Fired for no call no show - can I still collect Washington ESD unemployment benefits?

You can still apply for unemployment even if you were fired. Washington ESD will investigate whether your termination was for 'misconduct' or not. No call no show can be tricky - it depends on the circumstances and whether you had a valid reason. The family emergency might help your case if you can document it.

File anyway! I got fired for attendance issues and still got approved for benefits. The key is explaining your side of the story when they ask. Washington ESD looks at each case individually.

I've been trying to get through to Washington ESD for weeks about my own claim issues. Their phone system is impossible - I get disconnected every time I try to call. If you need to talk to someone about your situation, I just discovered this service called Claimyr that helps you actually reach ESD agents. Check out claimyr.com - they have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Might be worth it if your claim gets complicated.

The no call no show thing is definitely considered misconduct by most employers, but Washington ESD has their own definition. If you can prove it was due to circumstances beyond your control (like a genuine emergency), you might have a shot. Make sure to be completely honest when you file and explain the hospital situation.

ugh this whole system is so frustrating!! I got denied for the stupidest reason and when I tried to appeal they made me wait MONTHS for a hearing. Even if you qualify they make it as hard as possible to actually get benefits.

File your claim as soon as possible. Even if they initially deny you, you can appeal the decision. The important thing is to get your application in quickly so your benefit year starts. You have nothing to lose by applying.

I work in HR and see this situation a lot. No call no show policies vary by company but most consider it job abandonment after 2-3 days. However, if you have documentation of the emergency, many companies will work with you. Did you try contacting your employer to explain after the fact?

Been through this exact situation. Got fired for missing work during a family crisis and was denied unemployment initially. Had to go through the whole appeals process but eventually won. The key is having proof of your emergency and showing it was a one-time thing, not a pattern.

Washington ESD looks at whether your actions were willful misconduct. If you can show the no call no show was due to circumstances beyond your control and not intentional disregard for your employer's policies, you have a better chance. Medical emergencies involving immediate family are usually considered valid reasons.

same thing happened to my coworker last year and she got benefits after they investigated. took forever though and she had to provide tons of documentation about her emergency

I used Claimyr when I needed to get in touch with Washington ESD about my adjudication. Saved me so much time and frustration. If your claim gets complicated and you need to speak with someone, it's definitely worth checking out. The phone system at ESD is basically broken otherwise.

File your weekly claims even while your eligibility is being determined. If you're eventually approved, you'll get back pay for those weeks. Don't skip filing just because you're not sure if you qualify yet.

The worst they can do is say no. At least if you apply you have a chance. I've seen people get approved for unemployment in situations where I thought they had no shot. Washington ESD sometimes surprises you.

Make sure you understand what 'able and available for work' means too. Even if you get approved, you'll need to meet all the ongoing requirements like job searching and being ready to accept suitable work.

Family emergencies are one of the few legitimate reasons that can overcome a no call no show termination. You need to document everything and be prepared to explain the timeline of events clearly if they interview you.

Don't get discouraged if you get an initial denial. A lot of people get denied first and then win on appeal. The initial determination is often made with limited information.

Just wanted to add another vote for Claimyr if you need to reach ESD. I was skeptical at first but it actually worked when nothing else did. Sometimes you just need to talk to a real person to get things sorted out.

Remember that your former employer will likely contest your claim since you were fired for no call no show. Be prepared for that and make sure you have your documentation organized.

Bottom line - apply for benefits and let Washington ESD make the determination. You were employed for 2 years with no other issues, had a legitimate emergency, and can document it. You have a reasonable case.

I went through something similar when I was caring for my sick father. What really helped my case was getting a letter from the hospital or doctor that confirmed the dates of the emergency and that your presence was necessary. Even though you have the admission records, a letter specifically stating that you were needed there during those exact dates when you missed work can be really powerful evidence. Also, if you have any text messages or emails from that time period showing you were dealing with the emergency, save those too. Washington ESD really does look at the full picture when there are genuine family emergencies involved.