Is unemployment insurance the same as workers comp in Washington ESD?

No, they're completely different programs! Unemployment insurance (UI) through Washington ESD is for people who lose their jobs through no fault of their own. Workers comp is for workplace injuries and is handled through the Department of Labor & Industries, not Washington ESD.

Workers comp pays for medical bills and lost wages from work injuries. Unemployment insurance is when you're out of work and looking for a new job. Two totally separate systems in Washington state.

If you're still employed but can't work due to injury, you'd typically file for workers comp, not unemployment. If the injury causes you to lose your job, then you might apply for Washington ESD unemployment benefits later.

I was in a similar situation last year and it was so confusing trying to reach the right people. I spent hours calling Washington ESD thinking they handled workplace injuries before someone told me about L&I. Eventually found claimyr.com which helped me get through to the right Washington ESD representative when I did need to file for unemployment later. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

unemployment = lost your job, looking for work. workers comp = hurt at work, still employed. completely different departments too

The confusion is understandable because both deal with lost income, but the reasons are different. Washington ESD unemployment requires you to be able and available for work, which you wouldn't be if you're injured and on workers comp.

Been on both at different times. Workers comp pays 60% of wages for injury-related time loss. Washington ESD unemployment varies but is usually less than what you made working. Workers comp also covers medical expenses which unemployment definitely doesn't.

My employer tried to push me toward unemployment instead of workers comp when I got hurt. Don't let them do that! If it's a workplace injury, you deserve workers comp coverage for medical bills.

The key difference is the cause. Job loss = Washington ESD unemployment insurance. Workplace injury = workers compensation through L&I. If your injury leads to job loss later, then you might need both programs at different times.

Just went through this whole mess myself. Started on workers comp, couldn't return to full duty, employer eliminated my position, then had to apply for Washington ESD unemployment. The transition was confusing but both programs served their purpose at different stages.

Another important difference: workers comp doesn't require job searching. Washington ESD unemployment requires you to actively look for work and report your job search activities every week.

I tried calling Washington ESD for clarification on this exact question last month and spent 3 hours on hold before giving up. Finally used that claimyr service someone mentioned earlier and got through to an agent in 20 minutes. They confirmed that workplace injuries go through L&I, not Washington ESD, unless you lose your job.

To summarize for OP: If you're injured at work and still employed, file workers comp with L&I. If you lose your job (injured or not), file unemployment with Washington ESD. If injury leads to job loss, you might use both programs sequentially, not simultaneously.

One more thing - make sure you report your workplace injury to your employer immediately and get medical attention. Documentation is crucial for workers comp claims.

Hope your recovery goes smoothly! Workers comp should cover your medical treatment and time loss pay while you heal. Just don't expect the same level of benefits as your regular paycheck.