If fired can I collect unemployment - Washington ESD eligibility question

Yes, you can still collect if you were fired for poor performance in most cases. Washington ESD looks at whether you were terminated for 'misconduct' which is different from just poor performance. Being bad at your job isn't the same as willful misconduct. You should definitely file your claim right away.

The key thing Washington ESD looks at is whether your termination was for misconduct connected with your work. Poor performance alone typically doesn't qualify as misconduct. However, if your employer claims it was for misconduct, your claim might go into adjudication while they investigate. Make sure to provide your side of the story when you file.

I had a similar situation last year where I got fired and was worried about UI. Turns out trying to reach Washington ESD by phone was the biggest nightmare - I spent weeks calling and either getting busy signals or being on hold for hours just to get hung up on. Finally found out about this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually gets you through to an agent. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me so much time and stress.

File immediately! Don't wait. Even if your claim gets denied initially, you can appeal. The worst thing you can do is wait to file because benefits don't start until you actually submit your application.

ugh the washington esd system is such a pain. i got fired too and it took them like 6 weeks to approve my claim even though it was obviously not my fault. just be prepared for a long wait and lots of frustration

One thing to keep in mind - when you file, be honest about the circumstances of your termination. Don't try to hide that you were fired or make it sound like you quit. Washington ESD will find out anyway when they contact your employer, and being dishonest can hurt your case.

Been there. Got fired from my last job for 'performance issues' but really it was because my supervisor didn't like me. Filed for unemployment and got approved after about 3 weeks. Just make sure you keep filing your weekly claims even while you're waiting for the decision.

The Washington ESD website has a section about eligibility that explains the misconduct standards. Basically if you were trying to do your job but just weren't good at it, that's not misconduct. But if you were deliberately violating rules or being insubordinate, that could be misconduct.

Whatever you do, don't let your employer intimidate you into not filing. Some employers will try to tell you that you can't get unemployment if you're fired, but that's not true. They might contest your claim, but you still have the right to file and get a decision.

I'm dealing with something similar right now. Got fired three weeks ago and my claim is still in adjudication. It's nerve-wracking not knowing if I'll get approved or not. At least I've been filing my weekly claims like everyone says to do.

For what it's worth, I used Claimyr when I needed to check on my claim status during adjudication. Way better than trying to get through to Washington ESD on my own. The regular phone lines are basically useless with how busy they are.

Make sure you also start looking for work right away and keep track of your job search activities. Even if your claim is approved, you'll need to show that you're actively looking for work to keep getting benefits.

THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS BROKEN!!! I got fired for bogus reasons and it took 2 months to get my first payment. Meanwhile I'm behind on rent and bills. Washington ESD doesn't care about working people at all.

Just went through this myself. Filed online through the Washington ESD website and it was pretty straightforward. The hardest part was waiting for the decision. But I did get approved and got back pay for all the weeks I was waiting.

Don't forget you might also be eligible for job training programs through WorkSource if you're having trouble finding work in your field. Sometimes getting fired is a blessing in disguise if it pushes you to find something better.

same thing happened to me last year. got fired then approved for ui after they investigated. just make sure you tell your side of the story when they ask. employers dont always tell the truth

The bottom line is that you have the right to file for unemployment benefits regardless of whether you were fired or laid off. Washington ESD will make the determination about whether you qualify based on the facts of your case. Don't let anyone tell you not to file.

One more thing - if you do get denied and need to appeal, don't wait. You only have a limited time to file an appeal, so act quickly if you disagree with their decision.

I tried using that Claimyr thing someone mentioned earlier and it actually worked! Got through to an agent in like 10 minutes instead of calling for days. Definitely recommend it if you need to talk to someone at Washington ESD about your claim.