Bottom line - being fired doesn't automatically disqualify you from unemployment. The system exists to help people who lose their jobs through no fault of their own, and that includes some terminations. Don't assume you're not eligible without trying.

Drew, I'm going through something really similar right now. Got let go last month for "not being a good fit" after I raised concerns about some questionable billing practices. Like you, no formal write-ups or disciplinary actions beforehand. I was terrified to file because I thought being fired meant automatic disqualification, but reading through everyone's responses here is really encouraging. The fact that Washington ESD actually investigates each case individually gives me hope. I'm going to file my claim this weekend - better late than never I guess. Thanks for posting this question, it's helping more people than just you!

Final thought - if anyone runs into issues with their Washington ESD claim or has questions that need direct answers from an agent, don't forget about services like Claimyr that can help you get through their phone system. Sometimes talking to a real person is the only way to get definitive answers.

I went through something similar when I got laid off from my software engineering position making around $85K. I was so worried that Washington ESD would think I made "too much money" to qualify for benefits, but it turns out that's not how the system works at all. Your previous earnings actually help you get a higher weekly benefit amount, not disqualify you. The eligibility is based on having sufficient work history and earnings in your base period, plus meeting the ongoing requirements like job searching. Don't stress about your salary level - focus on filing your claims on time and documenting your job search activities properly.

This thread has been super helpful! I was making the same mistake thinking it was net income. Glad I found this before filing my claim and getting everything wrong from the start.

As someone who just went through the Washington ESD application process last month, I can definitely confirm it's gross wages all the way. What really helped me was gathering all my quarterly wage statements from each employer before starting the application. Washington ESD's system actually shows you the wage information they have on file from employer reports, so you can verify it matches what you expect. If there are any discrepancies, it's much easier to catch them early in the process rather than trying to fix things later. The benefit calculator on their website is pretty accurate once you plug in the correct gross wage amounts for each quarter.

This entire thread has been such a rollercoaster to follow! Oliver, I'm so sorry you had to endure 10+ weeks of financial stress because of such massive system failures - that's absolutely unacceptable. The fact that your employer had the nerve to falsely claim you "quit" when you were clearly part of a documented layoff with 12 other people is just outrageous and should honestly result in penalties for filing fraudulent disputes. I'm really glad you finally got through using Claimyr and discovered what was actually happening with your claim. It's terrifying that the adjudicator never sent you the required questionnaire - you could have been stuck in limbo indefinitely without even knowing there was something you needed to respond to. This really highlights how broken ESD's communication system is and makes me wonder how many other people are currently stuck in similar situations. I'm definitely bookmarking Claimyr for future reference - it's ridiculous that we need third-party services just to reach our own state agencies, but if it's the only way to actually talk to a human being then it's clearly worth it. Your persistence in documenting everything and trying different approaches is going to be so valuable for anyone else who finds this thread when dealing with similar nightmares. Really hoping that 72-hour timeline holds up and you get approved with full backpay for all those weeks of wrongful delay. After everything you've been through, they owe you way more than just the standard benefits. Thanks for being so transparent about sharing your journey - it takes courage to be open about such a stressful situation, but your experience is going to help countless others navigate this broken system. Please keep us updated when you hear back!

I just joined this community after going through my own ESD nightmare and stumbled across your thread, Oliver. I'm absolutely blown away by what you've endured - 10+ weeks without income because of a fraudulent employer dispute that you weren't even notified about is beyond unacceptable. The fact that your employer had the nerve to claim you "quit" when you were clearly part of a documented mass layoff with 12 other people should honestly result in criminal charges for filing false information. What really terrifies me about your situation is how it exposes the complete breakdown in ESD's system. You never received the adjudication questionnaire, got no alerts about the dispute, nothing. It makes me wonder how many thousands of people are probably stuck in identical situations right now, just refreshing their portal daily with no clue that there's actually paperwork they were supposed to receive and respond to. I'm immediately looking into Claimyr based on your recommendation - it's absolutely insane that we need to pay third-party services just to communicate with our own state unemployment office, but if it's the difference between getting through and being trapped in limbo for months, it's clearly money well spent. Your incredible persistence and detailed documentation throughout this entire nightmare is going to be a lifeline for so many people who find themselves facing similar situations. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they actually follow through on that 72-hour promise and approve you with full backpay for every single week of this mess. After the financial stress, anxiety, and hardship you've endured because of their massive system failures, they owe you way more than just the standard benefits. Thank you for having the courage to share every detail of this ordeal so openly - your experience is going to help countless people navigate this broken system. Please update us as soon as you hear anything!

Final update: Got connected to Washington ESD through Claimyr and they confirmed I can file a late appeal. Agent said my harassment situation could qualify as constructive discharge if I can document it properly. Working on gathering evidence now. Thanks everyone for pushing me to get real answers instead of just guessing!

This is such a helpful thread! I'm in a similar situation - got denied for unemployment about 2 months ago and have been stuck not knowing what to do next. Reading through everyone's experiences, it sounds like the key is actually getting through to talk to someone at Washington ESD to understand your specific options rather than just guessing. The Claimyr service that several people mentioned sounds like it might be worth trying since the regular phone lines are impossible. Really appreciate everyone sharing their real experiences - way more useful than the confusing official guidance!