If you are terminated can you get unemployment - Washington ESD eligibility question

That's a relief! How do I prove it was performance and not misconduct? I don't have any written warnings or documentation.

Washington ESD will contact your employer to get their side of the story. If they can't prove misconduct, you should be approved. Just be honest about what happened when you file your claim.

How long did it take for you to get approved? I'm worried about the waiting period.

It took about 3 weeks for my claim to process. There's always a one-week waiting period before benefits start, but they can backdate it if you're approved.

I had the same problem until I found this service called Claimyr. They help you get through to Washington ESD agents by phone. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. It was a lifesaver for me!

Interesting, I'll check that out. I've been calling for hours every day with no luck.

Does that service actually work? I'm skeptical about paying for something like that.

It worked for me! I was able to talk to someone within a few days instead of weeks of calling. Worth it when you need answers about your claim.

I was planning to file today. Do I need any specific documents or information before I start?

You'll need your Social Security number, employment history for the last 18 months, and your last employer's information. Have your bank account info ready too for direct deposit.

That's not really fair to say. Most legitimate claims get approved. The system has issues but it's not rigged against workers.

Easy for you to say if you haven't been through the appeals process. It's a nightmare and they make it as difficult as possible.

Yes, you need to be actively seeking work and log your job search activities. Washington ESD requires 3 job search activities per week. You'll report this when you file your weekly claims.

Thanks! I wasn't sure if that started immediately or after approval.

That's exactly what I'm worried about! How do they determine what's misconduct vs just personality conflicts?

Adjudication can take several weeks. They interview both you and your employer. Document everything you remember about the termination and any conversations with your supervisor.

I wish I had kept better records. Hindsight is 20/20 I guess.

That gives me hope! I definitely wasn't being deliberately bad at my job, just struggling with the workload.

Glad it worked for you too! Sometimes these technical issues can hold up your benefits for weeks if you don't know about them.

Maybe I should try it too. I've been waiting for my appeal decision for over a month.

Is that week permanently lost or do you get it back later?

It's permanently lost unless you get laid off again later and don't have to serve another waiting week. It's just part of the system.

Yeah, it was definitely a termination. They said my performance wasn't meeting expectations.

That should still qualify as long as you were trying to do your job. Inability to perform isn't the same as willful misconduct.

Seriously, try Claimyr! I keep recommending it because it actually works. Their website is claimyr.com and they have a demo video that explains everything.

I might have to at this point. The frustration is real.

Good advice! I'll start documenting everything from the beginning.

Maybe you got lucky. My appeal hearing was a disaster and the judge seemed biased toward the employer.

That's unfortunate. I think it depends on the specific circumstances and how well you can present your case.

Too late for that advice but good to know for future reference!

That's encouraging! Did your employer contest your claim at all?

They did contest it initially but Washington ESD still approved me after reviewing the case. I think they realized it was just a performance issue.

Good idea, I hadn't thought about that. Do you know if unemployment affects eligibility for other programs?

it might affect some programs but you should still apply. better to have the help while you need it

When do the weekly claims start? Right after I file my initial application?

Yes, you'll need to file your first weekly claim for the week you became unemployed. The system will tell you when your next claim is due.

Thanks for all the encouragement everyone! I'm going to file my claim today and see what happens.

Awesome! I'm definitely going to bookmark that service in case I need it. Hopefully my claim goes smoothly but it's good to know there's a backup plan.

So glad it worked out for you! It's really frustrating when you can't get answers about something as important as your unemployment benefits.