How to get Washington ESD unemployment after being fired - need guidance
Just got terminated from my job yesterday and I'm panicking about whether I can even get unemployment benefits through Washington ESD. My supervisor said it was for 'performance issues' but honestly I think they just wanted to get rid of me because I'd been there 3 years and was making decent money. I know getting fired usually disqualifies you but I've heard some people still get approved. Has anyone successfully gotten Washington ESD unemployment after being terminated? What do I need to know before I file my claim?
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Ava Martinez
You can absolutely still get unemployment benefits after being fired, but it depends on the reason. Washington ESD has to determine if the termination was for 'misconduct' or not. Performance issues usually don't count as misconduct unless you were willfully not doing your job. When you file your claim, be honest about the termination but explain your side of the story.
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StarSurfer
•That's a relief to hear. Should I file right away or wait a few days? I'm worried about saying the wrong thing on the application.
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Ava Martinez
•File as soon as possible! Your benefit year starts from when you file, not when you were terminated. You can always clarify details later if needed.
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Miguel Castro
I went through this same situation last year. Got fired for 'not meeting expectations' but it was really because my manager didn't like me. Washington ESD approved my claim after about 2 weeks of adjudication. The key is to document everything - save any emails, performance reviews, or communications about your termination.
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StarSurfer
•Did you have to do a phone interview with Washington ESD? I'm dreading having to explain everything over the phone.
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Miguel Castro
•Yes, they called me for a fact-finding interview. It was nerve-wracking but just stick to the facts. They ask both you and your employer questions separately.
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Zainab Abdulrahman
•Good luck getting through to them on the phone! I've been trying to reach Washington ESD for weeks about my claim status.
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Connor Byrne
The Washington ESD phone system is absolutely terrible right now. If you need to talk to someone about your claim, I recently found this service called Claimyr that actually gets you through to a real person. They have this demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me hours of calling and getting hung up on. Check out claimyr.com if you get stuck trying to reach them.
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StarSurfer
•Never heard of that but I'll definitely look into it if I can't get through. Thanks for the tip!
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Yara Elias
•Is that one of those paid services? I'm already broke from being fired so I can't afford extra fees right now.
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Connor Byrne
•It's worth checking out their site for details. For me it was much cheaper than taking unpaid time off work to keep calling Washington ESD all day.
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QuantumQuasar
WHATEVER YOU DO, don't lie on your application!!! I know someone who said they quit instead of being fired and Washington ESD found out during their investigation. They got disqualified AND had to pay back benefits. Be honest about being terminated but explain the circumstances.
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StarSurfer
•Definitely wasn't planning to lie but good to know they actually investigate. How do they find out stuff like that?
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QuantumQuasar
•They contact your employer directly and ask for details. If your stories don't match up, you're in trouble.
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Keisha Jackson
The whole system is rigged against workers anyway. They make it so complicated and stressful just to get benefits you already paid into. But yeah, file your claim and fight for what you deserve.
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StarSurfer
•I'm definitely feeling that stress already. Just hoping I can get approved without too much drama.
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Ava Martinez
•Don't let the negativity get to you. The system works for most people who follow the rules and provide accurate information.
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Miguel Castro
One more thing - when you do your weekly claims, make sure you're honest about job search activities. They require you to make at least 3 job contacts per week and keep a log. Some people think they can slack off on this but Washington ESD does audit these records.
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StarSurfer
•I haven't even filed yet and I'm already feeling overwhelmed by all the requirements. Is there a good resource for understanding all the rules?
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Miguel Castro
•The Washington ESD website has a claimant handbook that explains everything. It's long but worth reading through.
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Paolo Moretti
•The handbook is helpful but some of the language is confusing. I had to read sections multiple times to understand what they meant.
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Zainab Abdulrahman
I'm still waiting on my adjudication after 3 weeks. Filed after being laid off but apparently there's some issue with my claim. Can't get anyone on the phone to explain what's happening. This whole process is a nightmare.
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StarSurfer
•3 weeks?! That's terrible. Have you tried that Claimyr thing someone mentioned earlier?
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Zainab Abdulrahman
•Just looked it up actually. Might be worth trying since I'm getting nowhere with regular calling.
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Connor Byrne
•Yeah, that's exactly the kind of situation where Claimyr helped me. Getting stuck in adjudication with no way to find out what's going on is so frustrating.
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Amina Diop
Make sure you apply online through the SecureAccess Washington portal. Don't try to do it over the phone unless you absolutely have to. The online system is much faster and you get confirmation that everything was submitted properly.
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StarSurfer
•Good to know. I was planning to do it online anyway since calling seems to be such a hassle.
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Oliver Weber
•The online system crashed on me twice when I was trying to file. Had to start over each time. So frustrating!
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Ava Martinez
For what it's worth, being fired for performance issues is generally not considered misconduct under Washington law. Misconduct typically involves things like theft, violence, or willful violation of company policies. Poor performance, personality conflicts, or not being a good fit usually don't disqualify you from benefits.
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StarSurfer
•That makes me feel a lot better. My situation was definitely more about not being a good fit than anything serious.
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Natasha Romanova
•What about being late to work? I got fired for attendance issues but it was because of my car breaking down and transit problems.
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Ava Martinez
•Attendance can be tricky. If you had legitimate reasons and tried to work with your employer, you might still qualify. Document everything and explain the circumstances when you file.
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NebulaNinja
Just wanted to add that you should file your claim even if you're not sure you'll qualify. Let Washington ESD make the decision rather than assuming you won't get benefits. The worst they can do is say no, but you might be surprised.
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StarSurfer
•True, I guess I have nothing to lose by trying. Thanks for the encouragement.
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Javier Gomez
•Exactly! I thought for sure I wouldn't qualify but ended up getting approved. You never know until you try.
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Emma Wilson
One thing nobody mentioned - if your employer contests your claim, don't panic. They often do this automatically even when they don't have a strong case. Washington ESD will investigate and make a fair decision based on the facts.
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StarSurfer
•What happens during the investigation? Do I need to hire a lawyer or anything?
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Emma Wilson
•No lawyer needed for most cases. They'll do a phone interview with you and your employer separately, then make a decision. If you disagree with their decision, you can always appeal.
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Malik Thomas
I got fired three months ago and I'm still dealing with the appeal process. It's been a long road but I'm finally getting my benefits. Don't give up if you get an initial denial - the appeals process exists for a reason.
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StarSurfer
•How long does the appeal process take? I'm hoping it doesn't come to that but good to know it's an option.
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Malik Thomas
•My appeal hearing was scheduled about 6 weeks after I filed it. The hearing itself was pretty straightforward - just explained my side of the story to the judge over the phone.
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Isabella Oliveira
Quick tip - when you file your claim, you'll need your Social Security number, driver's license, and employment history for the last 18 months. Having all that info ready makes the application process much smoother.
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StarSurfer
•Thanks for the checklist! I'll gather all that stuff before I start the application.
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Ravi Kapoor
•Also helpful to have your last pay stub and any termination paperwork if you got any.
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Freya Larsen
The waiting week is gone now so you should get paid for your first week if you're approved. That changed a few years ago but some people still think there's a waiting period.
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StarSurfer
•Good to know! Every bit of money helps right now.
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GalacticGladiator
•Yeah, they eliminated the waiting week permanently. Much better than the old system.
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Omar Zaki
File your claim this week if possible. Benefits are calculated based on your earnings in your 'base year' which is usually the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters. The sooner you file, the sooner that gets established.
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StarSurfer
•I'm definitely filing today. Thanks everyone for all the helpful advice - feeling much more confident about the process now.
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Chloe Taylor
•Good luck! Most people who file in good faith end up getting approved. Don't let the horror stories scare you too much.
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