I was in a very similar situation about 6 months ago - terminated for performance issues after struggling to meet productivity targets at a customer service job. I was really worried about filing for unemployment because I thought being fired automatically disqualified me. But after reading through Washington state's guidelines, I learned that there's a big difference between being fired for misconduct versus just not being able to meet job requirements. I filed my claim and was approved after about 3 weeks of adjudication. The investigator asked me to explain what happened and I was honest about struggling with the role but emphasized that I was always trying my best and following all company policies. My advice would be to file ASAP and don't let the fear of potential denial stop you - you might be pleasantly surprised like I was!

I went through something very similar last year when I was let go from a retail management position for not meeting sales targets. Like you, I was really nervous about filing because I thought being fired meant automatic disqualification. But Washington ESD actually approved my claim after about 2 weeks of review. The key thing they look for is whether you were fired for "misconduct connected with work" - which has a very specific legal definition. Simply not being able to perform at the level your employer wanted doesn't usually qualify as misconduct. When I spoke with the adjudicator, I explained that I was always punctual, followed all company procedures, and genuinely tried to improve my performance through additional training and asking for feedback. That seemed to be enough to show I wasn't willfully violating any workplace standards. My suggestion is to file right away and gather any documentation you have that shows you were making good faith efforts to succeed in the role. Good luck!

If you need to talk to someone at Washington ESD to confirm your PFML eligibility or get help with the application, I'd recommend trying Claimyr if the phone lines are too busy. Sometimes you just need to talk to a real person to understand your options.

I just went through this exact situation a few months ago! Everyone here is absolutely right - you can't get regular UI benefits while on maternity leave if your job is being held for you. I made the mistake of initially trying to file for unemployment and wasted weeks before learning about PFML. The Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave program is specifically designed for situations like yours. The benefits aren't as much as your regular pay, but it definitely helps with expenses during unpaid leave. Make sure you apply as soon as possible since there can be a waiting period. The online application through ESD was pretty straightforward once I figured out I was looking at the wrong program!

Update: After reading all your advice, I tried calling the Collections number, but after 45 minutes on hold, I got disconnected. So I decided to try the WorkSource office route this morning. I arrived right when they opened, and though they initially said they couldn't help with ESD collection issues, when I showed them the OAH decision, one of the staff members was kind enough to make an internal call. She spoke to someone for about 10 minutes, and then told me they've put a 60-day hold on any collection activity while they process the OAH decision! She also gave me a direct email address for the collections department where I could send my OAH paperwork. I'm feeling much more hopeful now! I'll still include Form 8379 with my taxes just to be safe, but at least there's some movement. Thank you all for your help!

So glad you got some movement on this! The 60-day hold is a huge relief - that should definitely protect your tax refund while they sort everything out. I went through something similar last year and the WorkSource route was the only thing that actually worked for me too. Those front-line staff members often have better internal contacts than the general ESD phone lines. One thing I'd add - when you email that collections address with your OAH paperwork, make sure to also include your claim ID number and explicitly request written confirmation that the overpayment has been reversed and removed from your account. Sometimes they'll process the hold but forget to actually update the underlying debt record. Getting that confirmation in writing will save you headaches down the road if any other collection notices slip through. You're doing everything right by still including Form 8379 with your taxes as a backup. Better safe than sorry, especially with kids depending on that refund! Keep us posted on how it goes - your experience might help other parents dealing with the same bureaucratic nightmare.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful info. I was really worried when I got that exhausted benefits notice but now I understand there might still be options. Going to gather my wage info and file a new claim tomorrow!

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm in a similar situation where my benefits just got exhausted and I was panicking. Reading through everyone's experiences, it sounds like the key things to check are: 1) your benefit year end date, 2) any wages you earned during your claim period, and 3) whether those wages meet the 680 hours and two-quarter requirements for a new claim. Going to pull together all my employment records from the past year and see if I qualify. Really appreciate how supportive this community is - makes dealing with Washington ESD's confusing system much less overwhelming.

The phone situation is definitely frustrating but don't give up. Your unemployment benefits are important and you deserve to get the help you need. Keep trying different approaches until something works.

I feel your pain - I went through the exact same thing last month! The phone system is absolutely broken. What worked for me was calling the 833-572-8400 number right at 8am and using the rapid redial method someone mentioned. Also keep your claim number and all documents ready because when you finally get through, they'll want everything immediately. Don't give up - your benefits are worth fighting for!