Terminated from job can I get unemployment benefits through Washington ESD?

Thank you! Should I mention the safety concerns I raised when I file my claim? I documented some of the issues I brought up to management.

Absolutely include that information. If you were terminated for raising legitimate safety concerns, that could actually work in your favor. Keep all your documentation handy.

That's reassuring to hear. How long did the whole process take for you?

About 3 weeks from when I filed until I got my first payment. There was some back and forth during adjudication but it worked out.

Interesting, never heard of that service before. Does it actually work or is it just another scam?

It's legitimate. I was skeptical too but it actually connected me to a Washington ESD agent within 10 minutes. Way better than sitting on hold for hours.

Definitely planning to be completely honest. Better to potentially get denied than to get in trouble for lying.

This is so important. I know someone who lied about their termination and got caught. Had to pay back thousands.

Already started the online application. It's asking for a lot of details about my employment history.

Yeah it's pretty thorough. Make sure you have your pay stubs and employment dates ready. You'll need all that info.

That's not really helpful. While the system can be frustrating, most legitimate claims do get approved eventually.

Easy for you to say. Some of us have been through the wringer with Washington ESD multiple times.

They said I was too slow picking orders and made too many mistakes. But I think it was really about me questioning why we weren't following proper lifting procedures.

That sounds like retaliation for raising safety concerns. Definitely mention that in your claim. Washington ESD takes workplace safety seriously.

How long have you been waiting? I'm worried about how long this whole process might take.

Filed 2 weeks ago and still nothing. I've been trying to call Washington ESD but can never get through to anyone.

That's exactly why I mentioned Claimyr earlier. They can get you connected to speak with someone about your adjudication status instead of waiting indefinitely.

Good point! I wasn't sure if I should file weekly claims before getting approved. Thanks for clarifying that.

Yeah this is crucial. I learned this the hard way and lost 3 weeks of benefits because I didn't file weekly claims right away.

I've been writing down everything I can remember. Should I reach out to any of my former coworkers who witnessed the safety issues I raised?

If they're willing to provide statements or testimony, that could be very helpful. Just be careful about putting them in an awkward position with their current employer.

6 weeks seems excessive even for Washington ESD. Has your friend tried calling to check on the status?

shes tried calling like 50 times and either gets busy signal or gets disconnected after waiting on hold forever

That's really helpful to know from someone in HR. It makes me feel more optimistic about my chances.

What about if someone gets fired for violating company policy? Does that automatically count as misconduct?

Not automatically. It depends on the policy and whether the violation was intentional and work-related. Each case is evaluated individually.

4 weeks feels like forever when you have bills to pay, but I'm glad it worked out for you. Did Washington ESD contact your employer during the investigation?

Yes, they did a fact-finding interview with both me and my former employer. Just be honest and provide any documentation you have.

I used it last month when I couldn't get through their regular phone lines. It actually worked - got connected to an agent in about 15 minutes. Worth trying if you're stuck.

How much does it cost? I'm already stressed about money and don't want to pay for something that might not work.

I'd rather not discuss specific costs in the forum, but it was reasonable considering how much time it saved me. Check their website for current pricing.

I hadn't thought about whistleblower protections. Should I mention that specifically when talking to Washington ESD?

Definitely. If you were retaliated against for raising legitimate safety concerns, that's not misconduct on your part - it's misconduct by your employer.

You're absolutely right. I've already started the application process and I'm feeling more confident after reading everyone's responses.

Exactly! And even if you get denied initially, the appeals process gives you another chance to present your case.

Good reminder. I've been applying to jobs already but I should start keeping better records of my job search activities.

WorkSourceWA is helpful for tracking your job search activities. You can log everything there and it integrates with your weekly claims.

That's amazing news! Congratulations! This gives me hope for my own situation.

Were you terminated for performance issues too? What made the difference in your case?

Similar situation - performance related termination. I think what helped was being completely honest and providing detailed documentation about what happened.