faster than calling and you get confirmation numbers for everything. Keep screenshots of your application and any confirmation pages.
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Amina Diallo
•Good advice about screenshots. I'll make sure to document everything as I go through the process.
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Sean Doyle
•Definitely! And keep all your paperwork organized. You might need it later if there are any questions about your claim.
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Zara Rashid
Remember that you need to be actively searching for work each week to maintain eligibility. This includes while pregnant. You can't just say you're looking - you need to actually apply for jobs and keep records.
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Amina Diallo
•How many jobs do I need to apply for each week? Is there a minimum number?
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Zara Rashid
•You need at least 3 job search activities per week. This can include applications, networking, interviews, or other approved activities.
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Luca Romano
If you run into any issues or need to speak with Washington ESD directly, I'd recommend using Claimyr. I used it when I had questions about my specific situation and it worked great. Much better than spending hours on hold.
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Amina Diallo
•A couple people have mentioned Claimyr now. I think I'll check it out if I run into problems.
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Luca Romano
•Yeah, it's really helpful when you need to talk to someone quickly. Saved me a lot of frustration.
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Nia Jackson
The bottom line is this: file your claim now while you're still able to work. Deal with future changes when they happen. You're overthinking it and potentially missing out on benefits you're entitled to.
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Amina Diallo
•You're absolutely right. I'm going to file today. Thank you everyone for all the helpful advice!
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Nia Jackson
•Good luck! You've got this. And remember, thousands of pregnant women file for unemployment every year without issues.
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