BENEFIT GUIDE V.7 UPDATED JANUARY 2021 www.paidleave.wa.gov 8
Do I have to use other leave, like vacation or sick time, before
I use Paid Family and Medical Leave?
No. Your employer cannot require you to use Paid Family and
Medical Leave before or after other paid or unpaid time off you
might have, like paid sick days or vacation leave. Taking Paid
Family and Medical Leave is entirely up to you.
What if I’m receiving unemployment benefits — can I also
get paid leave?
If you are now laid off or furloughed, and are experiencing a
family or medical event, you can apply for both unemployment
and Paid Family Medical Leave. But you cannot receive both
benefits at the same time—you will need to take them one at a
time. If you don’t have a social security number, you can only
apply for Paid Family and Medical Leave.
Benefit decisions, appeals, and changes
to your claim
What if I disagree with my decision letter?
If you disagree with your weekly benefit amount or the number of
hours you worked, you will need to request a redetermination
from the Department. As part of the redetermination process, we
may ask you to provide us with proof of hours worked and wages earned. If you still disagree with the redetermination
decision, you may file an appeal of the redetermination. There will be instructions on decision letters to inform you of the
next steps if you disagree with any decision.
If you disagree with any other decision, there will be instructions in the decision letter to inform you of your next steps.
One option you have is to submit a Request for Review in your Paid Leave account. To do this, log-in to your account and
select ‘Take Action’ on your homepage. Then click ‘Request a Review,’ provide the requested additional information and
hit ‘submit.’ Please note that the processing time for our Customer Care Team to review your request depends on volume.
What if I need to take leave for multiple events in the same claim year?
If you have multiple qualifying events in your claim year, you will fill out an application for each event. You can do the
second application online in your Paid Leave account. You may need to provide us with additional information to be
approved for another claim, like a medical certification if it is a new serious health condition
or bonding documentation if
you’re switching from medical leave for birth to family leave to bond with your baby..
For example, you had a baby on Dec. 22, 2020. You apply for, and take, four weeks of medical leave to continue your
recovery. You can then take up to 12 weeks of family leave to bond with your new baby – this is considered your second
qualifying event. You will need to fill out a second application for your second qualifying event. Remember, you must
notify your employer at least 30 days before you plan to use Paid Family and Medical Leave whenever possible, and you
may be required by your employer to report to them the status and intention of your return to work.
Do I need to be employed to take Paid Family and Medical Leave?
No. As long as you have worked enough hours in the qualifying period, you can use Paid Family and Medical Leave. You
cannot, however, claim Unemployment Insurance or workers’ compensation benefits and Paid Family and Medical Leave at
the same time.
Paid Family and Medical Leave vs. FMLA
Examples of differences
Paid Family and Medical Leave
• Is a state program just for people
working in Washington
• Offers paid leave
• Is available to workers in businesses of
all sizes, including small businesses
• Has a broader definition of “family,”
including siblings and grandparents
FMLA
• A federal program throughout the U.S.
• Offers unpaid leave
• Is only available to workers in
businesses of 50 or more employees
Similarities
Job protection under FMLA and Paid Family
and Medical Leave is similar. This leave will
usually run concurrently when people are
eligible for both. See the question about job
protection for more.