If you get fired can you collect unemployment in Washington ESD?

That's somewhat reassuring. How do they decide what counts as misconduct?

Misconduct typically involves things like theft, violence, deliberate rule violations, or gross negligence. Poor performance or disagreements with management usually don't qualify as misconduct.

How long did the whole process take for you?

About 3 weeks from filing to getting my first payment. The employer didn't even respond to Washington ESD's inquiry.

That's good to hear. They never accused me of anything like stealing or being insubordinate. It was just vague 'performance' stuff.

I got fired for performance issues too and still got approved for UI benefits. Took about 3 weeks for them to decide though.

That's a relief! I was never written up formally, just verbal warnings. Should I mention the reasons I was late when I file my claim?

Definitely mention the circumstances. Keep documentation of your car repairs, doctor notes for your child, anything that shows the tardiness was due to circumstances beyond your control.

I've never heard of that service. Is it legit?

Yeah it's legitimate. It just helps you get through the phone queue faster so you can talk to an actual Washington ESD representative about your specific situation.

Anything that helps avoid sitting on hold for hours sounds good to me.

How long does the adjudication process usually take? I need to know if I should start looking for temporary work.

It varies but typically 2-4 weeks. You should keep filing your weekly claims even during adjudication though, or you'll lose those weeks if you get approved.

Did your employer try to fight your claim? I'm worried they might contest it.

They did contest it initially, but since I had no documented disciplinary actions, Washington ESD sided with me. Having no write-ups really helped my case.

Should I mention the part about questioning my supervisor's decisions?

Be factual but don't elaborate unnecessarily. Stick to what your employer told you was the reason for termination.

Good point, I'll file today. How long does it usually take to get a decision?

Usually 2-3 weeks for initial processing, but if your employer contests it, it could go to adjudication which takes longer.

That gives me hope! Did your employer fight the claim?

They did initially, but once I provided medical records and showed I had tried to work with them on scheduling, Washington ESD ruled in my favor.

Documentation is everything with these cases. Save texts, emails, anything showing you communicated about the issues.

I understand the frustration, but there has to be some system to prevent people from getting fired on purpose just to collect benefits.

i guess that makes sense but it still sucks when you're the one dealing with it

Do I need pay stubs or will they get that information from my employer?

They'll get wage information directly from employers, but having your own records helps if there are any discrepancies.

Good job filing quickly! That's the most important step.

Keep checking your account for any requests for additional information. Respond quickly to anything Washington ESD sends you.

Interesting, I'll check that out if I run into issues. Have you used it yourself?

Yeah, used it twice when my claim got stuck in adjudication. Much better than spending whole days trying to get through the regular phone lines.

How much does something like that cost though?

It's worth it compared to missing work to call during business hours repeatedly. The peace of mind alone was valuable to me.

That's exactly what happened - no progressive discipline, just straight to firing. Seems like they might have jumped the gun.

Document everything you can remember about the conversations with your manager. Dates, what was said, witnesses if any. This will help if it goes to a hearing.

Is this a paid service? I'm already tight on money after losing my job.

Yes it costs something but it was worth it to get through immediately instead of calling for days. They connect you directly to a Washington ESD agent who can explain your specific situation.

Never heard of this but might be worth looking into. I've been trying to reach Washington ESD for weeks about my claim.

The rules are actually pretty clear - it's just that every situation is different. That's why they review each case individually.

i guess but still frustrating when you dont know if youll have money coming in

What kind of evidence did you present at your hearing?

I brought email correspondence, my employee handbook, and witness statements from coworkers who saw what happened.

Documentation is key in these situations. Keep records of everything.

That's exactly why I mentioned Claimyr earlier. It eliminates the phone line frustration at least.

Yeah I might look into that if I ever need to deal with Washington ESD again.

That makes sense. I was never accused of anything dishonest or breaking rules, just that my work wasn't up to their standards.

Exactly. I got fired for missing deadlines but still got approved because it wasn't willful misconduct.

I'll file today then. Better to try and get denied than not try at all.

Smart thinking. And remember to keep records of your job search activities because you'll need to report them on your weekly claims.

Thanks for the specifics! I have all that information ready. Should I file over the weekend or wait for a weekday?

File whenever you want - the online system is available 24/7. Just remember your effective date starts the week you file, so don't delay.

I figured they might. What happens if they contest it?

Washington ESD will investigate both sides and make a determination. If either party disagrees with that decision, it can go to an administrative law judge for a hearing.

The hearings aren't as scary as they sound. It's just a phone call usually, and you get to tell your side of the story.

What was different about the two situations?

First employer made up a bunch of stuff about misconduct. Second employer just said it was due to business needs and didn't contest my claim.

Thanks, that's reassuring. I've been so worried about how I'm going to pay rent next month.

I feel you - been there myself. The stress is real but UI benefits really help bridge the gap.

Good point. I'll just tell them exactly what my supervisor told me when they let me go.

Perfect. That way there's no discrepancy between your story and what your employer reports.

How does the appeal process work? Is it like going to court?

It's more informal than court but you do get a hearing where you can present evidence and witnesses. You can represent yourself or have someone help you.

I won my appeal after being initially denied. The hearing was over the phone and took about 30 minutes.

That's what I was thinking too. I had good performance reviews overall, just these attendance issues at the end.

Keep copies of those performance reviews! Anything showing you were otherwise a good employee will help your case.

How many jobs do I need to apply for each week?

You need to make at least 3 job search contacts per week and keep a log of your activities.

And register with WorkSource Washington - that's a requirement too.

My employer hasn't tried to claim I quit, but good to know that happens.

Some employers will try anything to avoid paying higher unemployment taxes.

Wow, even in your situation they approved it? That's surprising but good to know.

Yeah, the key was proving my employer didn't follow their own handbook. Check your employee handbook and see if they followed proper procedures.

Absolutely, I plan to be totally honest about everything. Better to be upfront from the start.

Good attitude. Honesty really is the best policy with these claims. They've heard every story before anyway.

You're right, I've been feeling guilty about it but I paid into the system for years.

Exactly! You earned those benefits through payroll deductions. It's your money.

A month?? I was hoping it would be faster than that.

It varies a lot depending on their workload and whether your employer responds quickly to their requests for information.

How much does something like that cost?

It's worth it just for the time you save. Much better than spending your whole day trying to get through on your own.

So even if everything goes smoothly, I won't see money for at least a week after approval?

Correct. The waiting week is standard for all new claims in Washington.

How many job applications do I need to submit each week?

It varies but typically 3 work search activities per week. This can include applications, networking, job fairs, etc. Keep detailed records of everything you do.

Several people have mentioned that now. Might be worth looking into if I run into roadblocks.

The phone system at Washington ESD is honestly pretty terrible during busy times. Having an alternative way to reach them is really helpful.

Thanks for the encouragement. I definitely need the support right now - this whole situation has been really stressful.

I get it, being fired is rough even when it's not your fault. But you worked and paid into the system, so don't feel bad about claiming benefits you've earned.

How many jobs do I need to apply for each week?

It depends on your occupation and local job market, but typically 3-5 applications per week. Check the Washington ESD website for specific requirements.

I wish I had thought of that right away. I'll write down what I remember now.

Better late than never. Those details could be important if there's a hearing.

Thanks, that's encouraging to hear.

Definitely - stay positive and keep following up on your claim status.

I figured the sooner I filed, the sooner I'd know where I stand.

Exactly the right approach. Now you just have to wait for Washington ESD to do their part.

Will do! Thanks everyone for all the advice and support.

Hope it works out quickly for you. Remember that Claimyr option if you need to reach an agent for any reason.

Good to know the realistic timeframes. I'll need to budget carefully until the benefits start.

Yeah, there's usually a waiting week too, so your first payment covers your second week of unemployment. Plan accordingly.

When do the weekly claims need to be filed?

You can file starting Sunday for the previous week, and they're due by Saturday. Set a recurring reminder on your phone so you don't forget.

I missed one week early on and it was a nightmare to get back on track. Definitely don't skip filing weekly claims.

That seems to be the consensus here. I feel much more confident about filing now. Thanks everyone for all the helpful advice!

Good luck! Come back and update us on how it goes. Your experience might help the next person in a similar situation.

That sounds helpful. I might need to use that if I have questions about my claim.

Same here, couldn't get through to ESD for days but Claimyr connected me within minutes.

That's good to know. I was making decent money so hopefully the benefit amount will be reasonable.

Your weekly benefit amount is based on your highest earning quarter, so it should be a decent percentage of your previous wages.

They didn't say anything about unemployment when they fired me, but I was too shocked to think about it at the time.

That's normal - getting fired is overwhelming. Just focus on filing your claim now and let the process work.

Is the online system easy to use? I'm not super tech-savvy.

It's pretty straightforward. Just have your employment history and Social Security number ready. Takes about 20-30 minutes.

Thanks everyone for all the advice. I feel much more confident about filing now.

You're welcome! Keep us updated on how it goes.