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

You generally have up to one year from when you became unemployed to file your initial claim with Washington ESD. However, the sooner you file the better because your benefit year starts from when you file, not when you were actually terminated. You can't get benefits for weeks before you filed, so you've already lost about 6 weeks of potential benefits.

File immediately! Don't wait any longer. The one year deadline is true but like the previous poster said, you're losing money every week you don't file. Also, if your termination was related to medical issues, you might want to document that properly in case Washington ESD questions the firing.

I was in a similar situation last year - got fired and waited about 2 months to file because I was embarrassed and kept thinking I'd find work. Biggest mistake ever. I lost almost $4,000 in benefits that I could never get back. When I finally did try to call Washington ESD to explain my situation, I couldn't even get through to anyone. Spent hours on hold just to get disconnected.

wait hold up - if he got fired for attendance issues isnt that misconduct? washington esd might deny the claim anyway even if he files

Don't overthink it just FILE NOW. You can deal with the misconduct question if it comes up during adjudication. But if you don't file at all you definitely won't get anything. The worst they can do is say no, but at least you'll have tried.

Manufacturing jobs usually have pretty strict attendance policies. If you were written up multiple times before the termination, Washington ESD might consider it willful misconduct. But like others said, the medical angle might help your case. Make sure you mention that in your initial application.

I work in HR and see this all the time. Employees don't realize that even if you think you might not qualify, you should still file. The Washington ESD determination process exists for a reason - let them make the decision about whether your termination disqualifies you.

The system is so messed up honestly. They make it hard to file, hard to get through on the phone, then they question everything. But yeah you still have time to file within the year deadline.

File online at esd.wa.gov right now. Don't even finish reading this thread, just go do it. You're already out thousands of dollars by waiting 6 weeks.

Just to clarify the timeline - you have 1 year to file from when you became unemployed, but your benefit year starts when you file, not when you lost your job. So if you file today, your benefit year runs from today forward, not from 6 weeks ago when you were terminated.

I had a similar medical situation that led to attendance issues. When I filed, I made sure to explain in detail in the reason for separation section. Washington ESD did follow up with questions but ultimately approved my claim because I could show the absences were health-related.

6 weeks isn't that bad, I've seen people wait 6 months before filing! The key thing is you still have time. Also make sure you're ready to start doing your weekly claims and job search requirements once you file.

LMAO the Washington ESD phone system is a joke. I tried calling for 3 weeks straight when my claim got stuck in adjudication. Finally had to use some service that calls for you to actually reach a human being.

Don't stress too much about the misconduct thing until you know if it's even an issue. File first, then deal with any challenges as they come up. You might be surprised - Washington ESD might not even flag your termination as misconduct.

Update us after you file! I'm curious how it goes since I might be in a similar situation soon with my current job situation.