Can I apply for unemployment if I was fired - Washington ESD eligibility questions

You can definitely apply! Being fired doesn't automatically disqualify you from Washington ESD benefits. It depends on WHY you were fired. If it was for performance issues or lack of skills, you'll likely qualify. If it was for misconduct or violating company policy, that's when you might get disqualified. Apply anyway and let Washington ESD make the determination during adjudication.

I was in a similar situation last year. Got fired for 'not meeting expectations' after 18 months at my job. I applied for unemployment and got approved after about 3 weeks of adjudication. The key is being honest on your application about why you were terminated.

Honestly, the whole process of trying to reach Washington ESD to ask questions like this is a nightmare. I spent hours on hold last month trying to get answers about my claim. If you need to talk to someone at Washington ESD, I'd recommend checking out Claimyr - it's a service that helps you get through to actual agents. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Way easier than sitting on hold for hours.

The distinction Washington ESD makes is between being fired for 'misconduct' versus being fired for other reasons. Performance issues, not being a good fit, company downsizing, etc. - those typically don't disqualify you. Misconduct includes things like theft, harassment, repeated policy violations, or being fired for cause. Since you mentioned performance issues, you should be fine to apply.

APPLY ASAP!!! Even if you're not sure, there's no penalty for applying and getting denied. But there IS a penalty for waiting too long to apply. You can't get benefits for weeks before you actually file your claim. I made that mistake and lost out on 3 weeks of benefits.

What kind of performance issues did they cite? Sometimes employers will say 'performance' when they really mean something else, and that could affect your claim.

The unemployment system is so confusing. I got fired 6 months ago and went through the whole adjudication process. It's stressful but worth it if you qualify. Just be prepared for a lot of waiting and paperwork.

I've been through this too. Got fired for 'attitude problems' which I thought would disqualify me, but I still got approved. Washington ESD really looks at whether you did anything intentionally wrong or harmful to the company.

Make sure you're ready to start doing your job search requirements right away once you're approved. Washington ESD requires you to apply for jobs and keep a log of your search activities.

honestly the whole system is a mess. I got fired and it took 6 weeks to get my first payment. But I did get approved eventually so don't give up

I'm dealing with something similar right now. Got fired 2 weeks ago and my claim is still in adjudication. The waiting is killing me financially.

Just to clarify the timeline - you should apply immediately, but there's a one-week waiting period before benefits start even if you're approved. So the sooner you apply, the sooner that clock starts ticking.

Don't let them intimidate you into not applying! I know people who were told by their employers they wouldn't qualify, but they applied anyway and got benefits. Employers don't always know the unemployment rules.

Performance issues are totally different from misconduct. I work in HR and see this all the time. Unless you were stealing, harassing people, or willfully violating policies, you'll probably qualify.

I used Claimyr when I was having trouble getting through to Washington ESD about my adjudication status. It actually worked and I was able to talk to someone who explained what was happening with my claim. Worth trying if you need to speak to an actual person.

The key thing is to be completely honest on your application. Don't try to sugarcoat why you were fired or make it sound better than it was. Washington ESD will find out the truth anyway when they contact your employer.

Even if your claim gets disputed, you'll still get a hearing where you can explain your side of the story. I won my appeal hearing even though my employer contested my claim.

Bottom line - you have nothing to lose by applying. Worst case scenario they say no and you're in the same position you're in now. Best case scenario you get financial help while you look for a new job.

Remember to keep filing your weekly claims even while your initial claim is in adjudication. You won't get paid until it's approved, but you need to keep filing to maintain your eligibility.

One more thing - if you do get approved, make sure you understand all the requirements for keeping your benefits. Job search, reporting any work or income, being available for work, etc. It's a lot to keep track of but important to follow all the rules.