I might be dumb for asking but could you maybe just reduce your hours at this job instead of quitting completely? Like tell them you can only work 20 hours a week? That way you still get partial unemployment but also have some income while you look for something better?

I just went through something similar a few months ago! Here's what I learned the hard way: For your first question - yes, at 32 hours x $19.50/hr you'll likely get $0 for that week since you're earning more than your weekly benefit amount. BUT your claim stays active as long as you keep filing. For quitting - document EVERYTHING before you make any moves. I made the mistake of quitting a toxic job without enough proof and had to fight for months. What saved me was: - Taking photos/videos of safety violations - Emailing my supervisor about concerns (creates a paper trail) - Getting witness statements from coworkers - Filing a complaint with L&I about the unsafe conditions The key is showing you tried to resolve issues before quitting. Send an email to your manager/HR listing the specific safety problems and requesting they be fixed. Give them a reasonable time to respond (like 3-5 business days). If they don't fix it or dismiss your concerns, THEN you have documented good cause. Also keep filing your weekly claims even if you quit and go into adjudication - I lost out on back pay because I stopped filing thinking it was pointless. The whole process sucks but if you do it right, you can protect your benefits. Just make sure you have rock-solid documentation before you walk away!

Final thought - if you do quit and file for benefits, respond to any requests for information from Washington ESD immediately. Don't let deadlines pass or your claim could be denied just for non-response, even if you had good cause to quit.

Also keep in mind that Washington ESD will likely contact your employer during the adjudication process to get their side of the story. Make sure all your documentation is organized and easily accessible because you may need to provide additional evidence to counter whatever your employer claims. I've seen cases where employers try to downplay harassment or claim the employee never complained, so having timestamped emails and written records is crucial.

I'm sorry to hear about your situation - losing a job while pregnant is incredibly stressful! I went through something similar a few years ago and wanted to share what I learned. You're absolutely right to be thinking about this transition carefully. The good news is that yes, you can collect unemployment until your baby arrives and then switch to Paid Family Leave. The key things to remember: 1) Make sure you understand the exact timing - you'll need to stop filing unemployment claims the week you go on maternity leave 2) There might be a small gap in benefits while your PFL application processes, so try to save a little if possible 3) Keep all your employment records from this job - you'll need them for both programs One thing I'd add that others haven't mentioned - consider applying for any state assistance programs you might qualify for during this transition period. WIC, SNAP, and temporary assistance programs exist exactly for situations like this. There's no shame in using these safety nets when you need them, especially with a baby on the way. Also, don't forget to apply for unemployment immediately after your last day of work - don't wait! The sooner you get that process started, the better. Hang in there - this is temporary and you're going to get through this! 💙

Just wanted to chime in as someone who works in HR and has dealt with similar situations. A few additional points that might help: 1) When you file for unemployment, be very specific that your "position was eliminated" rather than saying your contract wasn't renewed - this helps establish it as a layoff rather than a contract ending, which strengthens your claim. 2) For the job search requirement while pregnant, focus on industries that commonly hire for maternity cover or short-term positions - healthcare, education, and administrative temp work often need people for exactly these timeframes. 3) Don't forget that you can potentially start your Paid Family Leave up to one week BEFORE your due date if your doctor certifies medical necessity, which could help minimize any gap between programs. 4) Keep detailed records of everything - dates, conversations with ESD, medical appointments, job applications. If anything gets complicated later, having documentation will save you huge headaches. You're handling a really tough situation with a lot of grace and planning ahead. That's going to serve you well through this transition. Best of luck with everything!

Update for the original poster: make sure you have all your employment documentation ready. When they review backdating requests, they sometimes ask for proof of your separation date, last day worked, final paycheck, etc. Better to have it all ready.

Just wanted to share my experience for anyone else in this situation - I filed for backdating after 10 weeks of unemployment and Washington ESD approved it without any issues. The key is being honest about why you delayed. I explained that I was actively job searching and thought I'd find work quickly, plus I wasn't fully aware of the backdating option. They processed my request in about 10 days and I received benefits for 9 out of the 10 weeks (minus the waiting period). Don't let fear or embarrassment stop you from filing - the system is designed to help people who need it.

Just want to say thanks to everyone who shared their experiences. This is exactly the kind of real-world info you can't find on the official ESD website.

I went through the backdating process last year and want to add a few things that might help. First, gather EVERYTHING before you submit - bank statements, job search records, any correspondence about your employment situation, medical records if applicable. Second, be very honest about any work you did during the period you're requesting - even small cash jobs need to be reported. The process took about 4 months for me but I did get approved. The key was being extremely detailed in my explanation and having documentation for every claim I made. Also, don't wait to start your regular weekly claims while this is pending - handle them separately. Good luck!