I got fired can I apply for unemployment - Washington ESD eligibility question

Yes, you can absolutely apply for unemployment even if you were fired! Washington ESD will review your case to determine if the termination was for 'misconduct' or not. Performance issues usually don't count as misconduct unless it was willful neglect or violation of company policy. You should file your claim right away since there's a waiting period and benefits are calculated from when you file, not when you were terminated.

I went through this same situation 6 months ago. Got fired for 'poor performance' but it was really because my supervisor had it out for me. Filed for UI benefits and got approved after about 3 weeks. The key is being honest about what happened but also explaining your side of the story. Washington ESD will contact your former employer to get their version too.

File ASAP! I made the mistake of waiting a few weeks thinking I'd find another job quickly and it hurt my benefit amount. The sooner you file, the sooner you can start getting payments. Also, you have to be actively looking for work and reporting your job search activities every week, so keep track of where you apply.

Honestly, dealing with Washington ESD can be really frustrating especially when you're trying to get through to someone on the phone to ask questions. I spent weeks trying to call them about my claim status and could never get through. Finally found this service called Claimyr that actually got me connected to an agent in like 20 minutes. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me so much stress.

One thing to keep in mind is that your former employer can contest your claim. If they do, your case might go into adjudication which can delay your benefits for several weeks. Don't panic if this happens - it's pretty common and most legitimate claims get approved eventually. Just be patient and respond promptly to any requests for information from Washington ESD.

ugh i hate that you even have to worry about this when you just lost your job. the whole system is so backwards. you should automatically get benefits when you lose employment through no fault of your own and then they can investigate later if needed. instead they make you jump through hoops when you're already stressed about money.

Make sure you file online through the Washington ESD website - it's faster than calling or going in person. The system will ask you a bunch of questions about your work history and why you separated from your job. Answer everything honestly and provide as much detail as possible. Even if you're not sure about eligibility, it's worth filing because the worst they can do is say no.

Similar thing happened to my brother last year - fired for attendance issues but he had a legitimate medical situation. He filed anyway and after some back and forth with Washington ESD, he got approved. The key was providing documentation to support his case. Even if your situation seems borderline, it's worth applying because you never know how they'll interpret the circumstances.

Don't forget about the waiting week! Washington ESD has a one-week waiting period before benefits start, so even if you get approved right away, your first payment won't be for at least two weeks after you file. Plan your finances accordingly because that first month can be tight.

Just want to echo what others have said about being honest in your application. I tried to sugarcoat some details about my termination and it came back to bite me during the review process. Washington ESD will verify everything with your employer anyway, so transparency is your best bet for a smooth approval process.

If you do end up needing to talk to someone at Washington ESD about your claim, I'd recommend trying that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier. I used it a few months ago when my claim was stuck in adjudication and I couldn't get through on the regular phone lines. Worth every penny to actually speak with a real person instead of listening to busy signals all day.

Been there done that with the whole fired-for-performance thing. Filed my claim, got approved after about 4 weeks of adjudication, and collected benefits for about 3 months while job hunting. The process was stressful but it worked out. Just stay on top of your weekly claim filings and job search requirements - they're pretty strict about both.

Quick tip - when you file your weekly claims, make sure you report any income you earn from odd jobs or part-time work. I know someone who got in trouble for not reporting some cash work they did and it caused a whole overpayment mess. Better to be overly transparent than risk issues later.

Also worth mentioning that if your employer does contest your claim and you disagree with Washington ESD's initial decision, you have the right to appeal. The appeal process includes a hearing where you can present your case. I had to do this once and while it was intimidating, having my side of the story heard made all the difference.

Don't let anyone tell you that getting fired automatically disqualifies you from unemployment. That's a common misconception. As long as the firing wasn't for willful misconduct or violation of law, you're likely eligible. Performance issues, personality conflicts, attendance problems due to illness - these usually don't disqualify you from benefits.

One more thing - if you have trouble reaching Washington ESD by phone for questions about your claim, I can vouch for that Claimyr service too. Used it last month when I needed to speak with someone about my job search log requirements. Way better than spending hours on hold or getting hung up on. They really know how to navigate the Washington ESD phone system.

Just file the claim today if you can. The worst thing you can do is wait and overthink it. Washington ESD will determine your eligibility based on the facts of your case. Even if there's some uncertainty, you're better off filing and potentially getting denied than not filing at all and missing out on benefits you're entitled to.