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Filed my claim 3 days ago after getting terminated for performance and already see it's in adjudication status. The waiting is killing me but at least I know it's moving forward. Your situation sounds similar to mine - hang in there!
One final piece of advice - if Washington ESD does contact you for a phone interview during adjudication, answer honestly but stick to the facts. Don't bad-mouth your former employer, just explain your side of what happened with the performance issues. They're looking for whether it constitutes misconduct, and poor performance typically doesn't meet that bar.
Still stuck in pending status. This is week 4 now and I'm getting desperate. Bills don't stop coming just because Washington ESD can't process claims efficiently.
Before going the political route, you might want to try Claimyr again. They specialize in getting people connected to the right Washington ESD representatives who can actually resolve adjudication issues.
Thanks everyone for all the information. It sounds like I need to get serious about job searching right away and not count on having the full 26 weeks. Also going to make sure I understand all the requirements so I don't lose benefits for making mistakes.
For anyone still reading this thread: don't wait until tax season to figure this out. Set up withholding or start saving now!
Final reminder that even though Washington ESD gives you the option to have taxes withheld, it's still your responsibility to make sure you're paying enough. Keep good records!
Another option if you can't get through to Washington ESD directly is using something like Claimyr. I heard about it from someone else on here and it actually worked when I needed to talk to an agent about my eligibility question. Sometimes it's worth paying a little to get real answers instead of guessing.
Bottom line - being fired doesn't automatically disqualify you from unemployment in Washington. File your claim, be honest about what happened, and let Washington ESD make the determination. Most performance-related firings result in approved claims.
MidnightRider
Last piece of advice - once you start receiving benefits, don't spend it all at once. Remember you'll need to pay taxes on unemployment income and it might affect your tax refund next year. Consider setting aside a portion for taxes.
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Malik Johnson
•Oh wow, I didn't realize unemployment was taxable. Thanks for the heads up!
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MidnightRider
•Yeah, you can choose to have taxes withheld from your benefits or pay them later. Just something to keep in mind.
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Andre Laurent
The whole process can seem overwhelming at first but you'll get through it. Just take it one step at a time and don't hesitate to ask for help when you need it. Good luck with your application!
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Malik Johnson
•Thank you everyone for all the helpful advice! I feel much more confident about starting the application now.
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Andre Laurent
•You're welcome! Feel free to come back if you have more questions during the process.
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