Can you apply for Washington ESD unemployment if you get fired?
I got terminated from my job last week and I'm not sure if I can even apply for unemployment benefits through Washington ESD. My manager said it was due to performance issues but I feel like it was really because I complained about working conditions. Does getting fired automatically disqualify you from getting UI benefits? I've never had to deal with this before and I'm really stressed about paying my bills.
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Alice Pierce
You can definitely apply for unemployment even if you were fired! Washington ESD will review your case to determine if the termination was for 'misconduct' or not. Performance issues usually don't count as misconduct unless it was willful neglect of duties. File your claim ASAP because there's a waiting period.
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Amy Fleming
•That's a relief to hear. How do I know if what they fired me for counts as misconduct? They said I wasn't meeting quotas but I was dealing with some health issues that affected my work.
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Alice Pierce
•Health issues that affected performance generally wouldn't be misconduct. You should definitely mention that in your application. Keep any documentation you have about your health situation.
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Esteban Tate
The key thing Washington ESD looks at is whether you were fired for misconduct connected to your work. Things like theft, violence, or repeatedly violating company policy after warnings could disqualify you. But performance issues, inability to do the job, or personality conflicts usually won't. Apply online at esd.wa.gov and answer all questions honestly.
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Ivanna St. Pierre
•This is exactly right. I got fired for attendance issues but still got approved because it was due to transportation problems, not willful misconduct.
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Amy Fleming
•Thanks, that makes me feel better. I definitely wasn't stealing or anything like that. Just struggling to keep up with unrealistic expectations.
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Elin Robinson
I went through something similar and had trouble getting through to Washington ESD to check on my claim status after filing. If you run into the same issue with their phone lines being constantly busy, I found this service called Claimyr at claimyr.com that helps you get through to an actual agent. There's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Really saved me a lot of frustration.
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Atticus Domingo
•Never heard of that before. Is it legit? I'm always skeptical of third-party services when it comes to government stuff.
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Elin Robinson
•Yeah it's totally legitimate. They just help you get through the phone queue, you still talk directly to Washington ESD staff. I was desperate after trying to call for days with no luck.
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Beth Ford
File immediately! Even if you think you might get denied, it's better to have the claim in the system. The worst they can do is say no, but you might be surprised. I thought I'd be disqualified when I got fired but ended up getting benefits.
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Amy Fleming
•Good point. I guess there's no harm in trying. Do you remember how long it took to hear back after you applied?
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Beth Ford
•It took about 2-3 weeks for me, but that was during a busy period. Make sure you keep filing your weekly claims even while they're reviewing your case.
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Morita Montoya
washington esd will ask your employer why you were fired and you'll get a chance to give your side of the story. if they say performance but you have evidence it was retaliation for complaints about working conditions, definitely include that info. document everything!!
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Amy Fleming
•I do have some emails where I raised safety concerns before getting fired. Should I include those when I apply?
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Esteban Tate
•Absolutely include those! That could really help your case if it shows the timing was suspicious.
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Ivanna St. Pierre
The Washington ESD adjudication process can take a while if your case isn't straightforward. Don't panic if your claim shows 'pending' for several weeks. That's normal for fired employees while they investigate.
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Amy Fleming
•Several weeks?! I was hoping to get some money coming in sooner than that. Bills don't wait unfortunately.
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Ivanna St. Pierre
•I know it's stressful. If you get approved, they'll backpay you to your claim start date. So you won't lose out on the money, just have to wait for it.
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Kingston Bellamy
•That's assuming you get approved though. I got fired and they denied me, had to go through a whole appeals process that took months.
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Alice Pierce
One important thing - make sure you're actively looking for work and keeping track of your job search activities. Washington ESD requires you to make at least 3 job search contacts per week and log them in your WorkSourceWA account. This requirement starts immediately even while your claim is pending.
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Amy Fleming
•Wait, I have to start looking for work before I even know if I'll get benefits? That seems weird.
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Alice Pierce
•Yes, the job search requirement applies as soon as you file, not when you're approved. It's one of those things they don't explain well but can trip people up later.
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Atticus Domingo
I'm dealing with a similar situation right now. Filed 3 weeks ago after getting fired and still haven't heard anything. The waiting is killing me. At least I know I'm not alone in this.
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Amy Fleming
•3 weeks with no update sounds really stressful. Have you been able to get through to anyone at Washington ESD to check on it?
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Atticus Domingo
•No luck calling them. Their phone lines are impossible. Might try that Claimyr thing someone mentioned earlier.
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Joy Olmedo
The system is so broken. They make it nearly impossible to get through on the phone and then take forever to process claims. It's like they want people to give up and not claim benefits they're entitled to.
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Isaiah Cross
•I feel you on the frustration but complaining doesn't help OP. The system has issues but people do get their benefits eventually.
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Joy Olmedo
•Fair enough. OP just don't get discouraged if the process is slow and frustrating. Keep pushing through.
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Kiara Greene
Quick question - do you have to report severance pay if you got any? I got fired with 2 weeks severance and wasn't sure if that affects my unemployment claim.
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Esteban Tate
•Yes, you need to report severance pay. It might delay when your benefits start but you should still be eligible after the severance period ends.
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Amy Fleming
•I didn't get any severance, they just walked me out the door. Guess that's one less thing to worry about.
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Evelyn Kelly
Here's what happened with my fired claim: Applied online, got a letter asking for more info about the termination, had to do a phone interview with an adjudicator, then waited 2 more weeks for a decision. Got approved because my firing was for poor performance, not misconduct. Total process took about 6 weeks.
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Amy Fleming
•That timeline helps a lot, thanks. Did they contact your employer during that process too?
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Evelyn Kelly
•Yes, they contacted my employer and asked them to provide details about why I was terminated. My employer had to submit their side of the story.
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Paloma Clark
•6 weeks is actually pretty fast from what I've seen. Mine took almost 3 months because my employer disputed the claim.
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Heather Tyson
Pro tip: when you do your phone interview with Washington ESD (if they schedule one), be honest but focus on facts, not emotions. Don't badmouth your employer even if they treated you unfairly. Stick to what happened and why it wasn't misconduct on your part.
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Amy Fleming
•Good advice. I'm definitely still angry about how I was treated but I'll try to keep it professional if they interview me.
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Heather Tyson
•Exactly. Save the venting for friends and family. With Washington ESD, just stick to the facts that support your case.
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Raul Neal
Another option if you can't get through to Washington ESD by phone is to message them through your SecureAccess Washington account. Sometimes they respond faster to messages than calls, though it can still take a few days.
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Amy Fleming
•I'll try that if I need to contact them. Though from what I'm hearing, Claimyr might be the better option for actually talking to someone.
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Elin Robinson
•Yeah, Claimyr worked way better for me than trying to message through the website. Got through to an agent the same day I used it.
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Jenna Sloan
Don't forget you can also apply for other assistance while waiting for unemployment. Food stamps, utility assistance, etc. Every little bit helps when you're out of work.
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Amy Fleming
•That's a good reminder. I've been so focused on unemployment I haven't thought about other programs I might qualify for.
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Christian Burns
•211 is a good resource for finding local assistance programs. Just dial 2-1-1 and they can tell you what's available in your area.
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Sasha Reese
Update us on how it goes! I'm always curious to hear how these cases turn out. Hoping it works out for you.
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Amy Fleming
•Will do! I'm going to file my claim tomorrow morning. Thanks everyone for all the helpful advice and encouragement.
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Muhammad Hobbs
•Good luck! Remember to keep filing those weekly claims even while waiting for a decision.
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