Do you get Washington ESD unemployment benefits if you are fired from your job?

That's reassuring to hear! Should I mention the safety complaint when I file my claim? I'm worried it might complicate things.

Yes, absolutely mention it. That shows you were acting in good faith and following proper procedures. Keep any documentation you have about the safety concerns you reported.

How long did that process take? I'm worried about waiting weeks without any income.

It took about 3 weeks for them to make a decision in my case. The hardest part was actually getting through to someone at Washington ESD to check on the status.

If you're having trouble reaching Washington ESD by phone, I 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. Saved me hours of calling and getting busy signals.

This is really helpful! Do you know where I can find the exact definition Washington ESD uses?

It's in the Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 192-150-200. You can also find it on the Washington ESD website under their eligibility section.

That's a common misconception! You can get benefits if you're fired without misconduct, laid off, or if you quit for good cause. The reason for job separation matters more than whether you were fired or laid off.

oh wow I had no idea. I've been avoiding applying because I thought I wouldn't qualify

Good point. I was planning to wait until I understood everything better but you're right that I should just file now.

Yes definitely file ASAP! I made the mistake of waiting 2 weeks and lost those benefit payments even though I was approved later.

That sounds like retaliation which definitely shouldn't disqualify you from benefits. Have you been able to get any updates on your claim status?

I've tried calling Washington ESD dozens of times but always get a busy signal or get disconnected after waiting on hold.

You should try Claimyr for getting through to Washington ESD. I used them when my claim was stuck in adjudication and finally got answers about what was holding it up. Much better than spending all day trying to call yourself.

6 weeks?? How did you survive financially during that time?

Barely. Had to borrow money from family and use credit cards. The system is designed to wear you down so you give up.

I understand the frustration but 6 weeks isn't typical. Most adjudication decisions happen within 2-4 weeks unless there are complicating factors.

How does the appeal process work? Is it complicated?

You have 30 days from the denial notice to file an appeal. It's basically a hearing where you and your employer present your cases to a judge. You can represent yourself or get help.

That's a perfect example of how the misconduct determination works. Thanks for sharing your experience.

I do have emails showing I reported the safety issues to HR 3 weeks before I was fired. Should I include those when I file my claim?

Absolutely include them. That timeline strongly suggests retaliation rather than legitimate performance issues.

Yes, you still need to meet the job search requirements and file weekly claims even during adjudication. If you're approved, you'll get back pay for those weeks.

Thanks! I wasn't sure if I should bother with the job search log while waiting.

That's exactly what I was thinking. If my performance was really an issue, why wasn't I coached or given warnings?

I'm seriously considering this. The not knowing is almost worse than being denied.

Will do. Thanks everyone for the advice and encouragement!

I definitely will. This has been so much more helpful than trying to navigate the Washington ESD website alone.