Can you get unemployment if you get fired for stealing in Washington ESD?

Unfortunately, theft is considered misconduct under Washington ESD rules. If your employer can prove you were terminated for stealing, you'll likely be disqualified from receiving unemployment benefits. However, you still have the right to file a claim and let Washington ESD make the determination. They'll investigate both sides before making a decision.

Same thing happened to my cousin. She got fired for supposedly stealing cash from the register but the employer couldn't prove it was intentional. Washington ESD approved her claim after an adjudication process that took about 6 weeks. The key was that she contested the employer's version of events.

You mentioned you were going through a rough patch mentally - that might actually be relevant. If you can document mental health issues that affected your judgment, it could impact how Washington ESD views the misconduct. Consider getting documentation from a healthcare provider if possible.

I had trouble reaching Washington ESD when I needed to discuss my misconduct disqualification. Kept getting busy signals and disconnected calls. Finally found this service called Claimyr that helped me get through to an actual agent. They have a website at claimyr.com and there's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Made the whole process way less stressful.

Wait, stealing is stealing. You can't just get unemployment after getting fired for theft. That would be crazy if the system worked that way!

The key thing to understand is that Washington ESD will conduct an adjudication to determine if misconduct occurred. They'll interview both you and your employer separately. During this process, you'll want to emphasize any mitigating factors - your mental health struggles, lack of prior incidents, unclear company policies, etc.

This is exactly why I always tell people to be careful at work. One mistake and boom - no unemployment benefits when you need them most. The system is brutal.

File the claim anyway! Worst case they deny it and you're no worse off than now. But there's always a chance, especially if the employer's evidence isn't as strong as they claim.

Also keep in mind that even if you're initially disqualified, you have the right to appeal the decision. The appeals process allows you to present additional evidence and argue your case before an administrative law judge. Many people win on appeal even after losing the initial determination.

My brother went through something similar with Washington ESD. Got fired for supposedly stealing tools but it turned out the supervisor had it out for him. He eventually got his benefits after proving the allegations were exaggerated.

One thing that helped my cousin was that she immediately filed for other jobs after getting terminated. It showed Washington ESD that she was genuinely trying to get back to work, not just looking for free money.

The mental health angle is definitely worth pursuing. I know someone who got benefits after a theft termination because they could document that medication side effects were affecting their judgment at the time.

Just wanted to follow up on the Claimyr thing - it really helped me when I was dealing with my misconduct case. Being able to actually talk to a Washington ESD agent instead of getting hung up on made all the difference in understanding the process and what I needed to do.

Don't forget that Washington ESD will also look at your overall work history. If this was your first incident and you had good performance reviews otherwise, that works in your favor. They consider the totality of circumstances, not just the final incident.

Whatever you do, be completely honest in your claim application and during any interviews. Lying or trying to hide details will only make things worse if they find out later.

I'm dealing with something similar right now - got fired for 'theft of time' for allegedly falsifying timesheets. Been waiting 4 weeks for my adjudication decision. This stuff takes forever!

The whole system is designed to discourage people from applying. But you paid into unemployment insurance through your paychecks, so you have every right to file a claim and let them make the determination. Don't let guilt stop you from trying.

One more thing - if you do get approved for benefits, be prepared that your former employer might appeal the decision. This can drag the process out even longer, but don't let that discourage you from filing initially.

Just apply already! You're overthinking this. The worst they can do is say no, and then you're in the same position you're in now. But there's a chance they say yes, and then you have income while job hunting.

Good luck with your claim! Remember that even if the initial decision doesn't go your way, the appeals process gives you another chance to present your case with more time to gather evidence and prepare your argument.

I went through a similar situation last year - got terminated for alleged policy violations while dealing with severe anxiety. The key things that helped my case were: 1) Having documentation from my doctor about my mental health condition at the time, 2) Showing I had no prior disciplinary actions, and 3) Demonstrating the employer's evidence wasn't as clear-cut as they claimed. Washington ESD does consider mitigating circumstances, especially mental health issues that may have impaired judgment. Make sure to gather any medical records from that time period and be prepared to explain how your mental state may have affected your actions. The adjudication process was nerve-wracking but fair - they really do listen to both sides before making a decision.