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

Being fired doesn't automatically disqualify you from unemployment in Washington state. It depends on WHY you were fired. If it was for misconduct, then you might be denied benefits. But if it was for poor performance or inability to do the job, you could still qualify. You should definitely file a claim with Washington ESD and let them determine your eligibility.

Yes, you can potentially get unemployment benefits even if you were fired, but it depends on the reason. Washington ESD looks at whether you were terminated for 'misconduct' or not. Being late occasionally usually isn't considered misconduct, especially if you had valid reasons like car trouble or emergencies. When you file your claim, make sure to explain your side of the story in detail.

You can still potentially get unemployment even if you were fired, but it depends on the reason. Washington ESD will look at whether you were fired for 'misconduct' or not. Attendance issues can be tricky - if you had valid reasons like family emergencies and can document them, you might have a chance. You should definitely file a claim and let Washington ESD make the determination.

You should absolutely file your claim ASAP! Washington ESD will investigate and make a determination. Even if your employer contests it, you have the right to appeal. The worst thing you can do is wait - you need to file within a reasonable time after losing your job to avoid complications.

I was fired for performance issues last year and still got approved for unemployment. The key is that Washington ESD distinguishes between being fired for misconduct versus being fired for inability to do the job or other non-misconduct reasons. Attendance issues due to legitimate circumstances usually don't count as misconduct.

Just a heads up - if you're having trouble getting through to Washington ESD to check on your claim status, I recently discovered Claimyr (claimyr.com). They help you actually reach a live agent instead of getting stuck in those endless phone loops. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Really helped me get answers about my adjudication process.

I was in a similar situation last year - got fired for being late too many times. Washington ESD initially denied my claim but I appealed it and won because I could prove the tardiness was due to my car breaking down and not having reliable transportation. The key is showing it wasn't willful misconduct.

I was in a similar situation last year. Got fired for 'not being a good fit' and was terrified I wouldn't get benefits. Filed anyway and was approved after a brief investigation. The key is being honest about what happened when you file your claim.

Just to clarify the Washington ESD rules - you're generally disqualified if you were fired for misconduct, but simple poor performance or inability to do the job usually doesn't count as misconduct. Attendance can go either way depending on the circumstances. File your claim online at esd.wa.gov and answer all questions honestly.

File your claim ASAP regardless. Even if there's a question about eligibility, you want to get the process started. Washington ESD will investigate and make a determination. If they deny you initially, you can always appeal their decision.

If you're having trouble getting through to Washington ESD to file your claim or check on its status, I found this service called Claimyr that actually got me connected to a real person. They have this system that calls for you and waits on hold. Check out claimyr.com - there's even a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

The whole system is rigged against workers anyway. They'll find any excuse to deny claims and save money. I got fired for supposedly violating company policy but it was really because they wanted to get rid of older employees. Washington ESD sided with the employer of course.

I had trouble getting through to Washington ESD when I needed to discuss my firing situation. Spent hours on the phone trying to reach someone. Finally found this service called Claimyr that helped me get connected to an actual agent. You can check it out at claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Made the whole process so much easier.

What exactly do they consider 'misconduct'? I'm worried about my situation too - I got fired for arguing with my supervisor about safety issues.

I'm dealing with something similar. Got let go for 'not being a good fit' but I think it was really because I requested accommodations for my disability. Planning to file for unemployment but also considering other legal options.

The system is so unfair though! Employers can fire people for basically anything and then fight their unemployment claims. It's like getting punished twice for losing your job.

wait so if you get fired you can still get unemployment?? i thought only people who got laid off could get it

The Washington ESD system is so confusing about this stuff. I got fired for 'performance issues' which sounds bad but was really just me being new and not catching on fast enough. Still got approved for benefits because they determined it wasn't misconduct. Every case is different.

The fact that you had legitimate reasons for the tardiness works in your favor. I know someone who got fired for attendance but still got unemployment because they could prove it was due to medical issues and lack of reliable transportation.

just wanted to say good luck with your claim. The whole process is stressful but hang in there. Most people who get fired for non-misconduct reasons do end up getting approved eventually.

When you file, be completely honest about why you were fired but also explain your side. Don't try to hide anything because your employer will give their version anyway. Washington ESD will compare both accounts and make a decision based on the facts.

Another thing to consider - even if you get denied initially, the appeals process exists for a reason. I've seen plenty of people win their appeals even after being denied at first. Don't give up if you get bad news initially.

just file and see what happens, worst case they say no and you appeal

File immediately! Don't wait. Even if Washington ESD denies you initially, you can appeal. I've seen people win appeals for firing cases all the time. The worst thing you can do is not file at all.

I used that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier when I had adjudication issues and it really worked. Cost me some money but was worth it to actually talk to a human at Washington ESD instead of getting hung up on constantly.

The waiting is the worst part. I'm going through adjudication right now for a similar situation and it's been 2 weeks with no update. The uncertainty is killing me.

File your weekly claims even while your case is under review! If you get approved, you'll get paid for all the weeks you were eligible, but only if you filed the claims. Don't skip this step even if you're not sure about your eligibility yet.

When you file your claim, be prepared to provide details about your work history, why you were terminated, and your employer's information. Washington ESD will likely contact your former employer to get their side of the story too. The investigation process is pretty thorough.

Make sure you have your employer's information ready when you file - full company name, address, dates of employment, reason for separation. Washington ESD will verify everything with them anyway.

My brother got fired for similar attendance issues and ended up getting approved after they investigated. The key was that he had documentation showing he tried to communicate with his employer about his transportation problems but they wouldn't work with him.

I'm going through something similar right now. Got fired three weeks ago and my claim has been in adjudication ever since. Washington ESD is taking forever to make a decision. So frustrating when you need the money.

The key thing to remember is that Washington ESD has to prove you committed misconduct - you don't have to prove you didn't. If your firing was due to circumstances like family emergencies, that's usually not considered misconduct.

Also remember you have to be actively looking for work and able to work to receive benefits. Don't forget about the job search requirements once you start collecting.

been there done that. got fired for tardiness due to bus issues. washington esd approved me after i showed them my bus route got cancelled. just document everything

Don't let your employer intimidate you into not filing. I had a boss try to tell me I couldn't get unemployment after firing me. That's not their decision - it's Washington ESD's.

The whole system is rigged against workers anyway. File for everything you can get because these companies don't care about us.

File your claim as soon as possible! Benefits start from the week you file, not from when you lost your job. Every day you wait is money lost.

Just want to echo what others said about Claimyr. When I needed to speak with someone at Washington ESD about my firing situation, regular calling was impossible. Claimyr got me through in under an hour. Worth every penny when you're dealing with potential benefit denials.

Remember that even if you get denied initially, you can appeal. I know someone who got fired for attendance and it took two appeals but they eventually got their benefits. Don't give up.

Good luck with your claim! Sounds like you have valid reasons for the attendance issues. Just be thorough with your documentation and honest in your application.

One more tip - keep records of everything once you start the process. Save confirmation numbers, print emails, document phone calls. If you end up needing to appeal, having a paper trail helps tremendously.

Update us on how it goes! Always curious to hear how these situations work out with Washington ESD.

The whole misconduct standard is pretty high. You basically have to have done something intentionally harmful or seriously violated clear company policies. Struggling with attendance due to legitimate issues usually doesn't meet that bar.

Just remember that even if you get approved, you'll still need to do job searches and report them. Don't forget about that requirement while you're dealing with the initial claim review.

One more thing - if your former employer contests your claim (which they might), don't panic. It's pretty common and doesn't mean you won't get benefits. Washington ESD will still investigate both sides and make an independent decision.

Quick update - I tried that Claimyr thing and actually got through to someone at Washington ESD today. They were able to check my claim status and explain what happens next. Pretty helpful when you can't get through the regular phone lines.

thanks for asking this question - I'm in almost the exact same situation and all these responses are really helpful. Good luck with your claim!

I got fired from my job at a restaurant for dropping too many plates. Still got unemployment because it wasn't intentional misconduct. Performance issues are different from rule violations.

One thing to keep in mind - even if you're approved for benefits, you'll still need to meet all the ongoing requirements like filing weekly claims, looking for work, and being available for work. Make sure you understand those obligations too.

Don't let them intimidate you! File your claim and fight for what you're entitled to. Too many people give up before they even try.

The Washington ESD website has a good FAQ section about eligibility requirements. Might be worth reading through that before you file so you know what to expect during the process.

If your claim gets denied initially, don't panic! You have 30 days to file an appeal and the appeal process gives you a chance to present your case more thoroughly. I've seen denials get overturned all the time.

Update on that Claimyr service I mentioned earlier - just used it again yesterday to check on a friend's claim status and got through to Washington ESD in about 15 minutes. Way better than the 2+ hours I usually spend on hold trying to call myself.

Remember that unemployment benefits are taxable income, so you might want to consider having taxes withheld from your payments. You can set this up when you file your claim or change it later.

The whole unemployment system needs an overhaul. It's 2025 and we're still dealing with outdated phone systems and confusing websites. At least Washington ESD is better than some states though.

Been through this process twice unfortunately. First time I was denied because I didn't understand the questions on the application. Second time I was more careful and got approved. Take your time filling out the forms!

File online if possible - it's usually faster than calling or going to an office. The Washington ESD website lets you do everything electronically these days.

Make sure you have all your employment information ready before you start - Social Security number, employer addresses, dates of employment, wages, etc. Having everything organized will make the process smoother.

Bottom line - being fired doesn't automatically disqualify you from unemployment benefits in Washington. The key factors are whether it was for misconduct and whether you meet the other eligibility requirements. File your claim and let Washington ESD make the determination.

Good luck! Remember to file your weekly claims on time once you're approved. Missing even one week can cause delays in your payments.