I was fired can I get unemployment - Washington ESD eligibility questions

That's a relief to hear. There was no deliberate rule breaking on my part, just disagreements with my supervisor about how to handle certain tasks. Should I file right away?

Definitely file as soon as possible. You can file online at esd.wa.gov and the sooner you apply, the sooner your benefits can start if you're approved. Don't wait thinking you might not qualify.

How long did the adjudication take? I'm worried about being without income for weeks while they investigate.

Mine took about 3 weeks. If you're struggling to get through to Washington ESD by phone during the process, I found this service called Claimyr that helped me reach an actual person. Check out claimyr.com - they have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

Thanks, I'll look into that. The phone lines are always busy when I try to call.

That makes sense. I was definitely trying my best, just had different ideas about how to do things than my boss wanted.

Exactly right. Poor performance due to inability or good faith errors is not misconduct under Washington state law. Only deliberate violations or gross negligence typically disqualify you.

They just said 'performance issues' on my termination paperwork but didn't give specifics. What did you put on your application for reason you were separated?

I was honest and said I was terminated for performance reasons but explained that I was doing my best and following all policies. I figured being truthful was better than trying to hide it.

That's the right approach. Washington ESD will find out the real reason anyway when they contact your employer, so honesty is always best on your application.

Six months?? That's insane. I can't go that long without income. Did you have to get a lawyer for the appeal?

No lawyer, did it myself. The appeal hearing was over the phone and I just explained what really happened. The judge saw through my employer's lies. Don't give up if they deny you initially!

Appeals do take time but many people win on appeal when they have documentation or witnesses to support their case. The initial denial isn't the end of the road.

Good point about the job search. How many jobs do you have to apply for each week?

You need to make at least 3 job search activities per week and keep a log. This can include applying for jobs, attending job fairs, networking events, or taking career-related classes. Washington ESD may audit your job search so keep good records.

And register with WorkSource Washington if you haven't already. That's a requirement for most UI claims.

Good job getting it filed quickly! Make sure to file your weekly claims even while waiting for the adjudication decision. You can do this online through your eServices account.

Yes, definitely keep filing weekly even if your claim is pending. I made that mistake and it delayed my payments when I finally got approved.

This is really helpful. Based on these criteria, I don't think what happened to me would qualify as misconduct.

yeah this is good info. saved me from panicking about my own situation

Good to know about the 30-day deadline. I'll make sure to calendar that if needed.

And appeals are done by phone usually, so you don't have to go anywhere. Just make sure you have all your documentation ready.

The waiting really is stressful. At least we're not alone in dealing with this!

If you need to check on your adjudication status and can't get through on the phone, that Claimyr service I mentioned earlier really does work. Saved me hours of trying to call.

Thanks for the tip. I'll check it out if I need to call them.

What kind of questions do they ask in these interviews?

They'll ask about the circumstances of your termination, your work performance, any warnings you received, and your understanding of company policies. Just tell the truth about what happened.

It's a common misconception. Many people who were fired are eligible for benefits. You can still apply now, though you'll only be able to claim benefits going forward, not retroactively.

Better late than never I guess. Filing my application tonight.

Congratulations! Glad it worked out for you. Remember to keep filing your weekly claims and maintain your job search activities.

That gives me hope! Still waiting on mine but at least I know it's possible to get approved.

Great news! Now you can focus on finding your next job without the financial stress.

Awesome! This thread convinced me that I probably have a good chance too.