Got terminated from job - can I still collect Washington ESD unemployment benefits?

That's a relief to hear. They never wrote me up or anything formal, just said I wasn't meeting expectations.

Yeah performance stuff usually isn't considered misconduct unless they can prove you were deliberately not doing your job.

How long did it take to hear back after you applied? I'm worried about the bills piling up.

It took about 3 weeks but that was because they had to do an adjudication to review my termination. Most people hear back faster.

Thanks for explaining that. I was definitely not stealing or anything like that, just struggled to keep up with their productivity requirements.

The key is being honest on your application. Don't try to hide that you were fired - they'll find out anyway when they contact your employer.

How does that work exactly? I'm dreading having to call if they need more info about my termination.

It basically calls Washington ESD for you and gets you in the queue, then calls you back when an agent is available. Way better than sitting on hold for hours.

That sounds too good to be true honestly. How much does something like that cost?

Good point. I was overthinking it when I should just go ahead and file the claim.

Exactly. And if they do deny you initially, you can always appeal the decision if you think they got it wrong.

I should probably write down exactly what happened while it's still fresh in my memory.

Smart thinking. They might ask specific questions about conversations with your supervisor or any warnings you received.

And keep copies of any paperwork they gave you when they terminated you - separation letter, final paycheck stub, anything like that.

I get the frustration but they do have to make sure people weren't fired for legitimate misconduct.

Yeah well my cousin got fired for being 5 minutes late ONE TIME and they denied his benefits. System is broken.

That doesn't sound right. One instance of being late isn't usually considered misconduct unless there were other issues too.

That gives me hope. Were you able to find another job pretty quickly?

It took about 3 months but I did find something better. The unemployment benefits really helped me stay afloat during the search.

You can file right away. In fact, you should file as soon as possible since there's usually a waiting period before benefits start.

Good to know, thanks!

Yeah you're right. I did pay into it so I shouldn't feel bad about using it when I need it.

Exactly. That's what it's there for. Good luck with your application!

You still have to do job searches while on unemployment, yes. As for explaining to employers, just be honest but focus on what you learned and how you've improved.

That makes sense. I was worried it would make finding a new job impossible.

Lots of people get fired and find new jobs. Don't let it define you, just learn from the experience and move forward.

I might need to try that if my application runs into any issues. Good to have options.

Yeah it's nice not having to stress about getting through the phone lines. They handle all that for you.

How likely is it that they'll contest it? I left on decent terms even though I was terminated.

Hard to say. Some employers always contest, others never do. Just be prepared for the possibility.

Even if they contest it, you can still win if the termination wasn't for misconduct. Don't worry too much about it.

What's the difference exactly? I thought they were basically the same thing.

Laid off usually means it's due to business reasons - budget cuts, downsizing, etc. Fired typically means it's due to your performance or conduct. Both can qualify for unemployment but for different reasons.

What was the adjudication process like? I keep seeing that term mentioned.

They basically investigate the circumstances of your termination. They'll call you and your employer to get both sides of the story. Just be honest and you'll be fine.

I'm going to do it right after I finish reading all these comments. Thanks everyone for the encouragement!

Good plan. And remember, you can always ask questions later if you run into issues during the process.

That's the third person mentioning it so it must actually work. I'll keep it in mind if I need help.

Yeah, wish I had known about it sooner. Would have saved me so much stress trying to get through on my own.

How many jobs do you have to apply for each week?

I think it's 3 job search activities per week but check the current requirements when you file your claim.

And keep good records of your job search activities. They can audit you at any time and ask for proof.

Thanks for all the support everyone. Feeling much more confident about applying now. Will update once I hear back from Washington ESD!

Please do update us! Always good to hear success stories to help the next person in your situation.