Washington ESD - what happens if you become disabled while on unemployment benefits?

You'll need to report this change to Washington ESD immediately. When you become unable to work due to a medical condition, you're no longer considered 'able and available' for work, which is a requirement for UI benefits. You should stop filing weekly claims once you're medically unable to work.

this happened to my sister last year, she had to switch from unemployment to short term disability through the state. i think its called paid family medical leave or something like that

I went through something similar and had trouble getting through to Washington ESD to report the change. Their phone lines are always busy. I ended up using Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get connected to an actual agent who walked me through the process. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Really helped me avoid making mistakes with my claim status.

WAIT - don't just stop filing! I made this mistake and it created a huge mess. You need to officially notify Washington ESD about your change in circumstances first, then they'll tell you when to stop filing. If you just stop without notifying them, it can look like you abandoned your claim.

The whole system is so confusing!! Why can't they make it easier to understand what happens when your situation changes? I've been on unemployment for 2 months and still don't understand half the rules.

Here's what you need to know about PFML vs UI benefits: You generally cannot receive both at the same time. PFML provides partial wage replacement when you're unable to work due to your own serious health condition. You'd need to apply separately through the PFML program, and eligibility depends on your work history and premium payments.

my sister said the PFML pays better than unemployment too but the application process takes forever

Just a heads up - make sure you have all your medical documentation ready before you apply for anything. Doctors are slow to fill out paperwork and both programs will want detailed info about your condition and recovery timeline.

Been there done that with the medical leave stuff. The key thing is DON'T let there be a gap where you're not covered by anything. Plan the transition carefully.

To clarify the timeline: Report your change in work availability to Washington ESD as soon as you know about the surgery. Continue filing weekly claims until you're actually unable to work. Apply for PFML before your surgery if possible. The programs have different start dates and eligibility periods.

Whatever you do, keep detailed records of all your communications with both agencies. Date, time, who you talked to, what they said. Trust me on this one.

Update on my earlier comment about Claimyr - I used them again last week when I had questions about my job search requirements. Really streamlined the process of getting through to someone who could give me definitive answers about my specific situation.

Can I just say how stressful this all is? Like you're already dealing with health problems and then you have to navigate all this bureaucracy on top of it. The system should be more compassionate.

One more important point: If your disability is work-related, you might also need to consider L&I (Labor & Industries) benefits instead of or in addition to PFML. That's a completely different system with different rules.

I switched from UI to PFML last year and the transition wasn't too bad once I figured out the process. The hardest part was getting my doctor to understand exactly what forms they needed to fill out.

just curious - what happens if you recover faster than expected? can you go back to regular unemployment if you're still looking for work?

The Washington State PFML website has a good calculator tool to estimate your benefits. Might be worth checking out to see what you could expect to receive.

Make sure you understand the waiting periods for both programs. PFML has a one-week waiting period, and UI has its own rules about when you can restart benefits.

I used Claimyr when I had to navigate a similar situation with medical leave. Their agents really knew the ins and outs of how the different benefit programs interact. Saved me a lot of confusion and potential mistakes.

Whatever you decide, act quickly. These programs have strict timelines and deadlines. Missing a deadline could affect your benefits for months.

I've been through a similar situation and here's my advice: Start by calling Washington ESD to report your upcoming surgery immediately - don't wait until you're actually unable to work. Then apply for PFML right away since it takes 6-8 weeks to process. The key is overlapping your applications so there's no gap in benefits. Also, ask your surgeon's office for all the medical documentation you'll need upfront - they're used to these requests. Keep detailed records of every conversation and form you submit. The transition between programs can be smooth if you plan it properly. Good luck with your surgery!