If u get fired can u collect unemployment - Washington ESD eligibility?
Got terminated from my warehouse job last week for what they called 'performance issues' but honestly I think it was just because I complained about safety violations. Been working there for 8 months and never had any write-ups before this. Can I still file for unemployment with Washington ESD if I got fired? I heard different things from people - some say you can't get benefits if you're fired, others say it depends on the reason. Really stressed about this because I need to pay rent next month and job hunting is taking forever. Anyone know how this works with Washington state unemployment?
61 comments


Melissa Lin
Yes, you can still get unemployment benefits even if you were fired, but it depends on whether it was for 'misconduct' or not. Washington ESD has to determine if you were fired for reasons beyond your control (like performance issues, downsizing, etc.) versus willful misconduct (like stealing, fighting, etc.). Performance issues usually don't disqualify you unless they can prove it was intentional.
0 coins
Effie Alexander
•That's a relief to hear. They said it was performance but I was meeting all my quotas. Just worried Washington ESD will side with the employer automatically.
0 coins
Lydia Santiago
•They don't automatically side with employers. Washington ESD investigates both sides during adjudication if there's a dispute.
0 coins
Romeo Quest
Definitely file ASAP! I got fired from my retail job for 'attitude problems' which was basically just me asking for proper breaks. Washington ESD approved my claim after about 3 weeks of adjudication. The key is being honest about what happened and providing your side of the story.
0 coins
Effie Alexander
•How long did the whole process take? I'm already behind on bills and can't afford to wait months.
0 coins
Romeo Quest
•Filed on a Monday, got my first payment about 4 weeks later. The adjudication part took the longest because they had to contact my old employer.
0 coins
Val Rossi
I had such a hard time reaching anyone at Washington ESD when I got fired last year. Kept calling the main number but either got busy signals or hung up on after waiting 2+ hours. Finally found this service called Claimyr that actually got me through to a real person at Washington ESD within like 20 minutes. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Basically calls for you and connects you when an agent picks up. Was a lifesaver for getting my adjudication resolved quickly.
0 coins
Eve Freeman
•Never heard of that but honestly anything is better than sitting on hold for hours. The Washington ESD phone system is absolutely broken.
0 coins
Effie Alexander
•Might have to try that if I can't get through. Did it cost anything to use?
0 coins
Val Rossi
•Yeah there's a fee but it was worth it to actually talk to someone and get my claim moving. Check out claimyr.com for details.
0 coins
Clarissa Flair
same thing happened to me got fired for being 'difficult' when I was just doing my job properly. washington esd approved my claim no problem. just be honest when you file and dont let them intimidate you into not applying
0 coins
Effie Alexander
•Thanks for the encouragement. Did you have to do a phone interview or anything?
0 coins
Clarissa Flair
•yeah they called me during the adjudication process asked about what happened. just told the truth and provided documentation of the safety issues i reported
0 coins
Caden Turner
The way Washington ESD determines misconduct is pretty specific. They look at whether you violated company policy willfully and substantially. Just being bad at your job or having personality conflicts usually doesn't qualify as misconduct. Since you mentioned safety violations, that might actually help your case - shows you were acting in good faith.
0 coins
Effie Alexander
•I did document the safety issues I reported to HR before I got fired. Should I include that in my unemployment application?
0 coins
Caden Turner
•Absolutely include that documentation. It shows you were terminated for legitimate workplace concerns, not misconduct.
0 coins
McKenzie Shade
•This is good advice. Washington ESD takes retaliation claims seriously, especially safety-related ones.
0 coins
Harmony Love
DONT LISTEN TO THESE PEOPLE!! If you got fired you cant get unemployment its that simple. Washington ESD will deny your claim and you'll waste your time. Happened to my cousin last year.
0 coins
Melissa Lin
•That's completely wrong. You can absolutely get unemployment if you were fired for non-misconduct reasons. Your cousin's situation might have been different.
0 coins
Harmony Love
•Whatever. The system is rigged against regular people anyway. Good luck fighting them.
0 coins
Caden Turner
•Being fired for misconduct is different from being fired for performance or other legitimate reasons. Please don't discourage people from applying when they might be eligible.
0 coins
Rudy Cenizo
I work in HR and see this all the time. Most employers don't fight unemployment claims unless it was for serious misconduct like theft or violence. Performance issues usually result in approved claims. File as soon as possible though - there's a waiting period and benefits are backdated to your filing date, not when you were terminated.
0 coins
Effie Alexander
•Really? So even if my employer contests it, I might still get approved?
0 coins
Rudy Cenizo
•Exactly. Washington ESD makes the final determination based on the facts, not just what the employer claims. That's why the adjudication process exists.
0 coins
Natalie Khan
ugh this brings back memories of my own unemployment nightmare. Took forever to get through to Washington ESD and then they kept asking for more documents. At least now there are services like Claimyr to help with the phone situation. Wish I had known about that back then.
0 coins
Daryl Bright
•Is Claimyr legit? Sounds almost too good to be true given how impossible it is to reach Washington ESD normally.
0 coins
Natalie Khan
•My neighbor used it recently and said it worked exactly as advertised. Got connected to a Washington ESD agent in under 30 minutes instead of calling all day.
0 coins
Sienna Gomez
Been through this exact situation three times over the past decade. Washington ESD approved my claim every time I was fired for performance reasons. The key is documenting everything - emails, performance reviews, any communications with HR or management. Build your case before you even file.
0 coins
Effie Alexander
•I saved all my emails about the safety issues and have copies of my performance reviews. Sounds like I should include all of that?
0 coins
Sienna Gomez
•Absolutely. The more documentation you have showing you were acting in good faith, the better your chances during adjudication.
0 coins
Kirsuktow DarkBlade
File immediately and don't let them scare you! I was fired from my restaurant job for 'not fitting in with the team culture' which was basically code for not putting up with harassment. Washington ESD approved my claim after investigating. They understand the difference between legitimate termination and misconduct.
0 coins
Effie Alexander
•That gives me hope. How long did the investigation take in your case?
0 coins
Kirsuktow DarkBlade
•About 3 weeks total. They called me once for a phone interview and contacted my former employer. Then I got the approval notice.
0 coins
Abigail bergen
Whatever you do, apply online through the Washington ESD website immediately. Don't wait around thinking about it. Even if they deny your initial claim, you can appeal. But you need to get the process started ASAP to protect your filing date.
0 coins
Effie Alexander
•Already started filling out the application. Nervous about the phone interview part though.
0 coins
Abigail bergen
•Just be honest and stick to the facts. They're not trying to trick you, they just need to understand what really happened.
0 coins
Ahooker-Equator
I got fired for 'insubordination' which was really just me refusing to work in unsafe conditions. Washington ESD took my side after hearing both sides of the story. Don't let anyone tell you that being fired automatically disqualifies you - it absolutely doesn't.
0 coins
Effie Alexander
•That's exactly what I was worried about. Did you need a lawyer or anything for the process?
0 coins
Ahooker-Equator
•Nope, handled it all myself. Just had to be prepared to explain my side clearly during the phone interview.
0 coins
Anderson Prospero
The Washington ESD adjudication process is actually pretty fair if you have documentation. I've seen people get approved even when employers contest it, especially in cases involving safety concerns or retaliation. Your situation sounds like it has merit.
0 coins
Effie Alexander
•Really hoping they see it that way. The whole situation has been so stressful.
0 coins
Anderson Prospero
•Hang in there. The system isn't perfect but it does work when you have legitimate grounds for benefits.
0 coins
Tyrone Hill
Another vote for using Claimyr if you need to talk to Washington ESD quickly. Used it last month when my weekly claim got stuck in processing. Within 20 minutes I was talking to an actual person who fixed the issue immediately. So much better than the endless hold times.
0 coins
Toot-n-Mighty
•How does it work exactly? Do they just call for you or something?
0 coins
Tyrone Hill
•Yeah, you give them your info and they call Washington ESD repeatedly until they get through, then connect you to the agent. Saves hours of frustration.
0 coins
Lena Kowalski
File your claim TODAY. Seriously. Even if you're not sure about eligibility, let Washington ESD make that determination. I waited two weeks after getting fired and regretted it because benefits only backdate to your filing date, not your termination date.
0 coins
Effie Alexander
•Already submitted it this morning after reading all these responses. Feeling more confident about it now.
0 coins
Lena Kowalski
•Good! Now just wait for them to process it and be ready to provide additional information if they request it during adjudication.
0 coins
DeShawn Washington
Performance issues are NOT the same as misconduct in Washington state. I was fired for not meeting sales quotas (which were unrealistic anyway) and got full unemployment benefits. The employer tried to fight it but Washington ESD sided with me because I wasn't willfully violating policy.
0 coins
Effie Alexander
•That's reassuring. My performance metrics were actually decent, they just said I had 'attitude problems' after reporting safety issues.
0 coins
DeShawn Washington
•Sounds like potential retaliation to me. Make sure to mention that connection when you talk to Washington ESD.
0 coins
Mei-Ling Chen
been there done that. got fired from construction job for 'not following directions' but really they just didnt like that I questioned unsafe practices. washington esd approved my benefits no problem. dont stress about it just file the claim
0 coins
Effie Alexander
•Thanks, that's encouraging. How long before you found another job?
0 coins
Mei-Ling Chen
•took about 6 weeks but the unemployment benefits helped me not have to take the first crappy job that came along
0 coins
Sofía Rodríguez
The bottom line is Washington ESD looks at whether you were fired for misconduct that was willful and substantial. Reporting safety violations is actually protected activity, so if that's why you were really terminated, you have a strong case for benefits. Don't let the employer intimidate you.
0 coins
Effie Alexander
•I'm feeling a lot better about this after reading everyone's experiences. Going to document everything and be ready for the adjudication process.
0 coins
Sofía Rodríguez
•That's the right approach. Stay organized with your documentation and be honest about what happened. Washington ESD deals with these situations all the time.
0 coins
Aiden O'Connor
UPDATE: Just want to thank everyone for the advice and encouragement. Filed my claim this morning and already got the confirmation. Now just waiting to see what happens with the adjudication process. Fingers crossed!
0 coins
Zoe Papadopoulos
•Good luck! Keep us posted on how it goes.
0 coins
Caden Turner
•You did the right thing by filing immediately. Hope everything works out for you.
0 coins
Val Rossi
•If you need to reach Washington ESD during the process, remember that Claimyr option. Much easier than trying to get through on your own.
0 coins