Can you collect unemployment if you were fired in Washington?

Yes you can still get unemployment even if you were fired, but it depends on WHY you were fired. If it was for misconduct or willful violations of company policy, then no. But if it was for performance issues or not being a good fit, you should be eligible. When you file your claim, be honest about why you were terminated.

I went through this exact situation 6 months ago. Got fired for 'performance issues' but really they were just cutting costs. Filed for UI benefits and got approved after about 3 weeks of adjudication. The key is being completely truthful on your application about the circumstances.

If you're having trouble getting through to Washington ESD to ask questions about your specific situation, I had success using Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get connected to an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Way better than trying to call for hours and getting hung up on.

The Washington ESD will review your termination during adjudication. They look at whether you were fired for misconduct (things like theft, fighting, excessive tardiness) vs. non-misconduct reasons (poor performance, reduction in force, etc.). Performance issues usually qualify you for benefits unless there was willful neglect of duties.

ugh the whole system is so confusing!! I got fired 2 months ago and STILL waiting on my adjudication to finish. they keep saying they need more information but won't tell me what information?? so frustrating

Same boat here. Got let go 3 weeks ago supposedly for 'not meeting expectations' but I think they just wanted to hire someone cheaper. Filed my claim but it's been in adjudication ever since. At least I know I'm not alone in this situation.

Pro tip: document everything about your termination while it's fresh in your memory. Write down exactly what was said, any witnesses present, what led up to it, etc. This will help if Washington ESD needs more details during their investigation.

Been there done that. Washington ESD approved my claim even though I was fired. Took about a month to get through adjudication but got backpay for the whole time. Don't let your employer scare you into thinking you can't get benefits.

Just remember you still have to do your weekly claims even during adjudication, and you'll need to be actively job searching. Don't slack on the job search requirements or they can deny your claim for that reason instead.

The waiting is the worst part honestly. I was so stressed about money while waiting for my adjudication to complete. But once it went through I got all the backpay so it worked out.

If anyone needs to actually talk to someone at Washington ESD about their specific case, seriously try Claimyr. I was in the same spot as OP - fired and worried about eligibility. Used their service to get through and the agent explained exactly what would happen during my adjudication process.

I was fired for attendance issues (had some family stuff going on) and still got approved for unemployment. As long as it wasn't gross misconduct you probably have a good chance.

One more thing to keep in mind - even if your employer contests your claim, that doesn't mean you'll be denied. Washington ESD makes the final decision based on all the evidence, not just what your employer says.

The system is set up to help people who lose their jobs through no fault of their own. Being fired for performance (as opposed to misconduct) usually falls into that category. File your claim and let Washington ESD sort it out.

Whatever you do, don't wait to file. You can't get benefits for weeks before you actually file your claim, even if you're eventually approved. The sooner you file, the sooner your adjudication starts.

Been following this thread and wanted to add - I also used Claimyr when I couldn't get through to Washington ESD. The agent I spoke with explained that performance-related firings are usually approved as long as there's no evidence of willful misconduct. Really helped ease my anxiety about the whole process.

Update us on how it goes OP! I'm in a similar situation and would love to hear about your experience with the process.

Just remember that every case is different. What happened to other people might not be exactly what happens to you. But the general principle is that if you weren't fired for misconduct, you should be eligible for benefits.

The adjudication process can be nerve-wracking but try to stay positive. Washington ESD is generally fair in their determinations as long as you're honest about what happened.

One last piece of advice - if you do get approved, make sure you understand all the requirements for continuing to receive benefits. Job search requirements, reporting any income, etc. It's easy to mess up and lose your benefits later.

Thanks for posting this question OP. I learned a lot from reading everyone's responses. Going to file my own claim this week after putting it off for too long.