Washington ESD unemployment after getting fired - how does this work?

You can definitely apply for unemployment even if you were fired. Washington ESD will review your case to determine if the termination was for 'misconduct' or not. Performance issues usually don't count as misconduct unless it was willful negligence. File your claim online at esd.wa.gov as soon as possible.

The key thing is whether Washington ESD considers it 'misconduct in connection with work.' Simple poor performance or not being a good fit usually doesn't qualify as misconduct. Things like theft, insubordination, or violating company policies would be misconduct.

I got fired 3 months ago for attendance issues and still got approved for UI benefits. Washington ESD really looks at whether you were deliberately doing something wrong. Missing work due to transportation problems or childcare issues isn't usually considered misconduct.

One thing to be prepared for - if your employer contests your claim, it might go to adjudication. That's when Washington ESD investigates further and it can take weeks to resolve. I had to wait almost a month for my decision.

ugh the whole system is so frustrating!! i got fired for being 10 minutes late too many times and they made me wait 6 weeks before approving my claim. meanwhile bills are piling up and nobody at ESD answers the phone

Make sure you apply within the first week after your termination. You can backdate your claim but it's easier if you file right away. Also, you'll need to do weekly claims and job searches once you're approved.

Document everything about your termination while it's fresh in your memory. Write down dates, who was present, what was said. If Washington ESD needs to investigate, having detailed records helps your case.

Been there! Got fired from my retail job for 'customer service issues' but really the manager just didn't like me. Washington ESD approved my claim after about 3 weeks. The employer didn't even contest it.

Remember that even if your initial claim gets denied, you can appeal the decision. You have 30 days to file an appeal and request a hearing. Don't give up if the first decision doesn't go your way.

If you need to reach Washington ESD and can't get through on the phone, I had success using Claimyr. It's a service that calls ESD for you and gets you connected to an agent. Saved me hours of calling.

One more tip - when you file your weekly claims, be honest about any work you do or money you earn. Even small amounts need to be reported. Washington ESD can find out anyway and it's not worth risking an overpayment issue.

don't stress too much about it, most people who get fired for performance stuff get approved eventually. the system is designed to help people who lose their jobs through no fault of their own

just make sure you keep calling if you don't hear anything after 3 weeks. squeaky wheel gets the grease with Washington ESD unfortunately

Bottom line - being fired doesn't automatically disqualify you from unemployment. Washington ESD looks at the specific circumstances and reasons. Performance issues and personality conflicts usually don't count as misconduct.

same thing happened to my brother last year - fired for 'not meeting expectations' but got approved for benefits. washington esd was pretty reasonable about it

Quick reminder - make sure your contact information is up to date in your Washington ESD account. They need to be able to reach you for any interviews or additional information requests.

Last thing - if you do end up needing to call Washington ESD multiple times and getting frustrated with the phone system, definitely check out that Claimyr service. Made a huge difference in my experience getting help.

Good luck with your claim! Remember to file your weekly claims on time once you're approved and keep looking for work. The job search requirement is important to maintain eligibility.

hope everything works out! getting fired sucks but at least washington has decent unemployment benefits compared to some states

One final tip - if your claim gets approved, the first payment might take a week or two after your first weekly claim. Don't panic if it doesn't show up immediately.