Got fired for missing work - can I still collect Washington ESD unemployment benefits?

You can definitely apply for unemployment benefits even if you were fired. Washington ESD will investigate whether your termination was due to 'misconduct' which is the key factor. Missing work occasionally due to illness or emergencies usually isn't considered misconduct, but a pattern of unexcused absences might be. The important thing is to file your claim right away and be honest about the circumstances.

I went through something similar last year. Washington ESD approved my claim even though I was fired for attendance because I had documentation for most of my absences (doctor's notes, family emergency proof). The key is that they look at whether your actions were 'willful' misconduct. If you can show some absences were legitimate, that helps your case significantly.

Just went through the adjudication process myself and it was a nightmare trying to reach anyone at Washington ESD to check on my claim status. If you end up in adjudication, good luck getting through on the phone. I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually got me connected to an agent in minutes instead of hours of busy signals. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

THE SYSTEM IS RIGGED AGAINST WORKERS!! They'll find any excuse to deny your claim while your former employer pays nothing into unemployment. File anyway but don't expect fairness from Washington ESD.

File immediately! Even if you think you might get denied, always file. The worst they can say is no, and you might be surprised. Washington ESD looks at the whole situation, not just the reason for termination.

same thing happened to my brother last year except he got approved because he had medical documentation for most of his missed days. washington esd really does look at the details

One thing to keep in mind - if your claim gets approved, you'll need to meet all the weekly requirements including job searching and reporting any work or income. Make sure you understand those requirements before you start collecting benefits.

Don't let your employer intimidate you into not filing. They might tell you that you won't qualify but that's not their decision to make - it's Washington ESD's decision. File your claim and let the system work.

Update on my situation - Claimyr helped me get through to Washington ESD and my claim was approved after the adjudication interview. Definitely worth using if you can't get through on your own. The agent was able to explain exactly what documentation they needed from me.

Quick question - do you know if your employer is going to contest your unemployment claim? That can make a big difference in how long the process takes.

The attendance thing is tricky because it really depends on your employer's policies and whether you followed them. If you called in sick properly and had documentation, that's different from just not showing up. Washington ESD will look at all those details.

I work in HR and see unemployment claims all the time. Attendance issues are usually not considered misconduct unless it's really excessive or you violated a clearly stated policy after warnings. Most cases like yours get approved.

How long after getting fired should you wait to file? I'm in a similar situation and wondering if I should file right away or wait a few days.

The Washington ESD website has a good explanation of what they consider misconduct vs. just poor performance or attendance issues. Might be worth reading before you file so you know what to expect.

Been there done that. Got fired for attendance, filed for unemployment, got approved after adjudication. The key is being honest about everything and having any documentation you can provide. Don't give up if they deny you initially - you can always appeal.

Just want to add that even if some of your absences were unexcused, Washington ESD looks at the pattern and severity. A few unexcused absences mixed with legitimate ones usually isn't enough to deny benefits entirely.

If you do get into adjudication and need to talk to someone at Washington ESD about your case, that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier is legit. Used it myself when I couldn't get through after days of trying. Worth every penny to avoid the phone tree nightmare.

Whatever you do, make sure you keep filing your weekly claims even if your initial claim is under review. You can't get back pay for weeks you didn't file, even if you're eventually approved.

The bottom line is that getting fired doesn't automatically disqualify you from unemployment benefits. Washington ESD has to prove misconduct, not just poor performance or attendance issues. File your claim and see what happens.

One last thing - make sure you have all your employment information handy when you file (dates of employment, employer address, supervisor names, etc.). Makes the process much smoother if you have everything ready.

Don't get discouraged if the process takes longer than expected! I was fired for attendance issues similar to yours and it took about 6 weeks total to get my first payment, but I did get approved. The adjudication interview was actually pretty straightforward - they just wanted to understand the specific circumstances of each absence. Having any kind of documentation (even text messages to your supervisor about being sick) can really help your case. The most important thing is to stay on top of your weekly filings and respond promptly to any requests for information from Washington ESD.