How long after termination can you apply for unemployment in Washington state?

You can apply immediately after termination in Washington state. There's no waiting period to file your initial claim with Washington ESD. The sooner you apply, the sooner your claim can be processed. Being fired doesn't automatically disqualify you - they'll investigate the circumstances during adjudication.

File ASAP! I waited a week after getting fired thinking I needed to 'cool off' first and that was a mistake. Every week you delay is money you're potentially losing. The effective date of your claim starts when you file, not when you lost your job.

Been trying to get through to Washington ESD for weeks about my own termination case that's stuck in adjudication. Their phone system is impossible. Finally found this service called Claimyr that actually got me connected to a real person at ESD. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Game changer for actually reaching someone.

Being terminated for cause doesn't automatically disqualify you from UI benefits. Washington ESD will conduct an adjudication to determine if the termination constitutes misconduct under state law. Medical absences with proper documentation often don't qualify as misconduct. Make sure you have your medical records organized.

ugh the whole system is rigged against workers. they'll find some excuse to deny you just watch. i got denied for missing one day even though i called in sick properly

Just to clarify - there's NO waiting period to FILE your claim, but there is a one-week waiting period before you can receive benefits in Washington state. So even if you're approved immediately, your first payable week is actually your second week of unemployment.

Just to address the confusion about waiting weeks - Washington state DID eliminate the waiting week requirement. You can receive benefits starting with your first eligible week of unemployment if your claim is approved.

Make sure you're ready for the job search requirements too. You'll need to register with WorkSource and start documenting your job search activities immediately. Don't wait until after your claim is approved.

Don't let them intimidate you about being fired. I was terminated for 'poor performance' but got approved because they couldn't prove willful misconduct. Document everything about your termination circumstances.

This whole thread is making me anxious about my own situation. I was fired last month and still haven't heard back about my claim. Should I be worried??

Pro tip: when you file online, have all your employment information ready including exact dates, wages, and reason for separation. The more complete your initial application, the smoother the process goes.

Filed immediately after termination and got approved within 10 days. Being proactive definitely helped. Had all my medical documentation ready and a clear timeline of events.

washington esd website says file within one week of becoming unemployed for maximum benefits. dont wait around thinking about it

Key point everyone should know: even if you think you might not qualify due to termination circumstances, it's better to file and let Washington ESD make the determination. You can't receive benefits you never applied for, and the worst they can do is deny the claim.

Been dealing with a similar situation for months. My advice is file immediately but also start looking for help if you need to contact ESD directly. I recently tried Claimyr after seeing it mentioned here and it actually worked - got me connected to an ESD agent who explained my case status. Worth checking out their site.

Remember that your weekly claims need to be filed every week even while your initial claim is being adjudicated. Miss a week and you could lose benefits for that period.

Make sure you understand the difference between being fired 'for cause' vs misconduct. Attendance issues due to medical reasons typically don't constitute misconduct under Washington law if properly documented.

bottom line - file today, not tomorrow. every day you wait is money lost. the system is slow enough without adding your own delays

Final reminder: gather all your documentation (medical records, termination notice, any written warnings, etc.) before filing. Having everything organized makes the process much smoother and increases your chances of a quick approval.