If you got fired can you get unemployment benefits in Washington?

Yes, you can potentially get unemployment benefits even if you were fired, but it depends on the reason. Washington ESD looks at whether you were terminated for 'misconduct' or just poor performance. Performance issues usually don't disqualify you, but things like stealing, violence, or repeatedly violating company policies could. You should definitely apply and let Washington ESD make the determination.

The key distinction Washington ESD makes is between being fired for misconduct versus being fired for other reasons. If you were terminated due to inability to do the job, lack of skills, or general performance issues (not willful misconduct), you should still qualify for UI benefits. However, if you were fired for things like theft, insubordination, or violating safety rules, that would be considered misconduct and could disqualify you.

I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago. Got fired from my warehouse job for 'productivity issues' and was stressed about applying for unemployment. Ended up calling Washington ESD multiple times trying to get through to someone to ask about my situation. The phone system was a nightmare - kept getting disconnected or put on hold forever. Finally found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get through to an actual person at Washington ESD. They have a video demo showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ. The agent confirmed I was eligible since it wasn't misconduct, just performance.

YOU NEED TO APPLY IMMEDIATELY! Don't wait around wondering if you qualify - that's Washington ESD's job to determine. The longer you wait, the more money you're potentially losing. Even if there's some question about your eligibility, it's better to apply and get denied than to not apply at all. The worst they can say is no, but you might be surprised.

When you apply, be honest about the circumstances of your termination. Washington ESD will contact your former employer to get their side of the story anyway. If there's a discrepancy between what you report and what your employer reports, it could cause delays in processing your claim or even lead to issues down the road.

I got fired from my last job too and was so worried about applying for unemployment. Turned out to be way easier than I thought. Just be honest on the application about why you were terminated and let Washington ESD make the call. In Washington, they're pretty reasonable about the difference between getting fired for cause versus just not being a good fit.

Make sure you apply online through the Washington ESD website as soon as possible. You can backdate your claim to the week you were terminated, but you need to apply within a reasonable timeframe. Don't let anxiety about eligibility prevent you from getting the help you need.

Been there! Got canned from a customer service job for not meeting call quotas. Was terrified to apply for unemployment but my friend convinced me to do it anyway. Washington ESD approved my claim without any issues. Performance problems are very different from misconduct in their eyes. The hardest part was actually getting someone on the phone when I had questions about my claim status.

Just to clarify some misconceptions I'm seeing - Washington ESD doesn't automatically approve everyone who gets fired for performance issues. They do investigate each case. However, generally speaking, if you were terminated due to inability to perform the job adequately (rather than willful misconduct), you should qualify. The employer has the burden of proving misconduct occurred.

definitely apply! i got fired from my restaurant job for dropping too many plates and being slow and still got unemployment. performance stuff usually doesn't disqualify you unless it was really bad or you were doing it on purpose

Look, the Washington ESD system is designed to help people who lose their jobs through no fault of their own. Being fired for performance issues usually falls into that category. Don't let fear keep you from applying for benefits you're probably entitled to. The worst case scenario is they say no, but at least you'll know for sure.

When I got fired, I was so embarrassed I almost didn't apply for unemployment. My sister had to practically drag me to do it. Best decision I made during that difficult time. The benefits gave me breathing room to find a better job instead of taking the first thing that came along out of desperation.

Has anyone else had trouble reaching Washington ESD by phone lately? I've been trying to call about my claim for weeks and either get disconnected or wait on hold for hours. It's incredibly frustrating when you have questions about your eligibility or claim status.

The important thing to remember is that unemployment insurance exists specifically for situations like yours. You paid into this system while you were working, so you've earned the right to use it when you need it. Don't feel guilty about applying - it's literally what the program is for.

Pro tip: when you're filling out the application, be specific about the circumstances of your termination. Instead of just saying 'performance issues,' explain what specific performance metrics you weren't meeting and emphasize that you were trying your best. This helps Washington ESD understand it wasn't willful misconduct.

Don't stress too much about this. Washington state is generally pretty fair about unemployment claims. As long as you weren't fired for gross misconduct, you'll probably qualify. The key is to apply promptly and be honest about what happened.

I want to echo what others have said about applying right away. Even if your claim ends up going to adjudication (which sometimes happens with job separations), it's better to get the process started sooner rather than later. Adjudication can take a few weeks, so the earlier you apply, the earlier you'll get a decision.

One more thing - make sure you start looking for work right away and keep track of your job search activities. Washington ESD requires you to be actively seeking employment to maintain your benefits. You'll need to log your job search efforts when you file your weekly claims.

Someone mentioned Claimyr earlier and I can confirm it's legit. Used it myself when I couldn't get through to Washington ESD about an issue with my weekly claim. Much easier than spending hours on hold or getting disconnected. Sometimes you just need to talk to an actual person to get your questions answered.

Bottom line: getting fired for performance issues is not the same as getting fired for misconduct. You should absolutely apply for unemployment benefits. The worst thing that can happen is they deny your claim, but based on what you've described, that seems unlikely.