One thing to watch out for - if you win a wrongful termination lawsuit later, ESD might come back and say you owe some benefits back if you receive lost wages as part of your settlement/judgment. It's not always the case, but worth keeping in mind so you're not surprised.

Congratulations on your win! That's such a relief after 6 weeks of stress. I'm going through something similar right now - my former employer is claiming I was fired for "performance issues" but I have evidence showing it was really retaliation for filing a workplace discrimination complaint. Your case gives me hope since you had solid documentation (those timestamped texts were smart!). I've been collecting everything I can find - emails, witness contact info, even security footage requests. Quick question - did you represent yourself during the ESD process or did you get help from anyone? I'm worried about messing up my case since I've never done this before. The whole adjudication process seems so formal and intimidating. Also totally agree with others about consulting an employment attorney ASAP. The statute of limitations clock is ticking and you want to strike while the evidence is fresh. Best of luck with whatever you decide!

Congrats on getting your first payment sorted out! This is exactly why this community is so valuable - ESD's confusing terminology has stressed out so many people unnecessarily. For future reference, you can also check the "Payment History" section of your eServices account to see a clearer breakdown of what each week's status means. And don't forget to keep track of your job search activities in a spreadsheet or document - it makes the weekly filing process much faster once you get into the routine!

So glad you got it figured out! This is such a common confusion point for new claimants. Just wanted to add - if anyone else reading this is in a similar situation, another way to confirm everything is working properly is to look for the "weekly benefit amount" listed in your claim summary. As long as that shows a dollar amount (not $0), your claim is approved and the "disqualified" waiting week status is just the system's weird way of saying "unpaid waiting period." Keep filing consistently and you should see payments start flowing after that first week!

I was in almost the exact same situation - got fired from a retail job for being late too often because of unreliable public transit. The good news is that Washington ESD approved my benefits because I could prove the transportation issues were beyond my control. Here's what really helped my case: I documented everything with screenshots from the bus tracking app showing consistent delays, saved the official service alerts from the transit authority about route disruptions, and most importantly, I had evidence that I'd tried to work with my manager on solutions (like starting later) but was told company policy wouldn't allow it. The fact that you've been there 2 years with no other issues and that you proactively asked about schedule changes will definitely work in your favor. When you file, be very specific about the circumstances - don't just say "attendance problems" but explain the transportation challenges and your attempts to resolve them. Even if it goes to adjudication, having all that documentation ready will speed up the process. File as soon as possible since benefits only start from when you apply, not when you were terminated.

Don't lose hope - your situation sounds very winnable! I was fired for tardiness due to my kids' school bus being consistently late, and I got approved for benefits after adjudication. The key things that helped my case were: 1) Documenting the transportation issues with screenshots and official alerts, 2) Showing I had tried to work with my employer on solutions (like you did when asking about schedule changes), and 3) Demonstrating that my tardiness wasn't willful misconduct but due to circumstances beyond my control. Your 2-year employment history with no other issues will definitely work in your favor. When you file, make sure to explain in detail about the bus route problems and how you requested accommodation but were denied due to company policy. Keep collecting those bus delay screenshots and service alerts - they're gold for your case. File ASAP since benefits only start from your filing date, and don't let the potential for adjudication scare you. Having solid documentation makes the process much smoother.

Thanks for all the great info everyone. This thread answered questions I didn't even know I had about how unemployment funding works!

This is really helpful information! I'm new to the unemployment system and had no idea that employers pay into a shared fund rather than paying benefits directly. It makes me feel less awkward about filing my claim knowing that it's coming from a pool that all employers contribute to, not just my former company's pocket. The insurance analogy someone mentioned really clicked for me too - we're all paying premiums (through our employers) and then accessing benefits when we need them. Thanks for breaking this down so clearly!

For anyone else reading this later - the key takeaway is wait until after your last day of work before filing your initial unemployment claim with Washington ESD. Don't risk the adjudication delays by filing early.

Just wanted to add my experience - I was laid off from Boeing last year and made the mistake of filing 3 days early because I was panicking about getting everything sorted. Big mistake! Washington ESD flagged it immediately and I had to wait 7 weeks for adjudication. The adjudicator told me this is one of the most common errors they see. The rule is crystal clear: you must be unemployed when you file. Even filing on your last day before your shift ends can cause problems. Wait until you're completely done working, then file. Trust me, those extra few days of waiting are nothing compared to weeks of delayed benefits.