Does being fired affect unemployment benefits in Washington?

You should definitely still apply for unemployment benefits. Being fired doesn't automatically disqualify you from UI in Washington. The key factor is whether you were terminated for 'misconduct' as defined by Washington ESD. Performance issues alone usually don't qualify as misconduct unless there was willful negligence or deliberate violation of company policy.

I went through this exact situation last year. Got fired for 'performance' but it was really because my supervisor didn't like me. Filed for unemployment anyway and got approved after they investigated. Washington ESD will contact your employer to get their side of the story, so make sure you have documentation of any unfair treatment.

File your claim ASAP! Even if your employer contests it, you want to get your application in as soon as possible. I made the mistake of waiting when I got fired and it delayed my whole process. The worst thing that can happen is they deny your claim, but you can appeal that decision.

If you're having trouble getting through to Washington ESD to check on your claim status, I found this service called Claimyr that helped me get connected to an actual agent. They have a website at claimyr.com and there's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Really saved me hours of calling and getting busy signals.

Make sure you document everything about why you were fired. Write down the exact reason they gave you, any conversations you had with HR or your manager, and gather any performance reviews or emails. This will help if your claim gets contested and goes to adjudication.

UGH the whole system is so confusing! I got fired 6 months ago and still don't fully understand how they decide these things. Sometimes it feels like they just flip a coin.

Been there! Got canned from my retail job for being 'too slow' according to my manager. Filed for unemployment and got approved after about a month. The key is being honest on your application about the circumstances of your termination.

What industry were you working in? Some employers are more likely to contest unemployment claims than others. Retail and food service usually don't bother fighting it unless it was theft or something serious.

Remember that even if your employer contests your claim, that doesn't mean you'll be denied. I had a former employer lie about why they fired me and I still won my appeal hearing. Washington ESD looks at the evidence, not just what your employer says.

I used Claimyr when my claim got stuck in adjudication after being fired. Took forever to get through to Washington ESD on my own but their service got me connected to an agent who explained exactly what was happening with my case. Really reduced my anxiety about the whole situation.

Don't let them intimidate you into not filing! Employers sometimes make it sound like you won't qualify just to discourage you from applying. File your claim and let Washington ESD make the determination.

Make sure to keep track of all your job search activities while you're waiting for your claim to be processed. Washington ESD requires 3 job search activities per week and you'll need to report them on your weekly claims.

The waiting is the worst part honestly. My claim took 5 weeks to get approved after being fired and I was broke by the end of it. But I did get all the back pay once it was finally processed.

If your claim does get denied initially, don't give up! I know several people who won their appeals even after being fired. The initial determination isn't always right and you have the right to present your side of the story at a hearing.

One more thing - when you file your initial claim, be very careful about how you answer the questions about why you're no longer working. Answer honestly but don't volunteer extra information that might hurt your case.

I tried calling Washington ESD for weeks after getting fired and could never get through. Finally used that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier and got connected to an agent who walked me through the whole process. Saved me so much frustration and time.

Bottom line - being fired for performance doesn't automatically disqualify you from unemployment benefits in Washington. File your claim, be honest about the circumstances, and let the system work. Most people in your situation do end up getting approved.