Can you collect unemployment if you get fired in Washington state?

You can absolutely apply for unemployment even if you were fired! Washington ESD will determine if you're eligible based on the reason for termination. If you were fired for misconduct, that's different than being fired for performance issues or business reasons. The key is whether it was 'misconduct connected with work' - things like theft, violence, or willful violation of company policy. Performance issues usually don't count as misconduct.

I went through something similar last year. Got fired for 'attitude problems' which was really just me asking questions about my schedule. Filed for unemployment anyway and got approved after they investigated. Washington ESD contacted my employer and everything worked out in my favor.

Just so you know, your employer will get a chance to respond to your unemployment claim. They might dispute it and claim you were fired for misconduct. But if you have documentation about the safety concerns you raised, that could really help your case. Keep any emails or texts about it.

Been trying to get through to Washington ESD for weeks about my own firing situation. Their phone lines are impossible - I've called hundreds of times and either get busy signals or sit on hold for hours just to get disconnected. Anyone have tips for actually reaching someone there?

The whole system is rigged against workers! They make it so complicated on purpose. I got fired for being 5 minutes late THREE TIMES and they still tried to deny my benefits. Had to appeal and everything.

File your claim as soon as possible! Don't wait thinking about whether you'll qualify or not. Let Washington ESD make that determination. The worst they can say is no, but you might be surprised and get approved. I was fired for 'not being a good fit' and still got benefits.

Make sure you understand the difference between being fired and being discharged. If they say you were 'let go' or 'your position was eliminated' that's different than being fired for cause. The wording matters when you file your claim.

I work in HR and see these situations all the time. Employers often try to contest unemployment claims even when they know the employee will probably win. They figure some people won't appeal if they get denied initially. Don't let that discourage you!

Whatever you do, be completely honest on your application. Don't try to hide that you were fired or make it sound like something it wasn't. Washington ESD will find out anyway when they contact your employer, and lying will hurt your case more than the truth.

Also remember you have to be actively looking for work and able to work to collect benefits. Keep track of your job search activities because they'll ask about it when you file your weekly claims. The requirements are pretty specific about how many jobs you have to apply for each week.

Been unemployed for 6 months now after getting fired and I'm still fighting with them about my benefits. The adjudication process is taking forever and I can't get anyone on the phone to check my status. This system is broken.

Quick question - if you get fired can you still get benefits if you find a new job right away? Like if I file for unemployment but then get hired somewhere before my claim is processed?

Don't forget about the waiting week! Even if you get approved, there's usually a one-week waiting period before benefits start. Plan accordingly for your finances.

Just wanted to add that if your employer tries to say you were fired for misconduct, you'll probably end up in adjudication while they investigate. That can take several weeks but don't panic - keep filing your weekly claims during that time. If you win, you'll get backpay for those weeks.

One more thing - if you do end up needing to appeal a denial, don't try to do it alone. There are free legal aid services that can help with unemployment appeals. The hearing process can be tricky if you don't know what you're doing.

I got fired from my last job for 'violation of company policy' but it was really just me taking my legally required breaks. Still got unemployment benefits after they investigated. Sometimes what employers call 'misconduct' isn't actually misconduct under the law.

I went through a very similar situation about 8 months ago - got fired for "performance issues" right after I filed a complaint with OSHA about unsafe working conditions at my warehouse job. The timing was way too suspicious. I was nervous about filing for unemployment because I thought being fired automatically disqualified you, but I'm so glad I did it anyway. Washington ESD approved my claim after investigating, and they found that my employer couldn't prove any actual misconduct. The whole process took about 4 weeks from filing to getting my first payment. My advice is definitely file ASAP and be completely honest about the safety concerns you raised - that actually strengthens your case since retaliation for reporting safety issues is illegal. Don't let them intimidate you out of getting the benefits you've earned!

I'm in a very similar boat right now - just got let go yesterday after raising concerns about our equipment not being properly maintained. My supervisor said it was due to "not meeting expectations" but I've never had any formal warnings or write-ups in my 18 months there. The timing seems way too convenient since I sent an email to HR about safety issues just two weeks ago. Reading through all these responses is really helpful - I had no idea you could still get unemployment benefits even when fired. I'm definitely going to file my claim today and see what happens. It's reassuring to know that Washington ESD actually investigates these situations rather than just taking the employer's word for it. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences!

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - got fired last week for what they called "insubordination" but really I was just asking questions about overtime pay and break policies. Been with the company for almost 3 years and suddenly I'm a problem employee? The whole thing feels sketchy. Reading through everyone's experiences here is really eye-opening though. I had always assumed that getting fired meant you were automatically disqualified from unemployment benefits, but it sounds like Washington ESD actually looks at the real reasons behind the termination. I'm going to file my claim this weekend and see what happens. It's encouraging to see so many people who fought back and won their cases, especially when employers tried to claim misconduct when it was really just retaliation for standing up for workers' rights.

I'm going through something really similar right now - got terminated last Friday for "poor performance" but it happened just three days after I submitted a written complaint to my manager about hazardous chemicals being stored improperly in our break room. I've been there for 14 months with no previous disciplinary actions, so the timing feels really suspicious. Reading everyone's stories here has been incredibly helpful! I was so worried that being fired would automatically disqualify me from benefits, but it sounds like Washington ESD actually investigates whether the termination was legitimate or retaliation. I'm going to file my claim tomorrow morning and make sure to mention the safety complaint I filed. It's really encouraging to see how many people here have successfully gotten benefits even after being fired, especially when it involved safety concerns or workers standing up for their rights. Thanks for creating this thread - it's given me the confidence to fight for what I deserve!

I'm currently going through something very similar - got fired last Monday for what they called "failure to follow procedures" but it happened just one week after I filed a complaint with HR about unsafe ladder conditions on our job site. I've been with the company for over 2 years and never had any disciplinary issues until I started asking questions about safety protocols. The timing is way too suspicious to be a coincidence. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly reassuring! I had no idea you could still qualify for unemployment benefits after being fired - I thought termination automatically disqualified you. But it sounds like Washington ESD actually looks at the real reasons behind the firing and doesn't just take the employer's word for it. I'm planning to file my claim this week and definitely mention the safety complaint I made. It's really encouraging to see so many people who successfully got benefits even when their employers tried to claim misconduct. Thanks to everyone for sharing your stories - it's given me the confidence to stand up for myself and not let them get away with what feels like clear retaliation!

I'm going through almost the exact same situation right now! Got terminated yesterday for "unsatisfactory performance" but it came just two weeks after I raised concerns about our workplace not providing proper safety equipment. I've been there 16 months with consistently good reviews until suddenly last month they started nitpicking everything I did. The timing is way too suspicious. Reading all these responses has been so helpful - I honestly thought being fired meant I was automatically out of luck for unemployment benefits. It's really encouraging to see that Washington ESD actually investigates these cases properly and doesn't just rubber stamp whatever the employer claims. I'm definitely going to file my claim first thing Monday morning and make sure to document everything about the safety equipment issues I reported. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - it's giving me the courage to fight this instead of just accepting it!

Reading through all these stories really hits home for me. I just went through something similar last month - got fired for "attitude problems" right after I started asking questions about unpaid overtime and meal break violations. Been with the company for 2.5 years and suddenly I'm a "problem employee"? The whole thing felt like retaliation but I was scared to file for unemployment because I thought being fired automatically disqualified me. After seeing everyone's experiences here, I finally filed my claim and just heard back from Washington ESD - they approved it! My former employer tried to contest it claiming I was insubordinate, but ESD saw right through it when they looked at the timeline of my questions about wage violations versus when I suddenly became a "poor performer." For anyone hesitating about filing - just do it! The worst they can say is no, but you might be surprised. Document everything and be honest about any workplace issues you reported. Washington ESD really does investigate fairly and they know how to spot employer retaliation patterns.