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

That's a relief to hear. Should I mention the safety complaints when I file my claim?

Definitely mention it during the phone interview if they schedule one. It could be relevant to show the firing wasn't for misconduct.

How long did the whole process take from filing to getting paid?

The initial claim took about 2 weeks to process, then the employer contested it, so there was an adjudication period that lasted another 6 weeks before I got the appeal hearing.

How much does that cost? I'm already broke from being unemployed.

It's worth checking out their site for pricing. For me it was way better than missing weeks of benefits because I couldn't reach anyone at Washington ESD.

Never heard of this but honestly if it works I might try it. Been calling ESD for 2 weeks straight with no luck.

Should I gather any documentation about the safety issues I reported?

Absolutely! Any emails, incident reports, or witness statements could help your case if it goes to adjudication.

Hang in there! The waiting is the worst part but most people do eventually get approved if they were fired for performance rather than misconduct.

thanks... just feels hopeless sometimes when you can't even get someone on the phone to check what's happening

What if you were fired for attendance issues? I had to miss work several times due to my kids being sick but didn't have any more sick days.

That could go either way. If you were following proper procedures for requesting time off and had legitimate reasons, it might not be considered misconduct. But if you were just not showing up without notice, that could be different.

Good advice! I'll make sure to do that when I file tomorrow.

Also print out the confirmation page when you submit. I learned that the hard way when my claim seemed to disappear from the system.

That gives me hope! Did you have to do anything special to prepare for the phone hearing?

Just organize all your documentation and be ready to clearly explain what happened. The hearing officer will ask both you and your former employer questions.

This is crucial! I waited 3 weeks to file because I wasn't sure if I qualified and lost out on those weeks of benefits even though I was eventually approved.

Wow, I'm definitely filing first thing Monday morning then. Thanks for the heads up!

How do you know if your employer is going to contest your claim?

Washington ESD will notify you if there's a dispute. You'll get a letter or message in your online account explaining the employer's objection and asking for your response.

Like I mentioned earlier, I had success with Claimyr after weeks of failed attempts to call directly. They somehow get you through the phone queues that regular people can't seem to navigate.

I might have to look into that. This whole process is so frustrating when you need answers.

How many job searches do you have to do per week in Washington?

It's usually 3 job search activities per week, but they can require more depending on your situation. You have to log them in the WorkSourceWA system.

Yeah I forgot about that my first time on unemployment and got hit with a big tax bill. Definitely elect to have the 10% withheld.

Thanks for mentioning that! I'll make sure to set up tax withholding when I file.

I know it's frustrating but try to stay persistent. Most people do eventually get their claims processed, it just takes way longer than it should.

That's why services like Claimyr exist - because the regular system is so broken that people are willing to pay just to get through to talk to someone.

Thank you everyone for all the helpful advice! I feel much more confident about filing my claim now.

You're welcome! Hope everything works out for you. The unemployment process is stressful but most people who were legitimately fired for non-misconduct reasons do get approved eventually.