Can you collect unemployment if you were terminated - Washington ESD eligibility question

You can absolutely still file for unemployment even if you were terminated! Washington ESD doesn't automatically deny benefits just because you were fired. What matters is WHY you were fired. If it was for misconduct, that's different than being fired for poor performance or attendance issues that weren't willful misconduct.

I got fired from my last job for being late too many times and still got approved for unemployment. The key is that Washington ESD will investigate and determine if your termination was for 'misconduct connected with work.' Attendance issues usually don't qualify as misconduct unless you were like deliberately no-showing without calling.

File your claim ASAP! Even if you're not sure about eligibility, it's better to apply and let Washington ESD decide. The worst they can do is deny it, but you might be surprised. I've seen people get approved who thought they wouldn't qualify.

Been trying to get through to Washington ESD for weeks about my own termination case. Their phone lines are absolutely impossible. If you need to actually talk to someone about your specific situation, I just found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helps you get through to ESD agents. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNe3C7zQ showing how it works. Saved me hours of calling.

The system is so confusing though. Like what exactly counts as misconduct vs just being a bad employee? I got written up a few times for small stuff before they fired me.

I worked at Washington ESD for 3 years and can tell you that attendance-related terminations rarely get denied for misconduct. The bar for misconduct is pretty high - we're talking about things like stealing, violence, gross insubordination, or repeated violations after clear warnings.

ugh this whole system is such a nightmare. Been waiting 4 weeks just to hear back about whether I qualify. Meanwhile bills are piling up and I can't get anyone on the phone at ESD.

What if your employer lies about why they fired you? My boss told unemployment I was stealing but that's completely false. Do they investigate that stuff?

File your weekly claims even while you're waiting for the initial determination! A lot of people don't know this but if you get approved later, you can get backpay for those weeks you were eligible but didn't claim.

Same situation happened to my brother. Got fired for attendance, filed for unemployment, went through adjudication for about a month, and got approved. The key was proving he had legitimate reasons for the absences and followed company policy for calling in.

Pro tip: when you file your claim, be completely honest about why you were terminated. Don't try to sugarcoat it or leave things out because your employer will give their version anyway. Honesty is always the best policy with Washington ESD.

Does anyone know how long the adjudication process typically takes these days? I filed 2 weeks ago and still showing 'under review' status.

Just want to echo what others said - being fired doesn't automatically disqualify you! I got terminated from two different jobs and was approved for benefits both times. Washington ESD really does look at the specific circumstances.