Thanks everyone for all the helpful responses! I feel like I understand the difference now and can stop worrying about whether I'm doing something wrong with my unemployment claim.

I went through the same confusion when I first started my unemployment claim! The acronyms and similar-sounding program names make it so much harder than it needs to be. What helped me was thinking of it this way: Washington ESD unemployment is temporary income replacement while you're actively looking for work, while SSI is long-term support for people who can't work due to permanent disabilities. Completely different situations and agencies. You're doing nothing wrong by collecting your UI benefits - that's exactly what the program is designed for!

One more thing - if you disagree with your benefit calculation you can appeal it, but you need to do it within 30 days of getting your monetary determination. Don't wait if you think there's an error.

Based on your $52k salary, you should expect around $600-700 per week in unemployment benefits. Washington calculates this using 3.85% of your highest quarter earnings from your base period (the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters). The current maximum is $999/week, minimum is $295/week. Don't forget you'll need to do 3 job search activities per week and log them in WorkSourceWA. Also consider having the 10% federal taxes withheld automatically to avoid a big tax bill later. File your weekly claims on time every week or you'll lose that week's benefits entirely.

Bottom line - working while claiming unemployment is totally legal in Washington as long as you report it. The problems only start when people try to hide work or earnings.

This is such valuable information! I'm in a similar situation working reduced hours at a restaurant while getting partial benefits. It's reassuring to know that being honest and reporting everything is the right approach. One thing I learned from my experience is to keep detailed records of all your reported earnings and hours - I screenshot my weekly claim confirmations just in case I ever need to reference them later. Washington ESD's system can be glitchy sometimes and having your own records gives peace of mind.

I'm so sorry you're going through this - workplace mental health issues are incredibly difficult to deal with. I had a similar situation about 8 months ago where my job was severely impacting my anxiety and panic attacks. One thing I learned is that ESD really wants to see that you explored ALL options before quitting. Beyond just complaining to HR, they like to see evidence that you requested specific accommodations under the ADA, asked for FMLA leave, or requested a transfer to a different department/supervisor. Even if these requests were denied, having documentation that you asked shows you were trying to preserve your employment. Also, make sure your therapist's documentation is very specific about how the workplace environment was directly causing or worsening your condition. Generic statements about having anxiety/depression aren't as strong as detailed notes connecting specific workplace incidents to your symptoms. The process is stressful, but don't give up if you get initially denied. I had to appeal twice before my claim was approved, but it was worth the fight. Your mental health is valid and important!

I'm currently in a very similar situation and this thread has been incredibly helpful. I've been dealing with severe burnout and panic attacks that my doctor says are directly caused by my hostile work environment. My manager has been creating impossible situations for me and then publicly humiliating me when I can't meet unrealistic expectations. Reading everyone's experiences, it sounds like the key is really thorough documentation and showing you tried everything possible before quitting. I'm going to start documenting every incident and formally request accommodations through HR before I make any decisions about leaving. For those who have been through this process - how specific do the therapist/doctor notes need to be? Should they mention specific workplace incidents, or is it enough for them to state that the work environment is causing the mental health issues? Also, has anyone had success getting approved without having to go through the appeal process, or does it seem like appeals are almost always necessary for mental health-related voluntary quits?

Thanks for asking this question OP. I'm sure there are other people in similar situations who will benefit from reading this discussion and learning about the resources that were shared.

I work with immigrant communities and wanted to add that some cities and counties in Washington have their own emergency assistance programs that don't have the same federal restrictions as unemployment benefits. King County, for example, has emergency rental assistance and other support programs. It's worth checking with your local city hall or county offices to see what's available in your specific area. Also, many community colleges offer free job training programs that could help you transition to other types of work while you're dealing with this situation.