How long after getting fired can you apply for unemployment in Washington - need to know ASAP
Got terminated from my job at a manufacturing company yesterday for what they called 'performance issues' but I think it was really because I complained about safety violations. I'm 28 with a mortgage and two kids so I need to get unemployment going as soon as possible. How long do I have to wait after getting fired to apply for Washington ESD benefits? Is there like a waiting period or can I file right away? I've never been unemployed before so I have no idea how this works. Really stressed about making rent next month.
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Aisha Ali
You can apply for unemployment benefits immediately after losing your job in Washington state. There's no waiting period to file your initial claim. Go to the Washington ESD website and start your application today - the sooner you file, the sooner your benefits can begin if you're approved. Just make sure you have all your employment information ready including your employer's name, address, and the dates you worked there.
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Mateo Gonzalez
•Thank you! I was worried I had to wait weeks or something. Going to start the application right now.
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Ethan Moore
•Yes definitely file today if you can. The longer you wait the more you're potentially losing in benefits.
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Yuki Nakamura
Just to clarify - you can file immediately but there IS a one-week waiting period before you can receive your first payment. So if you file today, you won't get paid for this first week but you'll get paid starting the second week if your claim is approved. Make sure you keep filing your weekly claims even during that first week.
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Mateo Gonzalez
•Wait so I won't get any money for the first week? That's going to be really tight financially.
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Yuki Nakamura
•Correct, the first week is unpaid. It's called the 'waiting week' and everyone has to serve it. But you still need to file that weekly claim to keep your benefits active.
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StarSurfer
I had trouble getting through to Washington ESD when I got laid off last year. Spent hours on hold just to get basic questions answered about my claim. If you run into the same problem, I found this service called Claimyr that helped me get through to an actual person at Washington ESD without waiting on hold forever. They have a website at claimyr.com and there's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me so much frustration.
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Carmen Reyes
•How much does something like that cost? I'm already strapped for cash.
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StarSurfer
•It was worth it for me to avoid the phone hell. The time I saved was more valuable than what I spent, especially when I had questions about my claim status.
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Andre Moreau
Being fired for 'performance issues' might make your claim more complicated. Washington ESD will investigate to see if you were fired for misconduct or if it was just a regular termination. If they determine it was misconduct, you could be disqualified from receiving benefits. Make sure you have documentation about those safety violations you mentioned - that could help your case.
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Mateo Gonzalez
•I do have emails where I reported the safety issues to HR and my supervisor. Should I include those with my unemployment application?
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Andre Moreau
•Keep those emails safe but don't send them with your initial application. If Washington ESD questions the reason for your termination, that's when you'll want to provide that documentation.
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Aisha Ali
•Good point about the misconduct determination. The fact that you complained about safety violations before being fired could actually work in your favor during the investigation.
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Zoe Christodoulou
ugh the Washington ESD system is such a pain. took me forever to get approved last time and then they said I owed them money back later. good luck with all that bureaucracy
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Mateo Gonzalez
•Wait they made you pay money back? How does that happen?
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Yuki Nakamura
•That's called an overpayment and it usually happens when there's an error in reporting work or wages. As long as you report everything accurately you should be fine.
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Jamal Thompson
Make sure you understand the job search requirements too. In Washington you have to be actively looking for work and keep a log of your job search activities. They can ask to see this at any time so keep detailed records of where you apply and when.
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Mateo Gonzalez
•How many jobs do I need to apply to each week?
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Jamal Thompson
•You need to make at least 3 job search contacts per week in Washington. This can include applying for jobs, contacting employers directly, or attending job fairs.
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Mei Chen
•I thought it was 2 contacts per week? Did they change it recently?
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Jamal Thompson
•It's 3 contacts per week for most people. There are some exceptions but 3 is the standard requirement.
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CosmicCadet
Don't forget to register with WorkSource Washington too. It's required and you need to complete your profile there as part of the unemployment process. You can do it online at worksourcewa.com.
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Mateo Gonzalez
•Is that something I do before or after filing for unemployment?
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CosmicCadet
•You can do it either before or after filing your initial claim, but you need to do it within a certain timeframe. The instructions should be in your Washington ESD welcome packet.
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Liam O'Connor
I'm going through the same thing right now. Got fired 2 weeks ago and still waiting for my adjudication to finish. They're investigating whether my termination was for misconduct. It's nerve-wracking not knowing if I'll get approved or not.
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Mateo Gonzalez
•How long does the adjudication process usually take?
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Liam O'Connor
•My case worker said it could be anywhere from 2-6 weeks depending on how complex the case is and how quickly they can get information from my former employer.
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Amara Adeyemi
•Mine took almost 8 weeks last year. The waiting is the worst part because you don't know if you should look for temporary work or what.
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Giovanni Gallo
If you're having trouble reaching Washington ESD by phone, I recently discovered Claimyr which helps you get through to an actual person without waiting on hold. I was skeptical at first but it actually worked. Got connected to someone within 10 minutes instead of calling all day and getting busy signals.
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Fatima Al-Mazrouei
•Is that legit? Sounds too good to be true.
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Giovanni Gallo
•I was skeptical too but I was desperate. They have a video demo that explains how it works and it's exactly what happened when I used it.
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Dylan Wright
Just want to add that if your claim gets denied for misconduct, you can appeal the decision. You have 30 days from the date of the determination letter to file an appeal. Don't give up if you get denied initially - the appeal process gives you a chance to present your side of the story.
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Mateo Gonzalez
•Good to know. Hopefully it won't come to that but I'll keep the appeal option in mind.
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NebulaKnight
•Appeals can take months though so try to get it right the first time. Be completely honest about everything when you file.
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Sofia Ramirez
The weekly claim filing is super important too. You have to file every week even if you haven't been paid yet or if your claim is still under review. Miss filing a weekly claim and you could lose benefits for that week permanently.
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Mateo Gonzalez
•When do I file the weekly claims? Is there a specific day?
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Sofia Ramirez
•You can file starting Sunday for the previous week. I always do mine on Sunday morning so I don't forget. You have until the following Saturday to file but don't wait that long.
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Dmitry Popov
sorry to hear about your job situation. been there myself and it sucks. just keep filing those weekly claims and stay on top of the job search requirements. the system works if you follow all the rules
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Mateo Gonzalez
•Thanks for the encouragement. This is all pretty overwhelming right now.
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Ava Rodriguez
•It gets easier once you get into the routine. The first few weeks are always the hardest.
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Miguel Ortiz
One more tip - make sure you have your Social Security number, driver's license, and employment history ready when you file. The system will ask for specific dates and employer information so having that organized will make the process smoother.
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Mateo Gonzalez
•Good point. I should gather all that info before I start the application.
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Zainab Khalil
•Also have your bank account information ready if you want direct deposit. Much faster than waiting for a check in the mail.
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QuantumQuest
I tried calling Washington ESD like 50 times yesterday and never got through. Phone system is absolutely terrible. Thank god for services like Claimyr that can actually get you connected to a real person. Made all the difference in getting my questions answered about my claim status.
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Connor Murphy
•How exactly does Claimyr work? Do they just call for you or something?
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QuantumQuest
•They have a system that gets you through the phone maze and connects you to an actual Washington ESD representative. Check out their demo video to see how it works.
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Yara Haddad
Don't stress too much about the application process. It's pretty straightforward once you get started. The hardest part is usually getting through to someone if you have questions, but the online system works pretty well for basic filing.
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Mateo Gonzalez
•That's reassuring. I was worried it would be really complicated.
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Keisha Robinson
•The application itself is not too bad. It's dealing with problems or questions later that gets frustrating.
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