How long after being fired do you have to file for unemployment - Washington ESD deadline?

You need to file as soon as possible! Washington ESD doesn't have a hard deadline but your benefits are calculated from when you file, not when you lost your job. So every week you wait is basically money lost. Being fired vs laid off doesn't change the filing timeline, just potentially affects whether you'll be approved.

File immediately but be prepared for adjudication if they fired you for performance. Washington ESD will investigate misconduct claims and that can take 4-6 weeks. You won't get paid during adjudication but if you're approved you'll get backpay to your filing date.

I've been trying to call Washington ESD for weeks about my own claim status and can never get through. The phone system is absolutely terrible. Someone told me about this service called Claimyr that actually gets you connected to a real person at claimyr.com - they have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Might be worth checking out if you need to talk to someone about your specific situation.

UGHHH the whole system is so confusing! I got fired 2 months ago and STILL don't have a clear answer on my eligibility. They keep saying 'under review' and I'm about to lose my apartment. Why can't they just tell us yes or no???

File within a week if possible. I'm not sure about Washington specifically but most states have better outcomes when you file quickly. Also keep all your paperwork from the termination - you might need it.

File NOW. I waited 2 weeks thinking I needed to have my story straight and regretted it. Even if they deny you initially, you can appeal. But you can't get back those weeks of benefits you lose by waiting.

Being fired doesn't automatically disqualify you from unemployment in Washington. They have to prove you were terminated for misconduct, not just poor performance. Document everything about why you think it was really downsizing.

Washington ESD is backed up like crazy right now. I filed in January and just got my first payment last week. The sooner you file the better because the waiting period is going to be long regardless.

Don't overthink it - just file. The worst thing that happens is they deny you and you appeal. But if you don't file at all you definitely get nothing.

Make sure you have all your employer info ready when you file - full company name, address, supervisor name, dates of employment, reason for separation. Washington ESD's online system will ask for all this and you can't save a partial application.

I used Claimyr when I couldn't get through to Washington ESD about my pending claim. Worth every penny to actually talk to someone who could explain what was happening. The phone system is just impossible otherwise.

File online at secure.esd.wa.gov if you can. The phone system for filing new claims is even worse than the general customer service line. Online is much faster.

Whatever you do, don't wait. I have a friend who waited a month thinking she needed to find another job first, then learned she missed out on $1,400 in benefits because you can't backdate claims in Washington.

File today! I'm dealing with the same situation and wish I'd filed sooner. Even if there's adjudication, at least the clock starts ticking on your claim date.

The key thing is that Washington ESD pays benefits from your filing date, not your separation date. So every day you wait is literally money out of your pocket. Performance-related terminations can still qualify for benefits if it wasn't willful misconduct.