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

Yes, you can potentially get unemployment even if you were fired, but it depends on the reason. Washington ESD will approve your claim if you were fired for reasons beyond your control, like poor performance, lack of skills, or not being a good fit. However, if you were fired for 'misconduct' - things like theft, violence, or repeatedly violating company policies after warnings - then you'd be disqualified.

I was fired for being late too often and still got approved for unemployment. The key is that Washington ESD looks at whether it was willful misconduct or just not meeting expectations. Being bad at your job isn't the same as intentionally breaking rules.

You should definitely apply. Even if your employer contests it, you have the right to an appeal hearing. I've seen people win appeals even when their employer initially fought the claim. Washington ESD gives you a fair chance to explain your side.

Had a similar situation last year and couldn't get through to Washington ESD to check on my claim status. Kept getting the busy signal or hung up on. Finally found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get through to an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Really saved me a lot of frustration trying to reach someone.

THE SYSTEM IS RIGGED AGAINST WORKERS! They'll find any excuse to deny your claim even when you've been paying into unemployment insurance for years. File anyway but don't expect justice.

What exactly did they say when they fired you? The specific wording matters a lot for your unemployment claim.

Make sure you file your claim right away! In Washington you can't get benefits for any week you don't file, even if your claim gets approved later. The sooner you apply, the sooner you might start receiving payments.

was fired from amazon warehouse for missing too many days (had some health issues) and got unemployment no problem. took like 2 weeks to get approved

One thing to keep in mind - if your claim goes to adjudication (which it might since you were terminated), it can take several weeks to get a decision. Don't panic if you don't hear back immediately. Washington ESD has to investigate whenever there's a separation issue.

Check if your company has any policies about unemployment claims. Some employers don't contest claims to avoid the hassle, which makes approval much more likely.

I work in HR and I can tell you that most companies only contest unemployment claims for gross misconduct - theft, violence, harassment, etc. Performance issues rarely get contested because it's hard to prove and time-consuming.

File online at secure.esd.wa.gov if you haven't already. The online system is much faster than trying to call. You'll need your Social Security number, employment history for the past 18 months, and details about your termination.

omg yes file immediately! i got fired from my retail job for being 'unreliable' (aka having a sick kid) and they approved my claim. Washington state is pretty worker-friendly compared to other states

Just want to add - if you do get approved, make sure you understand the job search requirements. You'll need to make 3 job search contacts per week and register with WorkSource. Don't let that stuff slide or you could lose your benefits.

Another vote for using Claimyr if you need to talk to someone at Washington ESD. I tried calling for weeks after my termination and could never get through. Used their service and got connected the same day. Really helped me understand what documentation I needed for my claim.

Been through this exact situation twice. First time I was terrified to apply thinking I'd get rejected. Second time I filed immediately and got approved both times. Performance issues are not misconduct - you paid into the system, you deserve benefits when you need them.

Make sure you're completely honest about everything when you file. Washington ESD will find out the truth anyway, and lying on your application is fraud. Better to be upfront and let them make the determination.

One more thing - if you had any documentation about your performance issues (emails, performance reviews, etc.), keep copies. If your employer contests the claim, having your own records can help your case.

UPDATE: I just wanted to thank everyone for the advice. I filed my claim yesterday and got a confirmation number. Now I guess I wait to see what happens. Keeping my fingers crossed!