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Aidan Hudson

Can u receive Washington ESD unemployment if fired from job?

Got terminated last Friday from my warehouse job and wondering if I can still file for unemployment benefits through Washington ESD. My supervisor said it was due to performance issues but I think it was really because I complained about safety violations. Does being fired automatically disqualify you from UI benefits in Washington? I've been working there for 2 years and this is my first time dealing with unemployment stuff.

You can definitely still apply for unemployment even if you were fired. Washington ESD will investigate whether the termination was for 'misconduct' - performance issues usually don't count as misconduct unless it was willful or deliberate. File your claim ASAP since there's a waiting period anyway.

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Thank you! That's a relief. Should I mention the safety complaint when I file or just stick to what they put in my termination paperwork?

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Definitely mention the safety complaint - that could actually strengthen your case since retaliation firing would likely be considered non-misconduct termination.

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same thing happened to my brother last year, he got fired for 'attitude problems' but still got approved for benefits. took like 3 weeks though because they had to do an investigation

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3 weeks isn't too bad I guess. Did Washington ESD contact his old employer during the investigation?

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yeah they called both him and the company, asked a bunch of questions about what happened

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Getting fired doesn't automatically disqualify you from Washington ESD benefits. The key is whether it was misconduct connected to your work. Performance issues, inability to do the job, or even personality conflicts typically don't count as disqualifying misconduct. However, things like theft, violence, or willful violation of company policies would disqualify you.

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This is really helpful. They said I wasn't meeting productivity standards but I was trying my best. Does that sound like it would qualify for benefits?

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That sounds like a performance issue rather than misconduct. As long as you were making a good faith effort to do the job, you should be eligible for benefits.

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I had such a hard time getting through to Washington ESD when I was fired last year. Spent HOURS on hold trying to get someone to explain the process. Eventually 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. Made the whole process so much easier.

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Never heard of that before. Did it actually work for you?

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Yeah it was legit. Got me connected to someone at Washington ESD within like 20 minutes instead of calling all day and getting nowhere.

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I'm skeptical of services like that but honestly if it saves me from sitting on hold for 6 hours I might try it

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THE SYSTEM IS RIGGED AGAINST WORKERS! I got fired for 'insubordination' which was really just me standing up for my rights and they STILL denied my claim initially. Had to appeal and fight for months to get what I deserved. Washington ESD always sides with employers first.

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That sounds awful. Did you eventually win your appeal?

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Yes but it took 4 months and I almost lost my apartment waiting for the money. The whole system needs to be torn down and rebuilt.

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When you file your initial claim, be completely honest about the circumstances of your termination. Washington ESD will likely put your claim into adjudication to investigate, which means there will be a delay while they determine eligibility. This is normal for fired employees.

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What's adjudication exactly? How long does that usually take?

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Adjudication is when they investigate disputed claims. They'll contact you and your former employer to get both sides of the story. Usually takes 2-4 weeks but can be longer if they're backlogged.

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omg yes you can get benefits if fired! my friend got fired from target for being late too much and she still got unemployment lol

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Being chronically late could actually be considered misconduct depending on the circumstances. Your friend got lucky or there were other factors involved.

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idk she just filed online and got approved, didn't seem like a big deal

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Quick update - I filed my claim online this morning and it went through the system. Says my claim is pending and I need to do weekly certifications starting next week. Fingers crossed it doesn't go into adjudication for too long.

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Good job filing quickly! Keep doing your weekly claims even while it's pending. And start keeping a job search log right away since you'll need to show you're actively looking for work.

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Thanks for the reminder about job searching. Do I need to apply to a certain number of jobs each week?

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I was fired from my last job for 'poor performance' but honestly it was because I had to miss work when my kid was sick and they didn't like it. Still got my unemployment benefits after they investigated. Don't let them scare you - you have rights!

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That's encouraging to hear. Did you have to provide any documentation during the investigation?

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They asked for my side of the story in writing and I sent them copies of my kid's doctor notes showing the absences were legitimate.

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been there done that, got the t-shirt. fired three times in my life and got unemployment every single time. the trick is being honest but not over-explaining

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What do you mean by not over-explaining?

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just answer their questions directly, don't volunteer extra info that might hurt your case

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Remember that even if your initial claim gets denied, you have the right to appeal. Many people win on appeal even after being denied initially. The appeals process gives you a chance to present your case to an administrative law judge.

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Good to know I have options if things don't go well. How long do you have to file an appeal?

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You have 30 days from the date of the determination letter to file an appeal. Don't wait - file as soon as you get a denial if you disagree with it.

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Ugh I'm going through this exact same thing right now! Got fired last month for 'not being a good fit' which is basically code for 'we don't like you but can't prove misconduct.' My claim has been in adjudication for 3 weeks now and I'm going crazy waiting.

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That's so frustrating! Have you been able to talk to anyone at Washington ESD about the delay?

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I keep trying to call but can never get through. Might have to try that Claimyr thing someone mentioned earlier.

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Pro tip: when you're doing your weekly claims, make sure you answer the questions about being available for work correctly. Even though you were fired, you still need to be actively seeking new employment to qualify for benefits.

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Yeah I've been applying to jobs already. Do I need to keep records of where I apply?

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Absolutely! Keep a detailed log with company names, positions, dates, and how you applied. Washington ESD can ask for this information at any time.

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This happened to my coworker and she said the key is to frame it as a performance issue rather than misconduct. Like if you weren't meeting quotas, that's just not being able to do the job rather than refusing to do it.

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That makes sense. There's definitely a difference between can't do the job and won't do the job.

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Exactly right. Washington ESD looks at intent - were you trying to do the job but failing, or were you deliberately not doing what you were supposed to do?

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I used Claimyr when I couldn't get through to Washington ESD about my adjudication taking forever. Worth every penny to actually talk to a real person who could explain what was happening with my claim.

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How much does something like that cost?

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I don't remember exactly but it wasn't expensive compared to the stress of not knowing what was happening with my benefits.

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just want to say hang in there! being fired sucks but unemployment benefits are there for exactly this situation. you paid into the system and you deserve to get help when you need it

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Thanks for the encouragement! It's been a rough week but this thread has really helped me understand the process better.

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Make sure you file for benefits even if you're not sure you qualify. The worst they can do is say no, but if you don't file at all you definitely won't get anything. Plus there's a waiting week so the sooner you file the better.

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Already filed this morning! Figured it was better to try and get denied than not try at all.

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Smart move. That waiting week starts from when you file, not when you get approved.

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One thing people don't mention enough is that your former employer has to prove misconduct, not the other way around. If they just say 'performance issues' without specific examples of willful behavior, you should be fine.

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That's a good point. They never gave me specific examples of what I was doing wrong, just said I wasn't meeting standards.

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That sounds like a pretty weak case for misconduct on their part. You should be approved once they finish the investigation.

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Anyone else think it's crazy that you have to prove you deserve help when you lose your job? Like we pay into unemployment insurance our whole working lives but then have to jump through hoops to use it.

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EXACTLY! The system is designed to deny benefits first and ask questions later. It's all about protecting employers and saving the state money.

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While I understand the frustration, the investigations help prevent fraud and ensure benefits go to eligible claimants. It's about balancing access with program integrity.

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I got fired for 'attendance issues' when I was actually dealing with a family emergency. Got my benefits after explaining the situation. Be prepared to tell your whole story if they ask.

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Good advice. I'll make sure to mention the safety complaint and how that might have influenced their decision to fire me.

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Bottom line - getting fired doesn't automatically disqualify you from unemployment benefits in Washington. File your claim, be honest about what happened, and let Washington ESD make the determination. Don't talk yourself out of benefits you might be entitled to.

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Thanks everyone for all the helpful advice! I'm feeling much more confident about the process now. Will update if anything interesting happens with my claim.

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Please do update us! Your situation will probably help other people in similar circumstances.

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