If I'm fired do I get unemployment benefits in Washington state?

Thank you! Should I mention the part about questioning their practices or just focus on the performance stuff they said?

Be honest but stick to facts. Washington ESD will contact your employer anyway, so don't leave out important details that might help your case.

That gives me hope! How long did the investigation take?

About 3 weeks total. They called me, called my old boss, then made their decision.

Never heard of that service. How much does it cost?

I don't remember the exact cost but it was worth it to actually talk to someone instead of getting hung up on constantly. Way less than what I would have lost missing work to sit on hold all day.

Interesting, I might need to check that out. I've been trying to reach them about my adjudication for weeks.

Good point. I'll start the application tonight. Do I need any specific documents?

Have your social security card, ID, and employment history ready. Also any termination paperwork if they gave you any.

That's not true at all. Washington ESD investigates each case individually and they approve claims all the time when people are wrongfully terminated.

maybe but it's still a hassle and takes forever

This is really helpful. Based on what you're saying, I think I have a good chance since it was just them saying I wasn't meeting expectations.

Exactly. Document everything you can remember about the termination meeting and any prior conversations about your performance.

Also keep records of any positive feedback or reviews you received before this happened.

Wait, really? I thought being late would count as misconduct.

Nope, Washington ESD said it wasn't willful misconduct in my case. Every situation is different though.

They haven't said anything about me not being eligible, but I was worried they might contest it.

Even if they contest it, Washington ESD will still investigate and make their own determination based on the facts.

I'm definitely filing tonight. Thanks for the push - I was second-guessing myself.

Smart move. Better to file and get denied than not file and miss out on benefits you were entitled to.

A month seems like forever when you need the money now, but good to know about the backpay.

Yeah it was stressful but worth the wait. I used that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier to actually talk to them about the status instead of just waiting blindly.

Absolutely. I plan to be totally upfront about everything that happened.

Good approach. The truth usually comes out anyway when they investigate.

Oh right, I forgot about that. How many job contacts do I need to make each week?

i think it's 3 per week but check the washington esd website to be sure. they're pretty strict about documenting it properly

Awesome news! Thanks for coming back to update - this will help other people in similar situations.

Congrats! I'm glad it worked out for you.

This gives me hope for my own situation. Filed last week after being let go for similar reasons.

Great advice. I learned this the hard way when they asked for proof of something and I had already thrown it away.

I saved everything, including the notes I took during the termination meeting. Glad I was paranoid about it now.

Exactly this. I work in HR and I've seen plenty of people get unemployment after being terminated for performance issues.

Thanks everyone for all the encouragement and advice. This thread really helped me understand the process and gave me confidence to file.

Benjamin, I'm so glad this thread helped you too! It sounds like we're in very similar situations - being let go after raising legitimate concerns is so frustrating. The support and advice from everyone here really made a difference for me. Don't beat yourself up about waiting to file, the important thing is you're doing it now. From what I've learned, Washington ESD really does look at each case fairly. Keep us posted on how it goes - I'm rooting for you! And document everything you can remember about your termination and the issues you raised, it might help during their investigation.

Benjamin, definitely file this weekend! Your situation sounds very similar to mine and several others here. The "not being a good fit" reason after raising concerns about questionable practices is actually a pretty strong case in your favor. Washington ESD tends to look favorably on people who were terminated for speaking up about legitimate workplace issues. One month isn't too late at all - I've heard of people filing even later and still getting approved with backpay. Make sure you mention the billing concerns you raised when you file, as that context could really help your case. Good luck and thanks for sharing your story too!

Benjamin, your situation sounds almost identical to mine! I was also worried about filing after being terminated, but this community really opened my eyes to how the process actually works. The fact that you were let go for "not being a good fit" after raising concerns about billing practices actually sounds like it could work in your favor - that's not misconduct, that's you being a responsible employee. One thing I learned from everyone here is that Washington ESD really does investigate thoroughly and doesn't just automatically side with employers. A month delay shouldn't hurt you since you'll get backpay if approved. Definitely mention those billing concerns when you file - it shows you were acting ethically, not causing problems. This whole thread has been such a lifesaver for understanding the process. Wishing you the best of luck with your claim!

Benjamin, your story is giving me chills because it's so similar to what I went through! The whole "not being a good fit" excuse after you raised legitimate concerns is such a classic retaliation move. I'm actually dealing with my own case right now and reading everyone's experiences here has been incredibly helpful. The fact that you spoke up about questionable billing practices actually strengthens your case - Washington ESD recognizes the difference between being a troublemaker and being an ethical employee. Don't worry about the one month delay, from what I've learned they can backdate your benefits if you're approved. Make sure you document everything you remember about those billing issues you raised and when you raised them. Having that timeline could be really important during their investigation. Fingers crossed for both of us!

Benjamin, I'm so sorry you're dealing with this too, but you're definitely not alone! Your situation with being let go for "not being a good fit" after raising concerns about billing practices sounds like it could actually work in your favor - that's exactly the kind of thing Washington ESD looks for when determining if a termination was justified or not. Speaking up about questionable practices shows you were being a responsible employee, not causing problems. A month isn't too late at all to file, and if you get approved you'll receive backpay from when you first became unemployed. Make sure to be detailed about those billing concerns when you fill out your application - that context could really strengthen your case. This whole thread has been such an eye-opener for me too about how the system actually works. Wishing you all the best with your claim!

Benjamin, I'm really glad this thread is helping you too! Your situation with being terminated for "not being a good fit" after raising concerns about billing practices sounds very similar to what many of us have experienced. The good news is that Washington ESD specifically looks at the context around terminations - being let go for speaking up about legitimate workplace issues is very different from being fired for actual misconduct. One month isn't too late to file at all, and you'll get backpay if approved. When you file, definitely include details about the billing concerns you raised and the timeline of events. That shows you were acting ethically and responsibly, which could really strengthen your case. The fact that you had no formal disciplinary actions beforehand also works in your favor. Don't let fear hold you back from filing - the worst they can say is no, but based on what everyone has shared here, you have a solid chance. Keep us updated on how it goes!

Lindsey, thank you so much for sharing your experience! It's really reassuring to hear from someone who went through something so similar and came out successful. The fact that Washington ESD approved your claim even though you suspected the real reason was asking questions about policies gives me a lot of hope. I keep going back and forth between feeling confident and then worrying they'll automatically side with my employer, but stories like yours remind me that the system actually does work when you're in the right. I'm definitely filing tonight - this whole thread has been like a masterclass in understanding how unemployment claims actually work. Really appreciate you taking the time to encourage others going through this stressful situation!

Liam, this is incredibly helpful to hear! Your situation sounds almost identical to mine - same timeline, same "performance issues" excuse, and questioning safety shortcuts vs. my questioning of sketchy practices. The fact that the investigator actually understood that you were being a responsible employee by questioning those safety issues gives me so much hope. I was worried that mentioning the practices I questioned might hurt my case, but you're right that it shows I was acting ethically. It's such a relief to know that Washington ESD actually looks at the full context and doesn't just rubber stamp whatever the employer says. 10 days is pretty fast too - I was expecting it to take much longer based on some of the other stories. I'm filing tonight for sure now. Thank you for sharing your experience and for the encouragement about using a system I've paid into!

Emma, your story is so encouraging and really similar to what I'm dealing with! It's amazing how many of us have gone through this same pattern - being let go for "performance issues" right after raising concerns about questionable practices. The fact that the investigator actually recognized that questioning unethical practices shows good judgment rather than poor performance gives me so much confidence. I've been documenting everything I can remember about both the termination meeting and the sketchy practices I questioned, so hopefully that will help my case too. It's really reassuring to know that Washington ESD actually takes the time to investigate the full context rather than just accepting whatever the employer claims. Thank you for sharing your experience and for the encouragement - hearing from people who've been through this exact situation and succeeded makes such a difference when you're stressed about paying rent and wondering if you'll get denied. I'm definitely filing tonight!

Cedric, your situation sounds so frustrating but you're absolutely doing the right thing by filing! The pattern you're describing - being labeled as having "attitude issues" after pushing back on policies that violate labor laws - is exactly the kind of thing Washington ESD looks for when determining if a termination was justified. You weren't being difficult, you were trying to protect workers' rights, which is completely different from actual misconduct. The fact that you had no formal warnings or write-ups really strengthens your case too. I've been reading through all these stories and it's clear that Washington ESD takes the full context into account, not just the employer's version of events. When you file, definitely include details about those overtime policies you questioned and why you believed they violated labor laws - that shows you were acting responsibly and ethically. Don't let them intimidate you into thinking you don't deserve benefits. You've paid into this system and you have every right to use it when you need it. Best of luck with your claim!

Anastasia, thank you so much for sharing your detailed experience! Your situation really does sound almost identical to mine - the 8-month timeline, no formal disciplinary actions, and being terminated for "performance concerns" after questioning questionable practices. It's incredibly reassuring to hear that the investigator actually understood that questioning potentially unethical behavior is what responsible employees should do. I've been worried that mentioning the sketchy practices I questioned might somehow hurt my case, but your story and others here show that it actually demonstrates good judgment and ethical behavior. The 3-week timeline gives me a realistic expectation too. I'm definitely filing tonight - this whole thread has been such a lifeline for understanding how the process actually works and realizing I'm not alone in this situation. I'll make sure to be completely honest about both aspects when I file and keep detailed documentation of everything. Thank you for taking the time to share such encouraging and detailed advice!

Miguel, thank you for sharing your experience and for all the encouragement! It's amazing how many people have gone through this exact same pattern - being fired for "performance issues" right after questioning workplace violations. Your story about the safety violations is particularly striking because it shows how employers sometimes retaliate against employees who are actually trying to protect everyone. I'm really glad to hear that Washington ESD saw through that and approved your claim. All these stories are giving me so much confidence that I'm making the right decision by filing. It's clear that the system really does work when you're honest and have legitimate grounds for your case. I've been documenting everything I can remember about both the termination and the sketchy practices I questioned, so hopefully that will help during their investigation. Thanks for emphasizing the importance of filing tonight to protect my claim date - I'm definitely not waiting any longer!

Isaac, thank you so much for weighing in with your employment law perspective! It's incredibly reassuring to hear from someone with professional expertise that my situation sounds like a strong case. Your point about Washington ESD having employee-friendly standards gives me a lot of confidence, and you're absolutely right that the lack of any documented performance issues over 8 months really undermines their sudden "performance problems" claim. I really appreciate you clarifying that mentioning the sketchy practices isn't about being vindictive - it's about providing full context. That framing helps me feel more comfortable about being completely transparent when I file tonight. Everyone in this thread has been so supportive and informative, but having professional validation really seals the deal for me. You're right that the worst they can say is no, and I'd much rather try and get denied than not try at all and wonder "what if." Filing my claim as soon as I finish reading through all these responses!