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Yara Assad

Can you get unemployment if you get fired from your job in Washington?

My supervisor terminated me last Friday after what they called 'performance issues' but I think it was really because I complained about unsafe working conditions at our warehouse. I've been working there for almost 2 years and never had any write-ups before this. Can I still file for unemployment benefits through Washington ESD if I was fired? I'm really stressed about paying rent next month and need to know if I should even bother applying or if being fired automatically disqualifies you.

You can absolutely get unemployment benefits even if you were fired, but it depends on WHY you were fired. Washington ESD looks at whether it was 'misconduct' or not. Performance issues usually don't count as misconduct unless you were deliberately not doing your job. If it was just that you couldn't meet their standards or they were downsizing, you should qualify.

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That's reassuring! They never said I was being deliberately bad at my job, just that my numbers weren't where they wanted them. Should I mention that when I file?

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Yes, definitely be honest about the circumstances when you file your claim. Document everything you remember about the firing.

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I got fired for attendance issues last year and still got approved for benefits. The key thing is that it wasn't willful misconduct. Being late because your car broke down is different than just not showing up because you don't feel like it.

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How long did it take for your claim to get approved? I'm worried about the adjudication process taking forever.

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Mine took about 3 weeks because they had to investigate, but it worked out fine in the end.

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File your claim ASAP regardless. Even if you're not sure you qualify, it's better to get the process started. Washington ESD will investigate and make the determination. If your employer contests it, there will be an adjudication process where both sides can present their case.

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What happens during adjudication? Do I need to prove anything specific?

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They'll review the separation reason, may contact your employer, and possibly interview you by phone. Just be honest about what happened.

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Yes, you can potentially get unemployment benefits even if you were fired, but it depends on the reason. Washington ESD will determine if you were fired for misconduct or just general performance issues. Performance problems usually don't disqualify you unless there was willful misconduct involved.

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That's reassuring to hear. They said it was performance but I honestly think they just wanted to get rid of me because I asked about overtime pay.

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definitely file anyway, worst case they can deny it but you might as well try

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Yes, you can absolutely get unemployment if you're fired in Washington! The key is whether you were fired for 'misconduct' or not. Performance issues usually don't count as misconduct unless you were deliberately not doing your job. If they fired you for complaining about safety issues, that actually might be wrongful termination and you'd definitely qualify for UI benefits.

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That's reassuring to hear. How do I prove it wasn't misconduct? I don't have any documentation about the safety complaints I made.

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You'll need to document everything you remember - dates, who you talked to, what safety issues you reported. Washington ESD will investigate and contact your employer for their side too.

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You can definitely apply for unemployment even if you were fired! The key thing Washington ESD looks at is whether you were terminated for 'misconduct.' Performance issues usually don't count as misconduct unless it was willful or deliberate. Questioning safety concerns definitely shouldn't disqualify you - that's actually protected in most cases.

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That's a relief to hear. So I should definitely file a claim then? How long does it usually take for them to decide?

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Yes, file as soon as possible! The decision process varies but typically takes 2-4 weeks. They'll contact both you and your former employer to get both sides of the story.

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Washington ESD distinguishes between being fired 'for cause' versus other reasons. If your employer claims misconduct, they need to prove it was willful and substantial. Performance issues, personality conflicts, or good faith safety concerns rarely qualify as misconduct. File your claim and let them investigate.

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What exactly counts as misconduct then? I'm worried about applying because I was late a few times.

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Misconduct has to be deliberate violation of employer rules or standards. Occasional tardiness usually isn't enough unless it was excessive and you ignored warnings.

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Yes, you can potentially get unemployment benefits even if you were fired! Washington ESD looks at whether you were terminated for 'misconduct' or not. Performance issues usually don't count as misconduct unless you were willfully ignoring job duties or company policies. You should definitely apply - the worst they can say is no, but you might be surprised.

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That's encouraging! I was worried they'd automatically deny anyone who got fired. What exactly counts as misconduct then?

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Misconduct typically means things like stealing, intentionally violating safety rules, or repeatedly refusing to follow instructions after warnings. Poor performance due to lack of skills or training usually doesn't qualify as misconduct.

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If you're having trouble getting through to Washington ESD to check on your claim status or have questions about the process, I found this service called Claimyr that helps you actually reach an agent. They have a website at claimyr.com and there's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ. I used it when my claim was stuck in adjudication and finally got to talk to someone who could explain what was happening.

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Is that legit? I've been trying to call Washington ESD for weeks and just get busy signals.

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Yeah it's real, they basically call on your behalf and get you connected to an actual person. Saved me a lot of frustration.

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Yes, you can potentially get unemployment even if you were fired, but it depends on the reason. Washington ESD will investigate whether it was misconduct or just performance/business reasons. If it was misconduct (like stealing, fighting, no-showing repeatedly), you'll likely be disqualified. But poor performance or personality conflicts usually don't disqualify you.

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That's a relief to hear. It wasn't anything like stealing or fighting, just them saying I wasn't meeting sales targets consistently.

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Performance issues are usually not considered misconduct under Washington state law. You should definitely file your claim.

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File your unemployment claim as soon as possible! The sooner you apply, the sooner your benefits can start if approved. Washington ESD will contact both you and your former employer to get both sides of the story during the adjudication process. Don't let fear stop you from applying - the worst they can do is say no.

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I was planning to wait until I heard back from some job applications, but you're right, I should just file now.

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Definitely don't wait! Even if you find a job quickly, having that safety net application in progress is important.

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Yes, you can definitely get unemployment benefits in Washington if you're fired, but it depends WHY you were fired. If it was for misconduct (like stealing, violence, repeatedly violating company policy after warnings), then you'd be disqualified. But if it was for performance issues, lack of work, or other non-misconduct reasons, you should be eligible. File your claim right away - Washington ESD will investigate and make the determination.

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That's really helpful, thank you! They said it was performance but I never got any formal write-ups or warnings. Should I mention that when I file?

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Absolutely mention that. Document everything - lack of progressive discipline, the timing with your HR complaint, any witnesses. Washington ESD will contact your employer for their side too.

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You should absolutely file for unemployment benefits. The key distinction Washington ESD makes is between being fired for misconduct versus being fired for inability to do the job. If it was performance-related and not deliberate misconduct, you'll likely qualify. Make sure to file your claim as soon as possible since there's a waiting period.

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How long does the whole process take? I need to know when I might start getting payments.

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Usually takes 2-3 weeks for processing if there are no issues. Since you were fired, your claim might go into adjudication where they investigate the circumstances.

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Mine took forever to get through adjudication when I got fired. Couldn't reach anyone at Washington ESD for weeks.

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File immediately! Even if your employer contests it, you should still apply right away. The worst they can do is say no, but if you wait too long you'll lose out on benefits you might be entitled to. I got fired from my last job for 'attitude problems' (aka standing up for myself) and still got approved for unemployment.

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Did Washington ESD make you wait longer since your employer probably fought it?

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It took about 6 weeks total because it went to adjudication, but I eventually got all my back pay too.

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Getting fired doesn't automatically disqualify you from unemployment benefits in Washington. It depends on WHY you were fired. If it was for misconduct, then yes, you'd be disqualified. But if it was for performance issues, lack of work, or other reasons that aren't misconduct, you should be eligible. You should definitely apply - let Washington ESD make the determination.

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That's really helpful, thank you! What exactly counts as 'misconduct' though? I was never written up or anything, they just said my productivity wasn't meeting standards.

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Misconduct usually means willful violations of company policy, like stealing, being drunk at work, or repeatedly ignoring direct orders. Poor performance alone typically isn't misconduct unless you were deliberately not doing your job.

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I got fired last year and still got benefits. The key is being honest on your application. Don't lie about being fired - Washington ESD will find out anyway when they contact your employer. Just explain your side of the story clearly.

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Did they make you wait longer to get approved since you were fired instead of laid off?

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Mine took about 3 weeks for the adjudication process, but that's pretty normal from what I've heard.

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3 weeks?? Mine's been in adjudication for 6 weeks now and I can't get through to anyone at Washington ESD to check on it.

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I got fired from my warehouse job 6 months ago for missing too many days (I was having car troubles) and Washington ESD still approved my claim. They said it wasn't misconduct because I wasn't intentionally trying to hurt the company. You should apply right away - don't wait!

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Wow, that gives me hope! Did you have to go through any kind of appeal process or did they approve it right away?

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It took about 3 weeks for them to make a decision. They called my old employer and asked them questions about why I was fired, then they approved my claim. The waiting was stressful but worth it.

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I was in almost the exact same situation 6 months ago - got fired for "poor performance" from a customer service job. Washington ESD approved my claim after about 3 weeks of adjudication. The key is being honest about what happened but also explaining your side. If you complained about scheduling issues, that might have been retaliation which could actually work in your favor.

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Did you have any documentation about the scheduling complaints you made? I only talked to my manager verbally about it.

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I had some text messages, but even verbal complaints can help your case. Just be prepared to explain the timeline of when you complained versus when you were fired.

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I've been through this process and honestly the hardest part was actually getting through to someone at Washington ESD to check on my claim status during adjudication. If you file and they need to investigate, you might want to try Claimyr - it's a service that helps you actually reach ESD agents by phone. There's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me hours of calling and getting hung up on.

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Never heard of Claimyr before. Does it actually work or is it just another service trying to make money off desperate people?

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I was skeptical too but it actually got me through to someone same day I used it. Check out claimyr.com - they explain how it works better than I can.

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I'll definitely look into that if my claim gets stuck in adjudication. Thanks for the tip!

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Getting through to Washington ESD to check on your claim status or ask questions can be really frustrating though. I spent weeks trying to call and either got busy signals or hung up on after waiting for hours. Someone on here told me about Claimyr (claimyr.com) which actually got me connected to a real person at Washington ESD in like 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ. Super helpful when you need to talk to someone about your specific situation.

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Is that like a third party service? How does it work exactly?

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Yeah it's a service that helps you get through the phone lines to Washington ESD. They basically handle the calling and waiting for you, then connect you when an agent is available.

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I've heard of that too, might be worth trying if you can't get through the normal way.

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I was in a similar situation last year - got fired for 'attitude problems' when I complained about unsafe working conditions. Washington ESD approved my claim after investigating. The employer tried to fight it but couldn't prove I did anything wrong. Definitely apply!

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How long did the investigation take in your case? I'm stressed about paying bills while this gets sorted out.

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About 3 weeks total. The hardest part was actually getting through to Washington ESD when I had questions. I ended up using this service called Claimyr that helped me reach an agent quickly - saved me hours of calling. Check out claimyr.com if you need to talk to someone.

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The unemployment system in Washington actually leans toward helping workers, not employers. They know that most firings aren't for serious misconduct. When you file your claim, just answer all questions honestly and provide any documentation you have about your work performance or the issues that led to your termination.

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That makes me feel better. I was worried they'd automatically side with the employer.

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Nope, Washington ESD is pretty fair about investigating both sides. They've seen every excuse in the book from employers trying to avoid paying unemployment taxes.

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The misconduct standard in Washington is pretty high. They have to prove you willfully violated company policy or were grossly negligent. 'Performance issues' usually means they couldn't prove misconduct, so you should be fine. Make sure when you file that you explain your side of the story clearly in the application.

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This is exactly right. I work in HR and we rarely even bother contesting unemployment claims for performance terminations because it's so hard to prove misconduct.

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That makes me feel a lot better. I was worried I'd automatically be denied.

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ugh the whole system is so stressful!! I got fired 3 months ago and STILL waiting on my adjudication to be resolved. Washington ESD is so backed up it's ridiculous. But definitely file anyway because even if it takes forever at least you might get something eventually.

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3 months?? That's insane. Have you tried calling them?

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I've called probably 200 times and either get busy signal or they hang up after being on hold for hours. It's a nightmare.

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This is exactly why I mentioned Claimyr earlier - it's designed to deal with those exact calling problems. Might be worth trying after 3 months of no progress.

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ugh the whole system is so confusing! I got fired too and I have no idea if they're going to contest my claim or not. My boss was pretty mad when I left but it wasn't really my fault that I couldn't learn their computer system fast enough

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That sounds like it should qualify as job-related rather than misconduct. Did they provide adequate training?

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not really, they basically threw me on the floor after like one day of training and expected me to figure it out

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The key thing is to apply immediately and be completely honest about what happened. When Washington ESD reviews your claim, they'll contact your former employer to get their side of the story. If there's a discrepancy between what you say and what your employer says, it can complicate things. Document everything you can remember about your termination.

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Should I mention that I feel like they didn't train me properly? Or just stick to the facts about being fired for performance?

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Definitely mention the lack of training - that's relevant to whether your performance issues were your fault or the employer's fault. Washington ESD considers whether you had the tools and knowledge to succeed.

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Here's the deal with Washington unemployment law: You're eligible if you're unemployed through no fault of your own. Being fired for misconduct disqualifies you, but misconduct is defined pretty narrowly - it has to be willful or wanton disregard of employer interests. Poor performance, inability to do the job, personality conflicts, or even single instances of poor judgment usually don't rise to the level of misconduct that would disqualify you.

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This is exactly what I needed to know. It definitely wasn't misconduct by that definition. How long does the whole process usually take?

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If your employer doesn't contest it, you could see benefits in 2-3 weeks. If they do contest, expect adjudication to take 4-6 weeks or more.

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You should apply right away! Even if they challenge it, you can appeal. I got fired from my retail job last year for 'attendance issues' (even though I had legitimate medical reasons) and I still got approved for benefits after the initial review.

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How long did the whole process take? I'm worried about how I'll pay bills while waiting for a decision.

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It took about 3 weeks total, but I had to go through adjudication because my employer contested it. The key is to apply immediately and keep filing your weekly claims even while it's being reviewed.

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I was in a similar situation last year. Got fired from my warehouse job for allegedly missing too many days, but half of those were approved time off. Filed for unemployment anyway and after they investigated, I got approved. The employer has to prove it was misconduct, not just poor performance.

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Did your employer contest it? I'm worried mine will fight the claim.

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Yeah they contested it but I had documentation showing my absences were approved. Having records helped a lot during the hearing.

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I was in a similar situation last year and trying to get through to Washington ESD by phone was impossible. I must have called 200+ times over two weeks. Finally found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get connected to an actual person. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Made the whole process so much easier when I could actually talk to someone about my specific situation.

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I haven't even tried calling yet but everyone says it's impossible to get through. How does Claimyr work exactly?

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They basically keep calling Washington ESD for you until they get through, then connect you to the agent. Way better than sitting there redialing all day. Worth checking out if you need to talk to someone about your claim.

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Never heard of this but anything that helps with Washington ESD phone system sounds good to me. Those hold times are insane.

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wait so if i get fired for being late all the time i still get unemployment?? that doesn't seem right

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It depends on the specifics. If you were chronically late despite warnings and it violated company policy, that could be misconduct. But if it was occasional lateness or due to circumstances beyond your control, probably not.

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The system isn't perfect but it's designed to help people who lose jobs through no fault of their own. Chronic rule violations are different from performance issues or workplace conflicts.

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File online at esd.wa.gov as soon as possible. You have to file in the week you become unemployed or you can lose benefits. Even if you think you might not qualify, file anyway and let them decide.

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Already bookmarked the site. Planning to file first thing Monday morning.

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I got fired for supposedly 'not following procedures' but really it was because my manager didn't like me. Washington ESD approved my claim after investigating. Your employer has to prove misconduct, not just that they fired you. Don't let them intimidate you into not filing.

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How long did the investigation take for your case?

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About 4 weeks total. They called me, called my employer, then made their decision. I got approved and started receiving benefits retroactively.

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I've been trying to call Washington ESD for weeks about my own claim issue and can never get through. The phone system is completely overwhelmed. If you need to talk to someone about your specific situation, you might want to check out claimyr.com - they have a service that helps you get connected to actual ESD agents. I saw their demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ and it looks pretty straightforward.

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Is that legit? I'm always skeptical of services that charge to help with government stuff.

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I understand the skepticism, but sometimes you need help navigating the system. They don't ask for your personal info or anything sketchy - they just help you get through to the right person at ESD.

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Make sure you keep applying for jobs while your claim is being processed. Washington ESD requires you to do job search activities and report them on your weekly claims. Don't let that slide even if you're confident about getting approved.

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How many jobs do I need to apply for each week?

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