How to collect unemployment after being fired - Washington ESD eligibility requirements?

Yes, you can definitely apply for unemployment benefits even if you were fired. Washington ESD will review your case to determine if the firing was for 'misconduct' or not. Performance issues usually don't count as misconduct unless they were willful or deliberate. You should file your claim as soon as possible since there's a waiting period.

That's a relief! Should I mention the performance issues when I file or just say I was terminated?

Be honest about everything. Washington ESD will contact your employer anyway to get their side of the story during the adjudication process.

I went through this exact same thing last year. Filed my claim online and it went into adjudication for like 3 weeks while they investigated. Eventually got approved because my employer couldn't prove I did anything intentionally wrong. The key is that Washington ESD looks at whether you violated company policy on purpose.

3 weeks?? How did you survive financially during that time?

It was rough tbh. Had to borrow money from family. But once it got approved I got all the back pay from those weeks.

The fact that you had no formal write-ups actually works in your favor. Washington ESD considers whether the employer followed progressive discipline procedures. If they fired you without proper documentation or warnings, that suggests it wasn't misconduct on your part.

Good point - they never put me on any kind of improvement plan or anything like that.

Same thing happened to my brother. No warnings then boom, fired for 'performance.' Got his unemployment approved no problem.

ugh I've been trying to call Washington ESD for weeks about my own claim issues and can never get through. The phone system is absolutely horrible - either busy signal or it hangs up on you after being on hold forever. Has anyone found a way to actually reach a real person there?

I had the same problem until I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com). They basically call Washington ESD for you and get you connected to an actual agent. Check out their demo video: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ. Worked great for me when I needed to get my adjudication issue resolved.

Interesting, never heard of that before. Did it actually work or is it some kind of scam?

Totally legit. I was skeptical too but I was desperate. They got me through to someone at Washington ESD within a couple hours and I was able to get my claim status updated. Way better than sitting on hold for hours.

just file asap dude. worst case they deny it and you appeal. but most firings for 'performance' get approved eventually

Yeah you're right, nothing to lose by trying. How long does the whole process usually take?

If there's no issues, about 2-3 weeks. If it goes to adjudication like yours probably will, could be 4-6 weeks total.

Washington ESD is so frustrating!! They make you jump through hoops for everything. I got fired from my retail job for being 'late too much' (which was bs, I was late like 3 times in 6 months) and it took FOREVER for them to approve my claim. The whole system is designed to discourage people from applying.

That's exactly what I'm worried about. How long did your case take?

Almost 2 months from start to finish. Had to do a phone interview and everything. But I eventually got approved and got all my back benefits.

For anyone dealing with Washington ESD delays - make sure you keep filing your weekly claims even during adjudication. If you get approved, you'll get paid for all those weeks. If you stop filing, you lose those weeks permanently.

Good to know! I haven't filed my initial claim yet but I'll keep that in mind.

This is super important advice. I almost stopped filing during my adjudication because I thought there was no point.

Question - do they look at your whole work history or just the most recent job? I got fired from my current job but had good performance at my previous jobs.

They focus on the most recent separation from work. Your previous job performance can be relevant but the main question is whether your firing was for misconduct.

Ok that makes sense. Thanks for clarifying!

I'm going through something similar right now. Got 'laid off' but I think it was really because my manager didn't like me. Filed my claim 2 weeks ago and it's been in adjudication status ever since. This waiting is killing me financially.

If you need to talk to someone at Washington ESD about your adjudication, I'd recommend trying Claimyr. That's how I finally got through when my claim was stuck. Way easier than trying to call yourself.

I might have to look into that. This waiting around is driving me crazy and I have bills to pay.

The most important thing is to be completely honest on your application. Don't try to hide the fact that you were fired or make up a different story. Washington ESD will find out the truth anyway when they contact your employer.

Definitely planning to be upfront about everything. Hopefully they'll see it was just a performance issue and not misconduct.

Exactly. Lying on your application is actual misconduct and will disqualify you for sure.

Does anyone know if they consider attendance issues as misconduct? I was fired for missing too many days but most of them were for being sick with no sick leave available.

It depends on the circumstances. If you had legitimate reasons for the absences and followed company policy for reporting them, it's less likely to be considered misconduct. Did you have doctor's notes or documentation?

I had some documentation but not for every absence. This is so stressful.

WASHINGTON ESD IS THE WORST. I've been waiting 6 weeks for them to make a decision on my claim. SIX WEEKS!! Meanwhile I'm behind on rent and can barely afford groceries. This system is broken.

6 weeks?! That's insane. Have you tried calling them?

Called probably 50 times. Either busy or they hang up after hours on hold. It's like they don't want to help people.

I feel for you. That's exactly why I ended up using Claimyr when I couldn't get through. Sometimes you just need to talk to an actual person to get things moving.

Pro tip: start your job search activities right away even if your claim is pending. Washington ESD requires you to be actively looking for work, and they might ask for your job search log during the process.

Good point. How many jobs do you have to apply to each week?

I think it's 3 per week minimum, but check the current requirements when you file your claim.

i got fired for arguing with my supervisor and still got unemployment. they said it wasn't misconduct because i was defending myself against harassment. so even if you think your situation looks bad, still worth applying

That gives me hope! My situation definitely seems less serious than that.

Yeah Washington ESD is actually pretty reasonable about what counts as misconduct. It has to be pretty serious or intentional.

Make sure you save all your documentation - termination letter, any emails, performance reviews, etc. You might need them if you have to appeal or do a phone interview with Washington ESD.

I don't think I got a formal termination letter, just told verbally. Is that going to be a problem?

Not necessarily, but try to get something in writing if possible. At least document the conversation - date, time, who was there, what was said.

Filed my claim online last Sunday and already got my first payment this week. No adjudication needed since my layoff was clearly not for misconduct. The online system actually worked pretty smoothly.

Lucky! Hopefully mine goes that smoothly but I'm expecting it to take longer since I was fired.

Even if it goes to adjudication, don't stress too much. Most people eventually get approved if they were fired for performance rather than misconduct.

Bottom line: file your claim ASAP. You have nothing to lose and potentially several hundred dollars a week to gain. Washington ESD will sort out the details - that's their job.

You're absolutely right. I'm going to file tonight. Thanks everyone for all the advice and encouragement!

Good luck! Feel free to come back and update us on how it goes.