Need to file for one sick week after quitting UI claims - will reopening delay benefits?

yuo need 2 know that if ur claiming benefits while sick ESD prob wont pay u. when ur on UI u have to be ABLE AND AVAILABLE for work. being sick means u arent available. so even if u open ur claim u may not get anything for that week anyway

When you reopen a claim, it's not as complicated as your initial application in most cases. The system basically needs to know if there have been any major changes to your employment situation since you last filed. Here's what you should understand: 1. Reopening usually doesn't trigger a full adjudication unless something in your answers raises a flag 2. You should be able to file for that specific week once the claim is reopened 3. The process typically takes 1-3 days for approval if there are no complications However, there's an important catch - as the previous commenter mentioned, you must be able and available for work during the week you're claiming. Being ill might disqualify you unless you have a temporary disability claim. Regular UI doesn't cover sick time, unfortunately.

when i reopened my claim last month it only took like 2 days to process but then they asked for a bunch of job search logs from weeks i wasnt even claiming!!! make sure you keep good records

The whole "able and available" thing is ESD's favorite excuse to deny benefits! I was out for 3 days with a migraine and they disqualified my ENTIRE WEEK even though I could have worked the other 2 days. It's ridiculous. The system is designed to pay out as little as possible. Here's what I'd do in your situation - call ESD directly and ask about your specific case before reopening anything. But GOOD LUCK getting through to an actual human being!!! I spent DAYS trying to reach someone when I had a similar issue.

Since you already have a part-time job, have you considered applying for Paid Family & Medical Leave (PFML) instead of unemployment? It's a different program but might cover your situation better since it's specifically for health issues. In 2025, the benefit calculation might actually work in your favor with your part-time hours. Just a thought!

To answer your follow-up question - PFML does have a waiting week, so for just a single week illness, it probably wouldn't help much. It's more beneficial for conditions lasting at least two weeks. Unfortunately, there's a gap in our social safety net for short-term illnesses unless your employer offers sick pay.

After reading through the discussion, here's my recommendation: 1. Don't reopen your claim just for one week of illness - you likely won't qualify under able and available rules 2. If your part-time employer offers any sick time, even retroactively, that would be a better option 3. If you decide to contact ESD anyway, be prepared with your doctor's note, though it may not change the outcome 4. For future reference, keep your claim active during part-time work by continuing to file weekly and reporting your earnings - this keeps your claim open for weeks when your hours are reduced Unfortunately, in Washington, there's no perfect program for your specific situation - a short-term illness while working part-time.