Can I file unemployment if I get fired from my job in Washington state?

Yes, you can definitely file for unemployment if you're fired, but it depends on the reason. Washington ESD looks at whether you were terminated for 'misconduct' or not. If you were fired for reasons beyond your control (like layoffs, poor performance that wasn't willful, company downsizing), you should qualify. If it's for misconduct like theft, violence, or repeatedly violating company policy after warnings, that's different.

File as soon as you get terminated! Don't wait. The sooner you file your claim, the sooner your benefits can start. You'll need to do it online through the Washington ESD website and you'll need your Social Security number, employment history for the last 18 months, and reason for separation.

I had a similar situation last year. Got fired and was worried about filing, but I qualified because it wasn't for misconduct. The key thing is being honest on your application about why you were terminated. Washington ESD will contact your employer to verify, so don't lie about it. If you're having trouble getting through to them on the phone, I used Claimyr.com to help me reach an agent quickly. They have a service that gets you connected without waiting on hold for hours.

been there done that, got fired and filed right away. took about 3 weeks to get my first payment but i did get approved. make sure you file your weekly claims even while you're waiting for the decision

The Washington ESD system is so confusing! I got fired 6 months ago and it took forever to figure out what I was supposed to do. They make you jump through so many hoops just to prove you deserve benefits you already paid into through your paychecks. The whole adjudication process is a nightmare if your employer contests your claim.

Make sure you understand the difference between being fired and being laid off. If you're being fired for performance issues that weren't your fault, that's usually not misconduct. But if you're being fired for breaking rules repeatedly, that could disqualify you from benefits.

I'm going through something similar right now. Filed my claim 2 weeks ago after getting terminated and still haven't heard anything back. Tried calling Washington ESD but can never get through. This is so stressful when you need money for rent and bills.

Don't forget you'll need to meet the job search requirements too once you start receiving benefits. You have to apply for jobs and keep a log of your search activities. Washington ESD can ask to see this at any time.

Whatever you do, don't let them intimidate you into not filing. Employers sometimes try to scare people by saying they'll contest the claim, but you still have the right to file and let Washington ESD make the decision.

just want to add that you should save all your documentation - any write-ups, performance reviews, emails, etc. If your claim gets contested you'll want to have everything ready to support your case

One more important thing - make sure you file in the week you're actually terminated, not before. You can't file for unemployment while you're still employed, even if you know you're about to be fired.

The whole system is designed to make you give up. They make it so complicated and hard to reach anyone when you have questions. Thank god for services like Claimyr that actually help you get through to a real person at Washington ESD.

Been unemployed 3 times in the last 5 years and filed every time I got fired. Never had a problem getting benefits as long as I was honest about everything. The key is not to overthink it - just file and let them make the determination.

Make sure you know your employer's version of events too. Sometimes there's a disconnect between what you think happened and what they'll report to Washington ESD. Better to be prepared for both sides of the story.

Don't listen to people who say you can't get unemployment if you're fired. That's not true in Washington state. Plenty of people get benefits after being terminated - it just depends on the circumstances.

Word of advice - when you file your weekly claims, be consistent with your answers. Don't change your story about why you were fired between your initial application and your weekly certifications.

Update on my earlier comment about Claimyr - I used them again last week for a different issue with my claim and they got me connected to a Washington ESD specialist within 20 minutes. Definitely recommend if you're having trouble getting through.

Also remember that your benefit amount will be based on your earnings in the base period, which is usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you filed. So if you haven't been working there very long, your benefits might be lower.

The waiting period is the worst part. Even if you get approved, there's usually a one-week waiting period before benefits start. Make sure you have some savings or a plan to cover that gap.

Final advice - keep applying for jobs while you're waiting for your claim to be processed. You'll need to show job search activities anyway, and it's better to start early. Plus you might find something before your benefits even kick in.

Hey Aurora, I went through this exact situation last year and it was really stressful at the time, but it worked out fine. I was fired from my job at a grocery store after 6 months for what my manager called "performance issues" - basically I was struggling to keep up with their unrealistic stocking quotas. I was terrified about filing for unemployment because I thought getting fired automatically disqualified you, but that's not true at all. I filed online the day after my termination and got approved within about 10 days. The key thing is that Washington ESD really does look at the specific circumstances. In my case, they determined that struggling with job performance wasn't misconduct, especially since I was trying my best and never received proper training. My employer didn't even contest it. Just be completely honest when you fill out the application - don't try to sugarcoat anything or make yourself look better. They'll contact your employer anyway, so consistency is important. Also, start your job search right away even while you're waiting for approval, because you'll need to show those activities on your weekly claims. The whole process was way less scary than I expected, and the financial relief was huge when I really needed it. You've got this!