Can you get unemployment if you get fired in Washington state?

Yes, you can potentially get unemployment benefits even if you were fired, but it depends on WHY you were fired. Washington ESD will approve your claim if you were fired for reasons beyond your control or for poor performance that wasn't intentional misconduct. However, if you were fired for willful misconduct, theft, or violating company policy, your claim will likely be denied.

Yes you can definitely get unemployment if you're fired! The key is whether it was for 'misconduct' or not. Performance issues usually don't count as misconduct unless it was willful. Washington ESD will investigate your case during adjudication and decide if the firing was your fault or not.

Yes, you can potentially get unemployment benefits even if you were fired, but it depends on WHY you were fired. Washington ESD will approve your claim if you were terminated for reasons beyond your control, like poor performance, lack of skills, or economic reasons. However, if you were fired for misconduct (like stealing, violence, or willful violation of company policy), you'll likely be disqualified.

Yes, you can potentially get unemployment benefits even if you were fired, but it depends on the reason. Washington ESD will review your case during adjudication to determine if you were terminated for 'misconduct' or not. Performance issues alone usually don't disqualify you unless there was willful misconduct involved.

i got fired from my last job too and still got benefits. they asked me to explain what happened and i told them the truth about the situation

Yes, you can absolutely file for unemployment if you were fired, but it depends on the reason. Washington ESD looks at whether you were terminated for 'misconduct' or not. Performance issues usually don't count as misconduct unless you were deliberately not doing your job.

File your claim ASAP! You can apply online at esd.wa.gov. Even if your employer contests it, Washington ESD will investigate and make a determination. Don't let them intimidate you into not filing.

File immediately - you have nothing to lose. Washington ESD distinguishes between being fired for misconduct (which disqualifies you) versus being fired for inability to do the job, layoffs, or other non-misconduct reasons. Performance issues typically fall under inability rather than misconduct. During your weekly claims, you'll need to report that you were discharged and they'll start an adjudication to determine eligibility.

I went through something similar last year. Got fired for 'attitude problems' but really it was because I wouldn't work unpaid overtime. Filed for unemployment and after about 3 weeks of adjudication, Washington ESD approved my claim. The key is being honest about what happened.

I struggled with this exact situation last year when trying to reach Washington ESD about my fired-for-performance case. Couldn't get through on the phone for weeks to explain my side of the story. Finally found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get connected to an actual ESD agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Really saved me during my adjudication process.

I got fired last year and still got approved for UI benefits. The key is being honest on your application about why you were terminated and providing your side of the story. Washington ESD will contact your employer to get their version too.

I got fired last year and still got approved for UI benefits. The important thing is the distinction between being fired for cause vs. being fired for performance. If they can't prove you deliberately did something wrong, you should be good. File your claim ASAP though - you don't want to delay and lose potential benefits.

The whole system is so frustrating!! I was fired for being 5 minutes late three times and they're saying it's misconduct. How is that fair when I had car trouble? Washington ESD needs to understand that not everyone has perfect circumstances.

my cousin got fired for arguing with a customer and they denied his unemployment. said it was misconduct

I got fired for attendance issues and still qualified for benefits. The key is whether your employer can prove misconduct. If it's just performance or attendance without willful violation of company policy, you should be okay.

If you're having trouble getting through to Washington ESD to check on your claim status, I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helps you actually reach a live agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Saved me hours of trying to call.

being fired doesnt automatically disqualify you but your employer will probably fight it. they always do. just be prepared for a long process and maybe an appeal

Performance issues vs misconduct is such an important distinction. I work in HR and see this all the time. If an employee genuinely can't meet job requirements despite training and support, that's not misconduct. But if they refuse to follow procedures or deliberately perform poorly, that becomes misconduct. Washington ESD usually sides with the employee unless there's clear evidence of willful wrongdoing.

If you're having trouble getting through to Washington ESD to check on your claim status or explain your situation, I'd recommend trying Claimyr. It's a service that helps you get connected to actual ESD agents without sitting on hold for hours. I used it when my claim was stuck in adjudication and it saved me so much time. Check out claimyr.com and they have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

This is exactly why I used Claimyr when I got terminated. Trying to reach Washington ESD on the phone was impossible - busy signals all day. Claimyr got me through to an agent who explained exactly what documentation I needed for my termination case. Check out claimyr.com, they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

Don't let them intimidate you into not filing. Employers sometimes tell people they won't get benefits to discourage claims, but that's not their decision to make. Washington ESD makes the final determination based on the facts.

Make sure you apply as soon as possible! You can file your initial claim online through the Washington ESD website even if you're not sure you'll be approved. The worst thing that can happen is they deny it, but if you wait too long you might miss out on potential benefits.

If you're having trouble getting through to Washington ESD to check on your claim status, I found this service called Claimyr that helps you actually reach an agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. I was stuck trying to call for weeks before finding them.

washington esd is gonna side with the employer anyway so dont get your hopes up. they always find some excuse to deny claims especially if you got fired

The whole system is rigged in favor of employers anyway. They'll find some excuse to deny your claim no matter what. I got fired for being 5 minutes late ONE TIME and they still denied my unemployment.

The key thing is to document everything you can remember about your termination. Write down exactly what your supervisor said, any witnesses present, and your work history there. When you file your claim, be detailed but stick to the facts. Don't let emotions cloud your description of what happened.

ugh the whole system is so confusing... I got fired 6 months ago and still don't understand half the stuff they ask on the weekly claims. why do they make it so complicated??

Quick question - do you have to wait to file if you were fired? Or can you apply right away like with layoffs?

File your claim immediately! Even if you're not sure about eligibility, it's better to file and potentially get denied than to wait and lose out on benefits you could have received. The worst they can say is no, but you might be surprised.

Also remember that even if Washington ESD initially denies your claim, you have the right to appeal their decision. I've seen cases where people got approved on appeal even after being denied initially. The appeal process gives you a chance to present your case more thoroughly.

The unemployment system is so messed up! They make it impossible to get through to anyone and then take forever to process claims. I've been waiting 2 months for my adjudication decision and still nothing!

Make sure you understand the difference between being fired 'for cause' vs regular termination. Misconduct has a specific legal definition in Washington state unemployment law. Things like tardiness, poor performance, or personality conflicts usually don't qualify as misconduct.

I work in HR and deal with unemployment claims regularly. Performance issues alone typically don't rise to the level of misconduct in Washington. The employer has to prove you willfully disregarded their interests or violated company policy.

whatever you do dont lie on your application! they will find out and then you'll be in real trouble. just tell the truth about what happened

I got fired from two different jobs and got unemployment both times. First time was for attendance issues (I had medical problems) and second time was for not meeting productivity standards. Both times Washington ESD approved me after investigating. Don't assume you won't qualify.

I got fired from my last job too and was worried about the same thing. Turns out Washington ESD approved my claim pretty quickly because my employer couldn't prove I did anything wrong. Don't assume you'll be denied.

Been through this exact situation. Washington ESD approved my claim even though I was technically 'fired' because it was really just a personality conflict with my manager, not actual misconduct. Document everything you can remember about your termination and any conversations leading up to it.

This thread is making me feel better about my situation. I was so worried I'd be stuck without any income while job hunting.

When I got fired they said it was for attendance but I had medical documentation for my absences. Made sure to provide all that info to Washington ESD during my phone interview. Got approved because I could prove my absences were legitimate and not willful misconduct.

Whatever you do, don't lie on your application. Washington ESD will find out the truth anyway when they contact your employer. Be honest about being fired but explain your side professionally. Honesty goes a long way in these cases.

Update on my earlier comment about Claimyr - they actually helped me understand the difference between misconduct and poor performance, which was crucial for my case. When you're dealing with a termination, getting expert guidance on how to present your situation can make all the difference in your claim outcome.

Wait, I thought if you get fired you automatically can't get unemployment? That's what my coworker told me when I got let go.

been there done that, got fired and still got benefits. just file and see what happens. worst case they say no and you appeal

Also make sure you keep filing your weekly claims even if your initial claim is under review. If you don't keep up with the weekly filings, you could lose benefits for those weeks.

The adjudication process can be nerve-wracking but hang in there. Washington ESD investigators are pretty thorough and they'll interview both you and your employer before making a decision.

Had a friend who used that Claimyr service mentioned earlier when she got fired for a safety violation. Helped her get through to someone at Washington ESD to explain that she followed all the procedures correctly and it was actually a equipment malfunction. Ended up getting approved after the phone call.

The key thing is being honest about what happened when you file your claim. Don't try to hide that you were fired - they'll find out anyway when they contact your employer. Better to be upfront and let them make the determination.

I'm going through something similar right now. Got fired three weeks ago and my claim is still under adjudication. The waiting is killing me but at least I know there's still hope. Your situation sounds like it could definitely qualify for benefits.

One more important point - make sure you continue filing your weekly claims even while your initial claim is under review. If you're eventually approved, you'll get backpay for those weeks, but only if you filed the weekly claims during that time.

The unemployment system is set up to help people who lose their jobs through no fault of their own. Being fired for performance issues usually falls into that category. Don't let anyone discourage you from filing - you paid into this system through your payroll taxes.

Quick question for the thread - does anyone know if Washington ESD considers it misconduct if you were fired for not meeting sales quotas? Asking for a friend who's in a similar situation.

Been through this exact scenario twice in my career. Both times I was approved for unemployment despite being terminated. Washington ESD really does look at each case individually. The key is providing a clear, honest account of what happened.

dont forget you also have to do the job search requirements even if your claim gets approved. washington esd makes you apply for jobs and keep a log of your search activities

If you're really concerned about navigating this process, I'd recommend using a service like Claimyr to help you get through to Washington ESD agents. When I was dealing with my termination case, being able to actually talk to someone at ESD made a huge difference in understanding my options.

Good luck with your claim! Remember that being fired doesn't automatically disqualify you. Focus on presenting the facts clearly and let Washington ESD make their determination. Most people in your situation do get approved.

Just want to add that if your employer tries to claim you were fired for misconduct when you weren't, don't be afraid to fight it. I've seen employers try to block unemployment claims to avoid higher taxes, but Washington ESD will see through false misconduct claims.

Final thought - start your job search immediately even while waiting for your claim to be processed. It shows good faith and you'll be ahead of the game if you do get approved for benefits. Plus you might find something before you even need the unemployment.

Here's what you need to know about the adjudication process: Washington ESD will contact both you and your employer to get statements about the termination. They'll schedule a phone interview with you to discuss the circumstances. Be honest and stick to the facts - don't badmouth your employer but explain your perspective clearly.

Update on the Claimyr thing - I actually used it again last week when I had questions about my job search requirements. Got through to an agent in like 10 minutes instead of the usual 2-hour wait. Definitely worth it when you need actual answers.

One thing to keep in mind - even if you get approved for benefits, your former employer might appeal the decision. This happened to me and it delayed my payments for another month while they reviewed the appeal.

I'm going through something similar right now. Got fired last month for what they called 'insubordination' but really I was just advocating for myself during a meeting. Still waiting to hear back from Washington ESD about my eligibility.

Don't give up if you get initially denied! I was denied at first because my employer claimed I was fired for cause, but I appealed and won. The appeal hearing was actually pretty fair and they listened to my side of the story.

The worst part about this whole process is the uncertainty. You don't know if you'll get benefits and you don't know when you'll find out. It's impossible to plan anything when you're waiting for adjudication.

Make sure you're doing your job search activities even while waiting for adjudication. Washington ESD requires you to actively look for work and document your efforts. They can ask for your job search log at any time.

Another person recommending Claimyr here. Used them twice now when I needed to talk to Washington ESD about different issues. Way better than the frustration of calling over and over. Their site is claimyr.com if anyone wants to check it out.

I got fired for being late too many times (my car kept breaking down) and was worried I wouldn't qualify. Turns out Washington ESD approved my claim because it wasn't willful misconduct. Sometimes life happens and they understand that.

Just remember that even if you get approved, you still need to certify for benefits every week and continue your job search. The requirements don't stop once you start receiving payments.

UPDATE: I finally heard back from Washington ESD after 6 weeks of waiting. My claim was approved! Even though I was technically fired, they determined it wasn't misconduct. There's hope for everyone going through this process.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful information in this thread. I feel much more confident about filing my claim now. It's good to know there are other people going through similar situations and willing to share their experiences.

If you need to talk to someone at Washington ESD about your case, seriously consider using Claimyr. I spent two days trying to get through their phone system before someone told me about it. Game changer.

Performance issues are tricky. If they can show you weren't meeting clear expectations that were communicated to you, that could be considered misconduct. But it sounds like they didn't give you proper warnings.

My brother got fired for attendance issues and still got unemployment because the employer couldn't prove he was excessively absent. Every case is different but don't give up hope.

Make sure you have all your employment documents ready - pay stubs, employee handbook if you have it, any communications about your termination. The more documentation you have, the better.

been there. got fired for 'not fitting in' which is basically meaningless. fought it and won because washington esd said that wasnt misconduct. hang in there

The safety complaint angle could actually work in your favor. Retaliation for raising legitimate workplace safety concerns is illegal and definitely not misconduct for unemployment purposes.

Washington ESD gets thousands of these cases. They know the difference between legitimate terminations and employers trying to avoid paying unemployment. Trust the process.

One more thing - if they do initially deny your claim, don't panic. The appeal process exists for a reason and you can present your case to an administrative law judge who will look at all the evidence.

I used Claimyr last month when I couldn't get through to Washington ESD about my adjudication status. Connected me to an agent who explained exactly what was happening with my claim. Worth checking out if you need answers quickly.

Bottom line - file your claim and let Washington ESD make the determination. Don't let your employer convince you that you're not eligible. You have nothing to lose by filing.

The unemployment office will look at whether you were fired for 'misconduct' or just poor performance. There's a big difference legally. Misconduct has to be willful and work-related.

I tried calling Washington ESD yesterday for 4 hours straight and never got through to a human. The automated system kept hanging up on me. So frustrating when you just need to ask a simple question about your claim!

File your claim ASAP but also start looking for work immediately. Washington ESD requires you to actively search for jobs while receiving benefits, and you'll need to report your job search activities on your weekly claims.

same thing happened to me! got 'fired' but it was really just budget cuts disguised as performance issues. Still got my unemployment approved after they investigated.

Don't let them intimidate you into not filing. Employers sometimes exaggerate the reasons for termination to try to avoid paying higher unemployment insurance rates. File your claim and let Washington ESD decide.

If your claim gets denied initially, don't give up! You have the right to appeal the decision. I had to appeal mine and won after providing more documentation about my termination.

honestly the whole washington esd system is a mess... took me forever to figure out how to even file my initial claim online. the website is so confusing

Pro tip: when you file your claim, be very detailed in the section where they ask why you're no longer working. Don't just put 'fired' - explain the circumstances and your perspective on what happened.

I used Claimyr when I couldn't get through to ESD about my adjudication issue. Worked great - got connected to an agent within minutes instead of spending hours on hold. Definitely worth it if you need to speak to someone urgently.

Remember that even if you get approved, there's usually a one-week waiting period before you receive your first payment. So don't panic if you don't get money right away.

The most important thing is to file your weekly claims every week even if your initial claim is still being processed. If you miss filing a weekly claim, you can lose benefits for that week.

good luck with your claim! getting fired sucks but at least unemployment benefits can help bridge the gap while you find something new. just be honest about everything and you should be fine.

unemployment saved my life when i got fired. took like 3 weeks to get approved but the money helped so much

I work at WorkSource and see people in your situation all the time. Being fired doesn't automatically disqualify you - it really depends on the specific circumstances. Make sure to register with WorkSource too since you'll need that for your job search requirements.

Performance issues are definitely not misconduct in most cases. I got fired for not meeting call center metrics and still got approved. The adjudicator said as long as I was trying and following procedures, it wasn't my fault that I couldn't keep up with their unrealistic expectations.

Just want to add that if you do get denied initially, don't give up! The appeal process exists for a reason and lots of people win their appeals. You'll get a phone hearing where you can explain your side of the story directly to a judge.

One thing to remember - even if you were partially at fault, you might still qualify for benefits. Washington ESD doesn't require you to be completely blameless, just that it wasn't willful misconduct.

The whole process can be stressful but it's worth fighting for if you think you deserve benefits. I spent weeks gathering documentation and ended up winning my appeal. Sometimes that Claimyr thing helps too if you need to talk to someone at Washington ESD about your case.

Bottom line - file your claim. Worst case scenario they say no and you're in the same position you're in now. Best case you get financial support while you look for new work. No reason not to try.