Can you still get Washington ESD unemployment if you were fired from your job?

You can definitely still apply for unemployment even if you were fired! The key is whether you were terminated for 'misconduct' or not. Performance issues usually don't count as misconduct unless you were deliberately ignoring instructions or breaking rules. Washington ESD will investigate your case during adjudication to determine if your termination was for misconduct.

I was fired from my retail job last year and still got approved for unemployment. Washington ESD sent me a questionnaire asking about the termination and I explained my side. Took about 3 weeks for them to decide but I got benefits. The employer has to prove misconduct, not just poor performance.

If you're having trouble getting through to Washington ESD to file your claim or check on adjudication status, you might want to try Claimyr. They help people connect with ESD agents without having to wait on hold for hours. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. I used them when my claim was stuck in adjudication.

Apply ASAP! Even if you think you might not qualify, it's better to apply and let Washington ESD make the determination. You have nothing to lose by trying and you might be surprised. I thought I wouldn't qualify after being fired but I did.

The Washington ESD website has a whole section about this. Generally you can get benefits if you were fired for reasons other than misconduct. Things like lack of skills, inability to meet performance standards, or personality conflicts usually don't disqualify you. Misconduct is more like stealing, fighting, or repeatedly violating company policy after warnings.

I've been through this exact situation. Got fired for 'not meeting expectations' but it was really because my manager had it out for me. Filed for unemployment anyway and got approved after adjudication. The key is being honest about what happened but also explaining why it wasn't misconduct.

File your claim online at esd.wa.gov as soon as possible. Don't wait! The sooner you file, the sooner you can start receiving benefits if approved. Even if you're unsure about eligibility, let Washington ESD make that determination. That's what they're there for.

Washington ESD looks at whether you were fired for 'willful misconduct' specifically. Things like poor performance, inability to do the job, or even making mistakes don't usually count as misconduct. It sounds like your situation was more about inadequate training and support rather than you doing anything wrong intentionally.

ugh the whole system is so confusing. I was fired six months ago and it took forever to get answers from ESD about my claim. Calling them is basically impossible - always busy or they hang up on you.

Don't let your employer scare you into not applying. Some employers will tell you that you can't get unemployment if you were fired, but that's not necessarily true. Washington ESD makes the final determination, not your former employer.

File immediately! I made the mistake of waiting a couple weeks after being fired because I thought I wouldn't qualify. You can't get benefits for the weeks before you file, so every day you wait is money lost.

When I applied after being fired, I was completely honest about the circumstances. I think that helped my case. Don't try to sugarcoat it or make it seem like something it wasn't. Washington ESD can usually tell when people aren't being truthful.

Keep in mind that if you do get approved, you'll need to actively look for work and report your job search activities. Washington ESD requires you to make at least 3 job contacts per week and keep a log of your search efforts.

I was fired for attendance issues and still got unemployment. The key was that I had legitimate reasons for my absences (health issues) and could document them. Even if you were fired, you might still qualify depending on the circumstances.

Same thing happened to me at my last job - inadequate training then blamed for poor performance. I got unemployment benefits after explaining the situation to ESD. Don't give up before you even try!

Make sure you understand the difference between being fired 'for cause' vs. other reasons. Performance issues usually aren't considered 'for cause' unless you were deliberately underperforming or ignoring direct instructions repeatedly.

If you end up having trouble reaching Washington ESD during the process, there are services like Claimyr that can help. I used them when I couldn't get through to check on my adjudication status. Really helpful when you're stressed about your claim.

Whatever you do, don't lie on your application. Be honest about being fired but explain the circumstances. Washington ESD will find out the truth anyway when they contact your employer, so honesty is always the best policy.

I've helped several friends through this process and most people who were fired for performance issues (rather than misconduct) end up getting approved. The adjudication process can be stressful but it's usually fair. Just be patient and honest.

Quick tip - when you file your claim, there's a section where you can explain the circumstances of your job separation. Use that space to clearly explain the lack of training and unrealistic expectations. That information goes directly to the adjudicator who reviews your case.