Washington ESD unemployment after being fired - how can you get benefits approved?

That's good to know! They never gave me any formal warnings, just said my numbers weren't where they wanted them. Should I file right away or wait?

File immediately! You want to get your claim started as soon as possible. The worst thing that happens is they investigate and you have to provide your side of the story.

Oh no, how long has your case been in review? I'm worried about how I'll pay rent if this drags on.

its been in adjudication for like 8 weeks now. i keep calling but can never get through to anyone at washington esd to check on it

This is really helpful. They said 'performance' but never documented anything or gave me a chance to improve. Should I mention that in my application?

Absolutely mention the lack of documentation or progressive discipline. That strengthens your case that it wasn't misconduct but rather a business decision on their part.

wait really? you actually got through to someone? ive been trying for months

Yeah, it was amazing. I was skeptical at first but they actually called me back when they got an agent on the line. Way better than sitting on hold for hours.

I might need to try this if my claim gets complicated. Thanks for sharing!

While the system has flaws, the statistics don't support that claim. Many people do receive benefits after being terminated. The key is understanding what constitutes misconduct under Washington law.

Maybe you're right but my experience was horrible. Took 6 months and a hearing before I got any money.

If you can prove you were constructively discharged - meaning the working conditions became so intolerable that any reasonable person would quit - you can still qualify. Document everything!

That's interesting. In my case they definitely fired me, but good to know for others.

How long does adjudication usually take? I keep seeing horror stories about people waiting months.

It varies, but typically 3-6 weeks if there are no complications. The backlog has gotten better since the pandemic era but complex cases still take longer.

That gives me hope! Did you have to go to a hearing or anything?

nah they approved it after the initial investigation. my former supervisor didn't even respond to washington esd when they asked for details

Good reminder. I should start applying places immediately then, not wait for the claim to be approved.

Exactly. Plus it shows good faith effort if there are any questions about your claim later.

I wish I had thought to save more emails before they cut off my access. I do have some text messages from coworkers about the situation though.

Those text messages could be valuable evidence. Screenshot them and save them somewhere safe in case you need them for an appeal.

Chronic tardiness can be considered misconduct, but it depends on whether the employee made reasonable efforts to address the issue and if the employer followed progressive discipline policies.

My friend never got written warnings, just verbal ones. Does that help their case?

ok you convinced me, im going to try them. this is ridiculous that we have to pay someone else just to talk to washington esd though

I hear you on that, but honestly it was worth it for my peace of mind. Way less stressful than the endless busy signals.

That sucks but good to know. My situation was just performance so hopefully different.

Drug test failures are indeed typically considered misconduct connected with work, even for legal substances if company policy prohibited them.

While it can be frustrating, many people do successfully receive benefits. The key is understanding the process and being prepared with documentation.

Maybe for some people but they made me jump through hoops for months before finally approving my claim.

There's no waiting week in Washington. You can claim benefits starting the week you file your application, as long as you're approved.

ok cool thats what i thought but wanted to make sure

That's encouraging! It sounds like Washington ESD does actually investigate fairly when they have all the facts.

Yeah they do seem to look at both sides, but you have to make sure your side gets heard clearly.

Good point. My boss did mention something about how firing me was 'better for everyone' than layoffs. Makes sense now.

exactly! they dont want their rates to go up so they try to discourage people from filing

How detailed should I be in that questionnaire? Should I write pages or keep it concise?

Be thorough but organized. Cover the key facts clearly and include any supporting documentation. They need enough information to make an informed decision.

Several people have mentioned them now. I'll definitely keep that in mind if I run into issues getting through to Washington ESD.

yeah seems like more people are finding out about it. beats sitting on hold for hours

Thanks everyone for all the advice! I'm going to file my claim today and see what happens. Feeling much more confident about the process now.

Good luck! Remember that getting fired doesn't automatically disqualify you, especially if it was for performance reasons rather than misconduct.