How soon after being fired can you file for Washington ESD unemployment benefits?

Thanks! Should I gather any documentation before filing or can I just start the application online?

Have your employment dates, wages, and reason for separation ready. You can always upload documents later if Washington ESD requests them during the review process.

Did you have to do a phone interview or anything during those 3 weeks?

Yeah, had to do a fact-finding interview about why I was fired. Just told the truth and it worked out.

This is exactly what happened to me - took forever to reach someone at Washington ESD to check on my adjudication status. If you need to talk to them, I found this service called Claimyr that helps you get through to actual agents. Way better than sitting on hold for hours.

Never heard of that - is it legit? How does it work?

Yeah it's real - claimyr.com. They basically call Washington ESD for you and get you connected to an agent. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me so much frustration.

Good point - I'll file today then. Thanks for the heads up!

Same thing happened to my brother. File immediately even if you're not sure about eligibility.

What if they claim you violated company policy but you disagree with their interpretation?

That's where the adjudication process comes in. Washington ESD will review all the evidence from both sides and make a determination. You'll get a chance to present your side of the story.

And if they deny you initially, you can always appeal the decision. Don't give up after the first no.

That's encouraging! Was your claim approved right away or is it still pending?

still says pending but i can file weekly claims so i think thats a good sign

How would I know if they contest it? Does Washington ESD notify you?

Yes, you'll get a notice if there's any dispute. Your claim status will also show if it's under review or adjudication.

Retail managers are the worst about making stuff up when they fire people. Glad you got approved!

Exactly! They tried to claim I was 'insubordinate' but Washington ESD saw right through it.

Good advice. I have some emails that show they were setting me up to fail. Should I upload those right away?

You can upload them proactively or wait until they ask. Either way works, just make sure you have them ready.

Yeah the website could be clearer about this. It's all about whether it was misconduct or not.

Exactly. Poor performance ≠ misconduct in most cases.

Oh man, trying to call them is impossible. I used Claimyr to get through when I needed to check on my claim status. Totally worth it - got connected to an agent in like 10 minutes instead of waiting hours.

Wish I had known about that! Spent so many hours on hold.

What's Claimyr? Never heard of it.

It's a service that helps you get through to Washington ESD agents. Check out claimyr.com - they have a demo video that explains it better than I can.

Do I need to start job searching before my claim is approved?

Yes, from the week you file your claim. Keep detailed records in your job search log.

This gives me hope. I was worried they'd automatically deny anyone who got fired.

nah most people who get fired still qualify unless they did something really bad

So true. My boss actually told me I 'probably wouldn't qualify' when they fired me. Total BS.

They say that hoping you won't file and cost them money on their unemployment insurance. File anyway!

What if I do some freelance work while collecting? Do I need to report that too?

Yes, absolutely. Any income needs to be reported on your weekly claim. It might reduce your benefit amount but it won't disqualify you completely.