Got fired can I collect Washington ESD unemployment benefits?

You can definitely still apply! Getting fired doesn't automatically disqualify you from Washington ESD benefits. The key question is whether you were terminated for 'misconduct' which has a very specific legal definition. Performance issues usually don't count as misconduct unless you were willfully negligent or violated clear company policies.

I was in the exact same situation last year. Got 'fired' for performance but it was really just corporate downsizing in disguise. Washington ESD approved my claim after about 3 weeks of adjudication. The employer will get a chance to dispute it but unless they can prove actual misconduct you should be fine.

Just went through this exact situation myself. The adjudication process can be nerve-wracking but if you were genuinely trying to do your job and weren't fired for things like theft, harassment, or repeatedly violating clear policies, you'll likely qualify. I struggled for weeks trying to call Washington ESD to check on my claim status until I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually got me through to a real person. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works.

File immediately and don't let them intimidate you. Employers often try to scare people into not filing by making the termination sound worse than it was. Washington ESD will do their own investigation during adjudication and make the final determination.

ugh this whole system is so confusing. i got fired 3 months ago and still don't know if i did everything right with my claim. the washington esd website is like a maze

Make sure you keep all your termination paperwork and any emails leading up to it. Washington ESD might ask for documentation during the adjudication process. Also start looking for work immediately because you'll need to show job search efforts.

Been there! The waiting is the worst part. But honestly unless you were caught stealing or something really bad, getting fired for performance usually doesn't disqualify you from UI benefits. Just be honest on your application about what happened.

Whatever you do, DON'T let your former employer know you're filing for unemployment if you can avoid it. They'll probably contest it just to be difficult. Let Washington ESD handle the communication with them.

Had a friend who got fired for 'performance' and it turned out the company was just trying to avoid paying for a layoff. She got her unemployment approved and the company got in trouble for misrepresenting the termination. Don't assume you're automatically disqualified!

The adjudication process can take forever though. I waited 6 weeks just to hear back about my eligibility. If you need to talk to someone at Washington ESD about your claim, that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier actually works. I used it last month when I couldn't get through their phone lines.

Remember that even if your employer contests your claim, you can appeal their decision. Don't give up if the initial determination goes against you. The appeals process gives you a chance to present your side of the story.

honestly the whole washington esd system is a joke. took me 3 months to get my first payment after getting laid off. good luck dealing with their bureaucracy

Just file ASAP and don't overthink it. The worst they can say is no, but if you were genuinely trying to do your job and got fired for performance reasons, you'll probably qualify. Washington ESD sees this situation all the time.

One more thing - make sure you understand the difference between being 'fired' and being 'terminated for cause.' If they didn't use the words 'for cause' or 'misconduct' in your termination, that's usually a good sign for your unemployment claim.

I've helped several people through this process and performance-related terminations usually get approved as long as you weren't willfully negligent. The key is being honest about what happened and providing any documentation you have. If you run into issues getting through to Washington ESD, that Claimyr service really does work - I've recommended it to others who were stuck trying to reach someone about their claims.