Can you collect unemployment if you're fired in Washington?
Got terminated from my job last week and wondering if I can still file for unemployment benefits in Washington state. My supervisor said it was due to 'performance issues' but I feel like they just wanted to get rid of me because I complained about safety violations. I've been working there for 2 years and never had any formal write-ups or warnings. Does Washington ESD approve claims when you're fired? I'm really stressed about this because I need to pay rent and I don't know if I should even bother applying.
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KylieRose
You can absolutely file for unemployment even if you were fired! In Washington state, you're eligible unless you were terminated for misconduct. Performance issues don't automatically disqualify you - Washington ESD looks at whether your actions were willful or deliberate. The key is that you weren't fired for breaking company rules on purpose or doing something really bad. File your claim right away because there's a waiting period.
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Aaliyah Jackson
•Thank you! That's really helpful. I was worried they'd automatically deny me because I was fired instead of laid off.
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Miguel Hernández
•Yeah definitely file ASAP. Even if they initially deny it you can appeal the decision. I got fired for 'attitude problems' and still got approved after explaining my side.
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Sasha Ivanov
The Washington ESD will investigate your termination during the adjudication process. They'll contact both you and your former employer to get details about why you were fired. If your employer claims misconduct, you'll have a chance to provide your version of events. Document everything you can remember about the termination meeting and any safety issues you reported. Performance-related terminations usually qualify for benefits unless there was gross negligence or willful violation of company policy.
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Aaliyah Jackson
•Should I mention the safety violations I reported when I file my claim? I'm worried that might make them think I was a problem employee.
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Sasha Ivanov
•Absolutely mention it! Reporting safety violations is protected activity and if they fired you for that, it could actually strengthen your case. Washington has strong protections for whistleblowers.
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Liam Murphy
I was in a similar situation and had trouble getting through to Washington ESD to check on my claim status. The phone lines are always busy and I kept getting disconnected. I found this service called Claimyr that actually got me through to a real person at Washington ESD within minutes. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me hours of frustration trying to call myself.
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Amara Okafor
•How much does that cost? I'm already broke from losing my job.
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Liam Murphy
•It's definitely worth it when you need to actually talk to someone at Washington ESD. Way better than sitting on hold for hours or never getting through at all.
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CaptainAwesome
wait so if i get fired for being late all the time i can still get unemployment?? that seems wrong tbh
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KylieRose
•Chronic tardiness could be considered misconduct if you were warned about it repeatedly and continued anyway. It depends on the specific circumstances and whether you had good cause for being late.
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Yuki Tanaka
•Yeah the system is pretty generous honestly. I know people who got fired for all kinds of stuff and still collected benefits.
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Esmeralda Gómez
FILE IMMEDIATELY! Don't wait! I made the mistake of waiting 2 weeks because I was embarrassed about being fired and it delayed my whole claim. Washington ESD backpays from when you file, not from when you lost your job. The sooner you file the sooner you can start getting benefits if approved.
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Aaliyah Jackson
•Good point, I'll file today. Do I need to have my final paycheck stub or anything specific?
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Esmeralda Gómez
•You'll need your Social Security number, employer information, and dates of employment. Having your final pay stub helps but you can file without it and add details later.
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Klaus Schmidt
The fact that you complained about safety violations before being fired could actually work in your favor. Washington has strong protections against retaliation for reporting workplace safety issues. If there's any connection between your complaints and the termination, that could be considered wrongful termination rather than misconduct.
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Aaliyah Jackson
•I did report the safety issues about 3 weeks before I got fired. There was oil spilled in the warehouse that wasn't getting cleaned up properly and I told my supervisor it was a slip hazard.
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Klaus Schmidt
•Document that timeline! The timing between your safety report and termination could be evidence of retaliation. Make sure to include those details when you file your claim.
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Aisha Patel
•You might also want to contact L&I about the safety violations if they haven't been addressed. They take workplace safety seriously in Washington.
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LilMama23
I'm going through adjudication right now for a similar situation. Been waiting 3 weeks for them to make a decision. The waiting is killing me financially but my friend said most people get approved eventually if it wasn't for serious misconduct.
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Aaliyah Jackson
•3 weeks is really long! Have you been able to get any updates on your case?
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LilMama23
•I've tried calling but can never get through. The online system just says 'adjudication in progress' with no other details.
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Liam Murphy
•That's exactly why I used Claimyr - I needed to talk to someone about my adjudication status and couldn't get through on my own. They connected me to a Washington ESD agent who was able to tell me exactly what was needed to move my case forward.
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Dmitri Volkov
Just want to add that even if Washington ESD initially denies your claim, you can appeal the decision. The appeal process gives you another chance to present your case and explain why the termination wasn't misconduct. I've seen people win appeals even after being denied initially.
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Aaliyah Jackson
•How long do you have to file an appeal if they deny it?
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Dmitri Volkov
•You have 30 days from the date of the determination letter to file an appeal. Don't wait if you disagree with their decision.
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Gabrielle Dubois
Washington ESD is actually pretty fair about this stuff. They understand that people get fired for all kinds of reasons and not all of them are the employee's fault. As long as you weren't stealing, fighting, or deliberately violating policies, you'll probably qualify.
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Tyrone Johnson
•That's reassuring. I was worried they'd side with the employer automatically since they're the ones paying into the system.
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Gabrielle Dubois
•Nope, Washington ESD is supposed to be neutral. They investigate both sides and make a decision based on the facts.
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Ingrid Larsson
One thing to keep in mind is that you'll need to be actively looking for work while collecting benefits. Washington ESD requires you to make at least 3 job search contacts per week and be available for work. Make sure you're ready to start job hunting immediately.
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Aaliyah Jackson
•Do I need to register with WorkSource Washington too?
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Ingrid Larsson
•Yes, you'll need to register with WorkSource within a certain timeframe. They'll tell you the requirements when you file your claim.
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Carlos Mendoza
I got fired from my last job for 'poor performance' but it was really because I couldn't keep up with the unrealistic quotas they set. Still got approved for unemployment because Washington ESD said the expectations were unreasonable. Don't let them scare you into thinking you can't get benefits.
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Aaliyah Jackson
•That's encouraging! My situation sounds similar - they said performance issues but I think they just wanted to avoid dealing with the safety problems I reported.
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Carlos Mendoza
•Exactly! A lot of times 'performance issues' is just an excuse to get rid of someone without having to pay severance or deal with other complications.
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Zainab Mahmoud
Quick question - if you get fired can you still get the maximum benefit amount or is it reduced?
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KylieRose
•Your benefit amount is based on your wages during the base period, not on why you became unemployed. Being fired doesn't reduce your weekly benefit amount.
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Zainab Mahmoud
•Good to know! I was worried there might be some kind of penalty for being terminated.
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Ava Williams
The system is designed to help people who lose their jobs through no fault of their own. Even if you were fired, as long as it wasn't for willful misconduct, you should qualify. The burden is on the employer to prove misconduct, not on you to prove innocence.
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Aaliyah Jackson
•That's a relief. I was worried I'd have to prove I was a perfect employee or something.
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Ava Williams
•Nope! Washington ESD assumes you're eligible unless the employer can prove you committed misconduct. It's innocent until proven guilty basically.
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Raj Gupta
Whatever you do, don't lie on your application about why you were terminated. Be honest about being fired but explain the circumstances. Washington ESD will find out the truth anyway when they contact your employer, and lying will definitely disqualify you.
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Aaliyah Jackson
•Definitely planning to be honest. I'll explain about the safety violations and how the timing seems suspicious.
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Raj Gupta
•Good plan. Honesty is always the best policy with Washington ESD. They deal with these situations all the time and can usually tell when someone is being truthful.
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Lena Müller
I used to work in HR and saw a lot of unemployment claims. Most people who get fired for performance reasons do end up getting approved for benefits. The employer has to provide specific examples of misconduct, not just general statements about poor performance.
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Aaliyah Jackson
•That's really helpful insight from someone who's seen it from the employer side. Makes me feel more confident about filing.
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Lena Müller
•Yeah, most employers don't fight unemployment claims very hard unless there was clear misconduct like theft or violence. It's usually not worth their time and resources.
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TechNinja
Just file the claim and see what happens. The worst they can do is deny it, and then you can appeal. You're not going to get in trouble for filing if you're not eligible - they just won't pay you.
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Aaliyah Jackson
•True, nothing to lose by trying. I'll file today and see what happens.
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TechNinja
•Exactly! And who knows, you might be pleasantly surprised. Washington ESD approves more claims than they deny in my experience.
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Keisha Thompson
Good luck with your claim! The process can be stressful but remember that unemployment benefits exist for situations exactly like yours. Don't feel guilty about using a safety net that you've paid into through your work.
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Aaliyah Jackson
•Thank you for the encouragement! I really appreciate everyone's help and advice. Feeling much more confident about filing now.
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Keisha Thompson
•You're welcome! Hope everything works out for you. Keep us posted on how it goes!
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