How long after being fired can you apply for unemployment in Washington ESD?

That's a relief! I was stressing about waiting too long. Should I file online or call them?

Definitely file online at esd.wa.gov - it's much faster than trying to get through on the phone. You'll need your social security number, employment history for the last 18 months, and reason for separation.

Oh no, I hadn't thought about that. It was chronic tardiness over several months. Do you think that counts as misconduct?

It might, but every case is different. They'll contact your employer to get their side of the story. You'll have a chance to explain your circumstances too during the adjudication process.

Chronic tardiness can be considered willful misconduct, but it depends on the specifics. Did you receive warnings? Was there documentation? These factors matter in the determination.

Did you end up getting approved? What was the adjudication process like?

Yes, I got approved eventually. They determined my firing wasn't misconduct since I was trying to improve. The adjudication involved phone interviews with both me and my former employer.

Never heard of that service before. Is it legit? I hate trying to call ESD directly.

Yeah it's legitimate. I was skeptical at first but it actually got me through to talk to a real person at Washington ESD within an hour instead of calling for days on my own.

How long is forever? I need to know if I should start looking for temporary work while waiting.

Mine took 6 weeks and that was considered fast. Some people wait months. Definitely look for work while you wait - you're required to do job searches anyway once approved.

Should I get a copy of my personnel file before filing? I'm not sure exactly what they put down as the official reason.

That's actually a good idea. You have the right to request your personnel file in Washington state. It might help you understand their documented reason for termination.

Yes, request your file within 14 days of termination for best results. Some employers are slow to respond after that timeframe.

That doesn't sound encouraging. Is there a best time to call them?

People say to call right at 8am when they open but I've never had luck. The phone lines are always jammed.

That's exactly why I started using Claimyr - got tired of the endless busy signals and getting disconnected. Worth checking out if you need to actually talk to someone at ESD.

So I won't get paid for the first week even if approved?

Correct, the first week is unpaid. It's called the waiting week. You still need to file your weekly claim for that week though.

How does the appeal process work? Is it complicated?

You have 30 days to file an appeal after getting a denial letter. It goes to an administrative law judge who reviews your case. You can represent yourself or get help.

Appeals are handled by the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH). Both you and your employer can present evidence and testimony. It's like a mini trial but less formal.

Good luck! Remember to keep track of your job search activities from day one, even while waiting for approval. You'll need those records later.

Hope it goes smoothly for you. The waiting is the worst part but at least you're taking action quickly.

You can still file but you won't get benefits for those past 3 months. Your benefit year starts when you file the claim, not when you lost your job.

damn wish id known that earlier oh well better late than never i guess

This is really helpful summary info. Should probably be pinned somewhere for people to reference.

Agreed. The misconduct vs non-misconduct distinction is crucial for people to understand before they file.

That gives me some hope. My manager was pretty disorganized so maybe their documentation isn't great either.

Documentation is key in misconduct cases. Employers need to show they followed progressive discipline and gave you opportunities to improve.

Good point. Do they actually check up on the job search activities?

Sometimes they do audits randomly. My friend got audited and had to provide all her job search records. Better to keep good records from the start.

Yeah I'm planning to be upfront about the attendance issues. Hopefully my side of the story matters too.

It definitely does matter. They want to hear both sides before making a determination. Just be factual and don't make excuses.

How much does something like that cost? Seems too good to be true.

It's worth checking out their site for pricing info. For me it was worth it just to avoid the endless frustration of trying to reach ESD on my own.

Thanks for all the guidance everyone. This thread has been incredibly helpful. Filing my claim tonight!

Good luck with your claim! Hope the adjudication goes in your favor.

4 weeks isn't unusual unfortunately. Mine took 6 weeks. Just keep filing your weekly claims and looking for work. That's all you can do while waiting.

Yeah I've been keeping up with weekly claims and job searches. Just nerve wracking not knowing if I'll ever see any money.

If you need updates on your claim status, that's another situation where Claimyr helped me get actual answers from ESD instead of just checking the website constantly.

Great job taking action quickly! Now just keep up with your weekly claims and job search requirements while waiting for the decision.

Awesome! Hoping your adjudication goes smoothly. Keep us posted on how it turns out.

Well done. You've given yourself the best chance by filing promptly and being honest about the circumstances. The process will take time but you're in the system now.