How to properly close my ESD unemployment claim to apply for PFMLA after having a baby?

Thank you so much! I had no idea they were completely different systems. One more question - does the 'no longer looking for work' option appear during the regular weekly claim process? I don't want to accidentally say I'm still job searching when I'm trying to close it.

Thanks for the warning about overpayment - that's exactly what I'm worried about! Did you have any issues with the gap between UI ending and PFMLA starting? I've heard it can take weeks for PFMLA to process.

This is why I HATE the ESD system! Why don't they make this clearer on their website?? Why are there TWO separate systems that don't talk to each other even though they're both run by the same agency? I had the same issue with PFMLA after surgery and got hit with an overpayment notice because nobody told me I had to officially close my UI claim!!

I used Claimyr when I needed to switch from UI to paid leave after my surgery. Totally worth it - got through to an actual person who walked me through the exact steps to close my claim properly. Saved me hours of frustration and probably prevented an overpayment nightmare.

This is incorrect for someone transitioning to PFMLA. Not filing weekly claims will keep your UI claim technically open but inactive. For PFMLA specifically, you need to officially indicate you're no longer available for work during your last weekly certification. Otherwise, there's a risk the systems will flag you as potentially eligible for both programs simultaneously, which can trigger an investigation. The proper procedure is to actively close the UI claim before applying for PFMLA.

Yes, the waiting week means the first week of your leave is unpaid. It's like a deductible week. So if you qualify for 12 weeks of PFMLA, you'll only be paid for 11 weeks. This is different from UI which eliminated the waiting week during COVID but has since brought it back. Make sure to budget for that unpaid week!

Congrats on getting through! One tip for the PFMLA application - make sure you have a clear medical certification form from your doctor. They're REALLY picky about how that form is filled out. My application was delayed by 3 weeks because the doctor left one field blank.

This is super helpful, thank you! Just to clarify - when you say "wait 1-2 business days for the system to process the closure" - did you get any kind of confirmation email or notification that your UI claim was officially closed? Or did you just wait the time period and then apply for PFMLA? I want to make sure I don't jump the gun and accidentally create an overlap.

@Aisha Mahmood This is exactly the kind of detailed walkthrough I needed! Quick question about the medical certification form - do I need to get that from my wife s'doctor since (she s'the one who gave birth or) from my own doctor? I m'taking the leave as the non-birthing parent, so I m'not sure whose medical provider needs to fill out the paperwork. Also, how long did your PFMLA application take to get approved once you submitted everything?

@Aisha Mahmood Thanks for sharing your experience! I m'in a similar boat - been on UI for about 6 weeks after a layoff and my partner is due next month. Your step-by-step breakdown is really reassuring. One thing I m'worried about though - did you have any income gap between when your UI ended and when PFMLA payments started? I keep hearing horror stories about people waiting weeks or even months for their first PFMLA check, and with a new baby on the way I m'stressed about covering expenses during any gap period.

@Aisha Mahmood This is incredibly helpful - thank you for laying out the process so clearly! I m'actually in almost the exact same situation new (dad, been on UI for 2 months and) was getting overwhelmed by all the conflicting information online. Your point about keeping screenshots is really smart - I never would have thought of that but it makes total sense given how these government systems can be unreliable. One follow-up question: when you selected no "longer available for work on" your final UI claim, did the system immediately show that your claim was closed, or did you have to wait to see the status change? I m'just trying to figure out how I ll'know for sure that the UI side is properly closed before I submit the PFMLA application. The last thing I want is to accidentally have both claims active at the same time! Also, did you run into any issues with the birth certificate requirement? Our baby was just born last week so I m'not sure how long it takes to get the official certificate from the state.