Can I get Washington ESD unemployment if I get fired from my job?

Yes, you can get unemployment if you're fired, but it depends on the reason. Washington ESD will review your case to determine if you were fired for misconduct. If it's performance issues or they're downsizing, you'll likely qualify. If it's for willful misconduct (like stealing, violence, etc.), you probably won't.

I got fired last year for attendance issues and still got approved for unemployment. Washington ESD looks at whether you willfully violated company policy. If you were trying to do your job but just weren't meeting expectations, that's different from deliberately breaking rules.

Yes, you can potentially get unemployment benefits even if you're fired, but it depends on the reason. Washington ESD will determine if you were fired for 'misconduct' or not. If you were fired for something like poor performance, lack of skills, or personality conflicts, you'll likely qualify. If you were fired for things like theft, violence, or repeatedly breaking company rules, you probably won't qualify.

It depends on why you're fired. Washington ESD will approve your claim if you're fired for reasons beyond your control (like poor performance or not being a good fit) but they'll deny it if you're fired for misconduct like stealing, harassment, or willful violation of company policy.

I got fired last year for attendance issues and Washington ESD initially denied my claim. Had to appeal and it took forever to get through. The whole process was a nightmare trying to reach anyone at ESD.

It depends on whether you're fired for misconduct or not. If you're fired for reasons beyond your control (like company downsizing, poor performance that isn't willful, or personality conflicts), you can usually get Washington ESD benefits. But if you're fired for misconduct - like stealing, fighting, or repeatedly violating company policy after warnings - you'll likely be disqualified.

I got fired last year and still got my benefits. The key is being honest on your claim about why you were terminated. Washington ESD will contact your employer to verify the reason, so don't lie about it.

If you do get fired and need to reach Washington ESD about your claim status, I'd recommend checking out Claimyr (claimyr.com). They helped me get through to an actual agent when I couldn't get past the busy signals. There's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Super helpful when you're dealing with adjudication issues.

The Washington ESD will look at whether your firing was for 'misconduct connected with work.' That's the official language they use. Things like tardiness, absenteeism, or poor performance usually don't qualify as misconduct unless there's a pattern of deliberate behavior after warnings.

In Washington, you can usually get unemployment if you're fired for reasons other than misconduct. The key is whether Washington ESD considers it 'misconduct' or just poor performance. If they're writing you up for minor things, that might not qualify as misconduct.

The key thing is that Washington ESD has to determine whether you were fired for 'misconduct connected with work.' That's the legal standard they use. Simple poor performance usually doesn't count as misconduct. You'll need to file your claim as soon as possible after you lose your job and be completely honest about the circumstances.

i got fired last year and still got my benefits. took forever to get through to washington esd though, kept getting busy signals

If you do get fired, file your claim immediately. Don't wait. Washington ESD will investigate by contacting both you and your employer to get both sides of the story. Document everything - save emails, write down dates of incidents, keep copies of any warnings you received.

If you do get fired and need to contact Washington ESD about your claim, I'd recommend checking out Claimyr at claimyr.com. They have a service that helps you actually get through to ESD agents when the phone lines are jammed. There's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Way better than spending hours on hold.

been there done that, got fired for attendance issues but still got my unemployment. took forever though and had to go through an appeal process

I went through this exact situation last year. Got fired after 6 months for 'not being a good fit' and was stressed about whether I'd get benefits. Filed my claim online and had to wait about 3 weeks for them to make a decision. The hardest part was trying to get through to someone at Washington ESD to check on my claim status - their phone lines are always jammed.

Washington ESD will investigate any termination to determine eligibility. They'll contact both you and your employer to get the facts. Document everything your supervisor is doing now - dates, times, what they said. This could help your case if they claim it was misconduct.

The key thing is to file your claim immediately after you're terminated. Don't wait around thinking about it. Washington ESD has a waiting week but you still need to file right away to get the process started.

I had trouble reaching Washington ESD when my claim went into adjudication after being fired. Spent hours on hold every day for weeks. Finally found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get through to an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Saved me so much frustration.

Make sure you document everything now while you're still employed. Keep records of your performance reviews, any coaching or discipline, and communications with your supervisor. This will help if Washington ESD needs to review your case.

I had such a hard time getting through to Washington ESD when I needed to check on my claim status. Spent hours on hold every day for weeks. Finally found this service called Claimyr that helped me get through to an actual agent. You can check it out at claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

The unemployment system is so frustrating!!! I got denied at first when I was fired and had to appeal. Took MONTHS to get it sorted out. The whole process is designed to discourage people from applying I swear.

just make sure you file your weekly claims even while your initial claim is being reviewed. i made that mistake and it delayed my payments for weeks

ugh this whole system is so stressful. I got fired 6 months ago and STILL haven't received all my benefits because of some stupid adjudication issue they won't explain

UGH the whole system is so stressful when you're already dealing with losing your job! I got fired for 'poor performance' but it was really because my manager didn't like me. Still got unemployment though. Washington ESD seems pretty fair about distinguishing between actual misconduct and just not being a good fit.

Make sure you understand the difference between being fired and being laid off. Layoffs are almost always approved for unemployment. Firings depend on the reason. If your employer contests your claim, be prepared to provide documentation about your termination.

The key factors Washington ESD considers: Was the termination due to inability to do the job vs. unwillingness? Did you violate a known policy? Was it an isolated incident or pattern? Did you have warnings and opportunity to improve? Performance issues usually don't disqualify you from UI benefits.

Just file and see what happens. Worst case they deny it and you appeal. I've seen people get approved for unemployment after being fired for all sorts of reasons.

Here's what will happen: You'll file your claim online at secure.esd.wa.gov and answer questions about why you're no longer working. Be completely honest. Washington ESD will then contact your employer for their side of the story. If there's a dispute about misconduct, they'll make a determination.

One important thing - even if you're fired, you still have to meet all the other requirements like being able and available for work, actively seeking employment, and completing your weekly claims. The job search requirement is 3 employer contacts per week currently.

Don't quit before they fire you thinking it will look better! If you quit, you'll have to prove you had 'good cause' which is actually harder than getting benefits after being fired for non-misconduct reasons.

THE SYSTEM IS RIGGED!!! They'll find any excuse to deny your claim. I got fired for being 5 minutes late ONE TIME and they said it was misconduct. Had to appeal and everything. Washington ESD doesn't care about working people!!

Been there, done that. Got fired from a retail job for arguing with a customer (which was stupid of me) and still got unemployment. As long as it wasn't willful misconduct or gross misconduct, you should be fine. Washington ESD is pretty reasonable about these things.

The most important thing is to be honest on your application. Don't try to hide why you were fired because your employer will report their side of the story too. Washington ESD will compare both versions and if they think you're lying it could hurt your case.

Quick question - do you have to wait a week before you can start filing weekly claims? I remember something about a waiting period.

Just make sure you're honest when you file your claim. Washington ESD will find out what really happened anyway, so don't try to hide anything or make up stories. Better to be upfront about the circumstances.

got fired for being late too many times last month and was approved for benefits. took forever to get through to someone at Washington ESD when they needed more info though. the phone system is ridiculous

My brother got fired for being late too many times and they approved his unemployment. He had to go through adjudication but it worked out. Every case is different though.

THE SYSTEM IS BROKEN ANYWAY. I got fired for bogus reasons and it took 8 WEEKS to get my first payment because Washington ESD moves at a snail's pace. Start looking for other jobs now because even if you qualify the process is ridiculous.

The whole unemployment system is designed to be confusing and make you give up. Don't let them intimidate you - if you think you deserve benefits, fight for them.

Important: If you're fired, you can still file for unemployment, but be prepared for potential delays if your employer contests the claim. The adjudication process examines whether the termination was for misconduct connected to work. Simple performance issues rarely disqualify you from receiving UI benefits.

Quick question - do you have to have worked a certain amount of time to qualify? I thought there was a minimum but I can't remember what it is.

Make sure you apply as soon as possible after termination. Don't wait weeks to file your claim because you'll lose those weeks of potential benefits. You can apply online through the Washington ESD website.

If you're in a situation where you might get fired, also start gathering your job search materials now. Even if you qualify for benefits, you'll need to actively look for work and document your job search activities. Washington ESD requires 3 job search activities per week.

I've been through this process twice. First time I got denied because I didn't understand how to explain my situation properly. Second time I got approved. The key is being clear about exactly what happened and why it wasn't misconduct.

Quick tip - when you file your claim, be honest but don't volunteer information that hurts your case. Stick to the facts about why you were terminated.

I was in a similar boat last spring. Got fired after having multiple conversations with HR about performance issues. Still qualified for benefits because they couldn't prove it was willful misconduct. The adjudication took forever though and I was stressed the whole time.

I was so worried about this same thing last year. Got fired for not meeting sales quotas and was sure I wouldn't qualify for unemployment. Filed anyway and got approved within a few weeks. Don't assume you won't qualify - let Washington ESD make that determination.

I went through this exact same thing last spring. Got fired for not meeting performance metrics and was terrified I wouldn't get benefits. Turned out fine - Washington ESD approved my claim after about 2 weeks of review. The key is being honest about trying to do your job well.

If you end up needing to speak with Washington ESD about your claim status, definitely check out Claimyr. I wasted so much time trying to get through on my own. Their system actually works and connects you to real agents who can help with adjudication questions.

Another thing about Claimyr - if you do get your claim denied and need to speak with someone about the appeals process, that's another situation where being able to actually reach an ESD representative is crucial. The appeals have time limits so you can't afford to waste weeks trying to get through on the phone.

my cousin got fired and they made her wait like 6 weeks for benefits because of some adjudication thing. she said it was really stressful not knowing if she'd get approved

Whatever you do, don't quit before they fire you thinking it will be easier. If you quit you have to prove you had 'good cause' which is much harder than proving you weren't fired for misconduct.

The waiting is the worst part!! Even when you qualify, it takes time to get your first payment. Make sure you have some emergency funds if possible because there's always a waiting period.

Don't assume you won't qualify just because you were fired. I know someone who got fired for 'attitude problems' and still got unemployment because the employer couldn't prove it was actual misconduct.

The waiting week is annoying but at least Washington doesn't make you wait as long as some other states. Just make sure you file your weekly claims on time even during adjudication.

honestly the whole thing is a crapshoot. ive seen people get approved who definitely shouldnt have and others get denied for no good reason. just apply and hope for the best

Make sure you have all your employer information ready when you file - company name, address, phone number, dates of employment, and your supervisor's name. Washington ESD will contact them to verify your claim.

The job search requirements are something to keep in mind too. You'll need to be actively looking for work and keeping a log of your job search activities. They can ask to see this at any time.

I used that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier and it really did help me get through to Washington ESD faster. Was having issues with my claim being stuck in adjudication and couldn't reach anyone for weeks. Worth checking out if you run into phone problems.

Just want to add that even if you do get denied initially, don't give up. The appeal process exists for a reason and lots of people win their appeals. I work in HR and I've seen plenty of cases where the initial decision gets overturned.

One thing nobody's mentioned yet - make sure you understand the difference between being fired and being laid off. If your employer calls it a layoff due to budget cuts or downsizing, that's much easier to get benefits for than being fired for performance issues.

The waiting can be the worst part honestly. I was so anxious during my adjudication period that I could barely sleep. Just try to stay busy with job searching and don't obsess over checking your claim status every day (easier said than done I know).

Bottom line is that most people who get fired for non-serious reasons do end up qualifying for unemployment. The system isn't perfect but it's designed to help people who lose their jobs through no major fault of their own. Don't stress too much about it until you actually need to file.

Last thing - if you do get approved, your benefit amount is based on your earnings in the base period, not your final salary. So even if you were demoted before being fired, it might not affect your weekly benefit amount.

Start looking for new work immediately even while filing for unemployment. Washington ESD requires you to actively search for jobs and document your efforts. Don't wait until after you're approved to start job hunting.

Bottom line: Being fired doesn't automatically disqualify you from unemployment benefits in Washington. The determining factor is whether the termination was due to misconduct. Performance issues, attendance problems, or not being a good fit usually don't constitute misconduct under Washington ESD guidelines.

One more thing - if you get severance pay, it might affect when your unemployment benefits start. Make sure to report any severance to Washington ESD when you file your claim.

been through this twice unfortunately. first time i was too embarrassed to file thinking i didn't deserve it. second time i filed right away and got benefits. don't let pride keep you from getting help you've paid into

Final reminder: Keep detailed records of everything leading up to any potential termination. Documentation is your best friend if your claim gets contested and goes to adjudication. Washington ESD wants to see the full picture of what happened.

honestly the whole thing is nerve wracking but most people who get fired for performance stuff end up getting benefits. washington esd isn't trying to deny legitimate claims, they just have to investigate when employers contest

If anyone ends up needing to reach Washington ESD agents during this process, I can't recommend Claimyr enough. Worth checking out their demo video to see how much easier it makes getting through to someone who can actually help with your specific situation.

The system worked for me when I got laid off last year. Even though it was technically a firing due to budget cuts, Washington ESD approved my claim quickly. Don't stress too much about the process - focus on taking care of yourself and finding your next opportunity.

word of advice - if you do get fired and have trouble reaching Washington ESD by phone, try that Claimyr thing someone mentioned earlier. I used it when I was dealing with an adjudication issue and it saved me so much time and frustration.

Most important thing: file your claim immediately after you're terminated. Don't wait! Your benefit year starts when you file, not when you were fired. And you can't get benefits for weeks you don't file.

also remember that even if you get benefits, they might take taxes out depending on what you choose. you can have them withhold 10% for federal taxes or pay at the end of the year

The bottom line is that being fired doesn't automatically disqualify you from unemployment benefits in Washington. Focus on doing your best at work right now, document everything, and if you do get terminated, file your claim honestly and promptly. You'll probably be fine.

One more thing - if you do end up having to appeal a decision, don't try to do it alone. There are free legal aid services that can help with unemployment appeals. Much better than trying to navigate the system by yourself.

been following this thread and just wanted to say hang in there OP. getting fired sucks but it's not the end of the world. you'll get through this whether you end up qualifying for benefits or not

If you're worried about getting fired, you might also want to look into your company's policy on severance pay or COBRA health insurance. Those are separate from unemployment benefits but good to know about.

Final thought: even if you don't qualify for regular unemployment, there might be other programs available depending on your situation. Don't give up if the first answer is no.

This thread has been super helpful. I'm in a similar situation and was wondering the same thing. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences.

The adjudication process happens when there's a question about your eligibility. They have to investigate terminations to make sure you qualify for benefits. It's not personal - it's just part of their process to verify claims.

This happened to my friend last month. She used that Claimyr thing someone mentioned and it actually worked. She was able to talk to a Washington ESD agent the same day and get her claim status updated. Saved her a lot of stress.

Been through this exact situation. Got fired from retail job, worried about misconduct determination. Turned out fine - got approved for UI benefits. The key is being honest about what happened and not exaggerating anything to Washington ESD.

Wait, you can file weekly claims during adjudication? I thought you had to wait until you were approved.

Document everything but also remember that Washington ESD looks at the overall pattern, not just one incident. If you've been a good employee for 2 years, that works in your favor.

Pro tip: if you do get fired, don't sign anything acknowledging misconduct. Just sign that you received the termination paperwork. What you sign could affect your UI eligibility.

The whole thing is so confusing. I wish Washington ESD had better information about what counts as misconduct. Their website is pretty vague about the details.

I tried using Claimyr when I had issues with my claim and it was actually pretty helpful. Got through to someone at Washington ESD within a few hours instead of days of trying on my own.

One more thing - make sure you know your job search requirements if you do get benefits. Washington ESD requires you to search for work and keep a log of your activities.

good luck with everything. being fired sucks but at least unemployment benefits exist to help bridge the gap while you find something new

Just wanted to add that even if you do get denied initially, don't give up. The appeal process exists for a reason and many people win their appeals with the right documentation.

This thread has been super helpful. I'm in a similar situation and was worried about the same things. Nice to know other people have gotten through this successfully.