Washington ESD unemployment while on medical leave - is this allowed?
I've been out of work for 6 weeks on medical leave through FMLA but my short-term disability benefits just ended. My doctor says I still can't return to work for at least another month. Can I file for Washington ESD unemployment benefits while I'm still technically on medical leave? I'm confused about whether being unable to work due to medical reasons disqualifies me from UI benefits. My employer hasn't terminated me yet but I'm not sure how much longer they'll hold my position.
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Xan Dae
Unfortunately, to qualify for Washington ESD unemployment benefits you need to be able and available for work. If you're on medical leave and unable to work, you typically won't qualify for regular UI benefits. However, there might be some nuances depending on your specific situation.
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Isaiah Sanders
•That's what I was afraid of. What about when my doctor clears me to return but my employer can't take me back? Would I qualify then?
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Xan Dae
•Yes, once you're cleared to work and available for employment, you could potentially file for unemployment if your employer doesn't have a position for you.
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Fiona Gallagher
I was in a similar situation last year. Had surgery and was out for 3 months. Washington ESD told me I couldn't get UI while I was medically unable to work, but once my doctor cleared me and my job wasn't available anymore, I was able to file.
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Isaiah Sanders
•How long did it take for your claim to get approved after you filed?
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Fiona Gallagher
•About 2 weeks, but I had to provide medical documentation showing I was cleared to return to work.
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Thais Soares
You might want to check if you qualify for any state disability benefits while you're unable to work. Washington has some programs that might bridge the gap until you can file for unemployment.
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Isaiah Sanders
•I already exhausted my short-term disability. Are there other programs I should look into?
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Thais Soares
•Look into Washington State's Paid Family and Medical Leave program if you haven't already. There might be benefits you haven't claimed yet.
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Nalani Liu
This is so frustrating! I've been trying to get through to Washington ESD for weeks to ask this exact question but their phone lines are always busy. Has anyone found a way to actually talk to someone there?
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Axel Bourke
•I was having the same issue until I found Claimyr. It's a service that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents automatically. Check out their website at claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.
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Nalani Liu
•Is that legit? I'm desperate enough to try anything at this point.
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Axel Bourke
•Yeah, it worked for me. I was trying to reach them about my adjudication issue and got through the same day I used their service.
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Aidan Percy
The key requirement is being 'able and available' for work. If you're on medical leave and your doctor hasn't cleared you, you don't meet that requirement. But keep track of when your medical status changes because that's when you could potentially file.
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Isaiah Sanders
•Should I apply right when I'm cleared medically, or wait to see what happens with my job first?
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Aidan Percy
•Apply as soon as you're cleared and available for work, regardless of your current job status. Washington ESD will determine your eligibility based on your situation at that time.
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Fernanda Marquez
been there done that, you cant get unemployment while on medical leave, period. they will deny your claim faster than you can blink
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Isaiah Sanders
•Did you try to appeal or anything?
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Fernanda Marquez
•nope, it was pretty clear cut. doctor said i couldnt work, washington esd said no benefits. had to wait til i was cleared
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Xan Dae
One important thing to remember - if you do file for unemployment later when you're cleared to work, make sure you have documentation of your medical clearance. Washington ESD will want to verify that you meet the able and available requirement.
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Isaiah Sanders
•What kind of documentation do they usually want?
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Xan Dae
•Usually a doctor's note or medical clearance letter stating you're able to return to work without restrictions, or with specific restrictions that don't prevent you from working.
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Norman Fraser
Wait, I thought there were exceptions for certain medical situations? Like if you're able to do some types of work but not your previous job?
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Xan Dae
•You're thinking of partial disability situations. If you can work with restrictions, you might qualify for UI while looking for suitable work. But you still need to be available for some form of employment.
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Norman Fraser
•That makes sense. So it's not a complete blanket ban on medical leave situations.
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Kendrick Webb
The timing is really important here. I made the mistake of filing too early when I was still on medical restrictions and got denied. Had to refile later when I was fully cleared.
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Isaiah Sanders
•Did the denial affect your ability to file later?
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Kendrick Webb
•No, I was able to file a new claim once my situation changed. Just make sure you're honest about your availability when you do file.
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Nalani Liu
Update: I tried that Claimyr service someone mentioned and actually got through to Washington ESD today! The agent confirmed what everyone's been saying - no UI while medically unable to work, but I can file once I'm cleared and if my job situation changes.
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Isaiah Sanders
•That's great! Did they give you any other advice about your situation?
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Nalani Liu
•They said to keep all my medical documentation and be ready to provide it when I file. Also suggested I start looking into what other jobs I might be able to do once I'm cleared.
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Hattie Carson
This whole system is so confusing. Why can't they just have clear guidelines posted somewhere?
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Aidan Percy
•They do have guidelines on the Washington ESD website, but every situation is different so they can't cover every possible scenario.
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Hattie Carson
•I guess that's true. Still frustrating when you're dealing with it in real time.
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Destiny Bryant
my sister went through this exact thing last year, had to wait 2 months after her surgery before she could file for unemployment when her company laid her off while she was recovering
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Isaiah Sanders
•Did she have any income during those 2 months?
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Destiny Bryant
•she had some disability pay for part of it but there was definitely a gap where she had nothing coming in
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Fiona Gallagher
One more thing - if your employer terminates you while you're on medical leave, that could affect your unemployment claim later. Make sure you understand your rights under FMLA and any company policies.
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Isaiah Sanders
•Good point. I should probably talk to HR about their policy for holding positions during extended medical leave.
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Fiona Gallagher
•Definitely do that. Get everything in writing if possible.
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Dyllan Nantx
The 'able and available' requirement is really the key here. Washington ESD is pretty strict about it. If you can't work, you can't get unemployment. Simple as that.
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Isaiah Sanders
•Yeah, that seems to be the consensus. I'll just have to wait until I'm medically cleared.
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TillyCombatwarrior
Has anyone dealt with a situation where you're cleared for light duty but your employer doesn't have light duty positions available?
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Xan Dae
•That's a good question. If you're able to work with restrictions but your employer can't accommodate those restrictions, you might qualify for UI while looking for work that fits your limitations.
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TillyCombatwarrior
•That's what I was hoping. Seems like there might be some middle ground in certain situations.
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Anna Xian
Just want to echo what others have said - documentation is everything. Keep records of all your medical appointments, clearances, communications with your employer, everything.
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Isaiah Sanders
•Good advice. I've been keeping a file of everything related to my leave.
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Jungleboo Soletrain
The system really doesn't account well for the gap between when disability ends and when you're actually able to return to work. It's like you're expected to have no expenses during that time.
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Rajan Walker
•That's the reality unfortunately. The programs aren't designed to overlap or provide seamless coverage.
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Jungleboo Soletrain
•Right, you just have to plan for those gaps as best you can.
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Nadia Zaldivar
OP, definitely get that medical clearance in writing when the time comes. Washington ESD will want official documentation, not just your word that you're ready to work again.
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Isaiah Sanders
•Will do. Thanks for all the advice everyone. This has been really helpful.
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Lukas Fitzgerald
One last thought - start thinking now about your job search strategy for when you're cleared. Washington ESD requires active job searching, so having a plan ready will help you hit the ground running.
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Isaiah Sanders
•That's smart. I should probably start updating my resume and identifying potential employers now.
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Lukas Fitzgerald
•Exactly. Use this time to prepare so you're ready to go when you can officially start looking.
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Ev Luca
Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences. It's clear that the timing and documentation are crucial. I'll wait until I'm medically cleared and have everything properly documented before filing with Washington ESD.
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Xan Dae
•That sounds like the right approach. Good luck with your recovery and future job search!
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Isaiah Sanders
•Thanks! Hopefully I'll be back to work soon and won't need to file for unemployment at all.
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