r/UnemploymentWA • u/0llie0llie • Dec 01 '25

RESOLVED Collecting PFML then UI?

I am approved for the paid family medical leave benefit because my mother has cancer and I’ve had to miss out on a decent bit of work to help take care of her. I still have another 140 hours of benefits left, paying up to 20 hours a week if I don’t work that week at all.

I returned to work today and was informed by my manager that, due to no fault of my own and only due to budget-related reasons, my contract will not be extended at the end of this month. He and I already discussed this possibility before my most recent absence so it’s not a surprise and I don’t blame him at all. He’s been very supportive of me. He’ll provide a good reference and will even share feedback on refining my portfolio so I can job hunt more effectively.

I believe my contract expires on December 31. By my estimate, I would have about two months of PFML money left to claim and collect.

Would I be able to continue collecting the PFML benefit funds until it runs out once I’m jobless, and then start collecting unemployment after that? Or do I have to file for unemployment immediately after losing my job?

Would it be better to alternate weeks for which benefit I claim to keep them both active and extend them? I believe I can only collect one or the other in a given week, not both. Since PFML pays more, I would prefer to use up that entire benefit before collecting unemployment.

ALSO: I am not married and my employer provides my health insurance. I understand that many subsidies for health insurance are expiring now, but I would rather have some kind of health insurance instead of nothing. In order to buy insurance from the state, should I file for unemployment on January 1?

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u/SoThenIThought_ Admin for WEBA.Law, WA Unemployment Benefits Dec 01 '25

Would I be able to continue collecting the PFML benefit funds until it runs out once I’m jobless, and then start collecting unemployment after that? Or do I have to file for unemployment immediately after losing my job?

I think it would be good for you to review the handbook because when I say that by doing that you are certifying that there is a medical reason you cannot work and need to claim benefits and that if thats not true that can end poorly...most people need to read it themselves to drop the idea.

Apply for UI the Sunday following the separation (you cannot apply sooner) and make sure to give ESD a copy of the soonest/earliest dated letter from a physician saying you can work (which I assume you have if your already working)

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u/0llie0llie Dec 01 '25

My medical leave runs until the end of February, so I think that I would be eligible to work in March. That’s roughly when my PFML benefits would run out anyway.

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u/SoThenIThought_ Admin for WEBA.Law, WA Unemployment Benefits Dec 01 '25

you are eligible to work ... right now

I returned to work today

you do not need to wait for the paid leave time to be over to apply for unemployment. You just cannot claim under both claims in any given week.

Many people have to leave benefits unused because they get better before the end of the benefit year

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u/0llie0llie Dec 01 '25

So I can have both claims open, but I cannot claim each one in the same week? That’s what I was planning on doing, only do a weekly claim for one of them. Ideally using all of PFML first.

I’ll review that guidebook you shared.

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u/SoThenIThought_ Admin for WEBA.Law, WA Unemployment Benefits Dec 01 '25

Are you under the impression that you have to wait until your paid leave claim ends to start an unemployment claim?

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u/0llie0llie Dec 01 '25

I wasn’t, but it seems like it would be simpler to not collect UI until PFML is closed. I would apply for unemployment immediately to open my case, but not actually file any claims to collect UI funds until March.

FWIW I’ve missed about six weeks of work sporadically until now, so I’ve been capable of working but had to pause a few times. My paid leave letter date was from early Sept 2025 until end of Feb 2026.

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u/drossdragon Dec 03 '25

If you file for UI while you are still eligible for PFML you will be considered not Able and Available for work and would not be able to claim UI until the conditions that make you eligible for PFML no longer exist. You could open a claim but would not qualify until you are no longer in the circumstances for PFML.

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u/0llie0llie Dec 03 '25

I don’t mind waiting to open the claim. However, I have the PFML claim open right now while I am currently working. That’s made it a little confusing