Can I claim unemployment if I was fired from my job in Washington?

You can definitely still apply for unemployment even if you were fired. Washington ESD will look at WHY you were fired to determine if you're eligible. If it was for something like poor performance or not being a good fit, you'll likely qualify. But if it was for misconduct like stealing or fighting, then you'd be disqualified.

File your claim right away! Don't wait. Even if Washington ESD needs to investigate your separation (which they probably will), you want to get your claim date established. The worst thing that happens is they deny it and you can appeal. But if you wait weeks to apply, you lose that time.

I had a similar situation last year where I got fired for 'not fitting in with company culture' which was basically BS. I was worried about applying but decided to anyway. Washington ESD approved my claim after about 3 weeks of adjudication. The key is being honest about what happened when you file.

Honestly, trying to reach Washington ESD by phone is a nightmare if you have questions about your claim. I spent literally hours on hold last month. Recently found out about this service called Claimyr that calls them for you and gets you connected to an actual agent. Check out claimyr.com - they even have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Game changer for dealing with ESD phone issues.

You mentioned safety violations - if you were fired for reporting workplace safety issues, that could actually strengthen your unemployment case. Retaliation for safety complaints is a big deal and Washington ESD takes that seriously.

ugh the whole system is so confusing. i got fired from my last job too and had no idea what to do. took me like a month to even figure out i could apply for benefits

Performance issues vs misconduct is the key distinction. I work in HR and I've seen plenty of people get approved for UI after being terminated for performance. Washington ESD basically looks at whether you did something intentionally wrong or if you just weren't meeting job requirements.

Make sure you file within the first week after losing your job. There's a waiting period anyway so the sooner you get the process started the better. And be prepared for them to potentially contact your former employer - that's standard procedure for any termination.

I'm going through something similar right now. Got 'laid off' but I think it was really because I was making too much money for what they wanted to pay. Filed my claim two weeks ago and it's still in adjudication. The waiting is killing me.

Just want to add that even if your initial claim gets denied, you can appeal the decision. I had to do that when they initially said my termination was for misconduct but I was able to prove it wasn't. The appeal process took a while but I eventually got approved and received back pay.

Another thing - start looking for work right away and keep track of your job search activities. Washington has work search requirements that kick in after a few weeks, and you'll need to show you're actively looking for employment.

WASHINGTON ESD is so backed up right now. I've been trying to get through to ask about my adjudication for weeks. Might have to try that Claimyr thing someone mentioned earlier because this is ridiculous.

Document everything from your termination - save emails, notes from meetings, anything that shows the circumstances around why you were fired. If ESD needs more information during their investigation, having that documentation ready will help your case.

My cousin got fired for performance issues at his retail job and still got unemployment. The company tried to fight it but ESD sided with him because there was no evidence of willful misconduct. Performance problems happen but that doesn't mean you did anything wrong on purpose.

Whatever you do, don't let them pressure you into saying you quit. I've heard of employers trying to get people to 'resign' instead of being fired because it makes their unemployment insurance rates look better. Stand your ground that you were terminated.

One more tip - when you file weekly claims (if your initial claim gets approved), make sure you answer all the questions honestly. They ask things like if you worked any hours or earned any money that week. Being dishonest on those can get you in trouble later.

Bottom line - you have nothing to lose by applying. Worst case scenario they deny it and you're in the same position you are now. Best case you get approved and have some income while you look for your next job. File that claim ASAP.

Just saw this thread and wanted to mention that if you do need to contact Washington ESD for any reason about your claim, I had success with Claimyr recently. They basically handle the phone hassle for you - you just tell them what you need to discuss and they get you connected to an actual ESD representative. Super helpful when you can't afford to spend hours on hold.

Update us on how your claim goes! Always interested to hear how these situations work out since there's so much confusion about what qualifies for unemployment benefits.