Can I apply for Washington ESD unemployment if I was terminated from my job?

Really? I thought being fired automatically disqualified you. How do they determine what counts as misconduct?

Misconduct has to be willful or deliberate violations of company policy. Poor performance, inability to do the job, or personality conflicts usually don't qualify as misconduct.

How long did it take for them to decide on your claim? I'm worried about the adjudication process taking forever.

Mine took about 3 weeks because they had to contact my former employer. Be patient but persistent if you don't hear anything.

Is that service legit? I'm always skeptical of third-party services for government stuff.

Yeah it's legitimate, they just help you get through the phone system. You still talk directly to Washington ESD agents, they just bypass the busy signals.

That's encouraging to hear. Did your employer try to fight your claim?

nah they didnt bother. most employers dont contest unless its something really bad

What if my employer lies about what happened? I'm worried they'll make it sound worse than it was.

That's why it's important to keep documentation if you have any. Washington ESD will investigate both sides of the story if there are discrepancies.

Exactly right. Keep any performance reviews, emails, or written warnings you might have received. They can help support your case.

What happened with your appeals? How long did the whole process take?

TOOK ALMOST 6 MONTHS TOTAL! Had to go through two levels of appeals before they finally admitted I was right. Keep fighting if they deny you!

Good luck with your claim! 'Not being a good fit' usually isn't considered misconduct, so you should be fine.

Thanks! I was really stressed about it but feeling more confident now.

How many job contacts do you have to make each week in Washington?

It's usually 3 job search activities per week, but it can vary based on your situation. They'll tell you the requirements when your claim is approved.

How long ago did you apply? Any word yet?

about a week ago, still shows pending. probably gonna take a while since they have to contact my old boss

how much does it cost though? cant afford to pay for something i should be able to do myself

It's worth checking out their site to see what they offer. The main thing is it actually works when you need to reach an agent.

That's really reassuring coming from someone in HR. What would qualify as misconduct then?

Things like theft, violence, deliberate insubordination, or repeatedly violating clear company policies after warnings. Just not being good at your job doesn't count.

Was there an investigation or did it get approved right away?

took like 2-3 weeks for them to decide but he got approved. they called his old job and everything

Good point. I'll file my claim tonight. Is there anything I should gather beforehand?

Have your Social Security number, employment history for the last 18 months, and your most recent employer's information ready. That's about it.

That actually makes me feel a lot better. I was thinking I had to prove I deserved benefits.

Nope, it's the opposite. They assume you're eligible unless there's evidence of disqualifying misconduct.

That's what I'm hoping for with my situation. Fingers crossed!

yeah youll probably be fine. the worst they can do is say no and then you can appeal

Were there any complications during those 26 weeks or did it go smoothly once approved?

Pretty smooth once I got into the routine of filing my weekly claims and doing the job search stuff. Just stay on top of the requirements.

How detailed should I be in that questionnaire if I get one?

Be thorough but stick to relevant facts. Explain the circumstances but don't get emotional or blame anyone. Just state what happened objectively.

Thanks for sharing that. How has the job search been going with the current market?

It's tough but I'm getting interviews. The unemployment benefits help take some pressure off so I can be selective about where I apply.

Finally checked out that service and it actually worked! Got connected to an agent in like 10 minutes instead of calling all day.

Glad it helped! That's exactly what happened to me. Sometimes you just need to talk to a real person to get answers.

Good luck! Based on what you described, you should be approved without any problems.

Keep us posted on how it goes! And don't panic if it takes a few weeks to hear back.

Make sure you file your weekly claims even while waiting for approval. You can't go back and claim those weeks later.