Washington ESD unemployment after termination - can I still qualify?

Yes, you can potentially qualify for unemployment benefits even if you were terminated. Washington ESD will review your case to determine if the termination was for 'misconduct.' Performance issues usually don't count as misconduct unless it was willful or intentional. You should definitely file your claim right away - don't wait.

I was in a similar situation last year. Got fired for supposedly being late too many times but I had doctor's appointments for a medical condition. Filed for unemployment anyway and after the adjudication process, I was approved. The key is that it wasn't willful misconduct.

The distinction Washington ESD makes is between misconduct and poor performance. Misconduct involves deliberate wrongdoing like theft, harassment, or willful violation of company policies. Poor job performance, attendance issues due to illness, or honest mistakes typically don't qualify as misconduct. File your claim immediately - you have nothing to lose.

DEFINITELY file your claim! The worst they can say is no, but you might be surprised. I got fired from a retail job for 'customer service issues' and still got approved for unemployment. The employer has to prove it was misconduct, not just poor performance.

You can definitely file for unemployment benefits even after being terminated. Washington ESD doesn't automatically disqualify you just because you were fired. What matters is WHY you were terminated. If it was for misconduct connected to your work, that's different than performance issues. File your claim online at esd.wa.gov and let them make the determination.

Same thing happened to me 6 months ago. Got fired for 'attendance issues' but I had medical documentation for everything. Filed anyway and got approved after adjudication. Washington ESD looks at each case individually.

I'm going through this exact same thing right now! Got terminated 3 weeks ago and filed my claim. Washington ESD sent me a questionnaire about the circumstances of my termination, and I just answered honestly about everything. Still waiting to hear back but at least I'm filing my weekly claims.

Wait, I'm confused about something. If I file for unemployment after being terminated, won't that hurt my chances of getting hired somewhere else? Like if employers see I collected unemployment?

File your claim TODAY. Washington ESD has a one-week waiting period, so the sooner you file, the sooner you can start receiving benefits if approved. Even if you think you might not qualify, let them make that determination.

The key is whether it was misconduct or not. Performance issues usually don't qualify as misconduct unless you were willfully not doing your job. Washington ESD defines misconduct pretty specifically - it has to be a deliberate violation of company policy or gross negligence.

I've been dealing with Washington ESD for months on a different issue and honestly their phone system is impossible. If you need to talk to someone about your case, I recently found out about this service called Claimyr that actually gets you through to an agent. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows exactly how it works. Made my life so much easier.

My brother got fired for being late and still got unemployment. The employer tried to fight it but Washington ESD sided with my brother because he had a good reason (car trouble) and it wasn't a pattern of willful misconduct.

Everyone's saying file your claim but what if your employer lies about why they fired you? Mine said I was terminated for cause but it was really because they wanted to hire their friend.

File ASAP! There's a one week waiting period in Washington so the sooner you file the better. Even if your employer contests it, you can still receive benefits while the adjudication is pending if Washington ESD makes an initial determination in your favor.

Just want to echo what everyone else is saying - FILE YOUR CLAIM! I was fired from my last job and was so embarrassed I almost didn't apply for unemployment. Biggest mistake would have been not filing. Got approved after about a month and it saved my finances.

Pro tip: when you file your claim, be very detailed about your job search efforts. Washington ESD requires you to look for work and keep a log. Don't slack on that part even while your claim is in adjudication.

One thing I learned the hard way - if Washington ESD denies your initial claim, you can appeal the decision. Don't just give up if you get a denial letter. The appeal process exists for a reason.

I had a friend who got fired and didn't file for unemployment because she thought she wouldn't qualify. Turns out she probably would have been approved. Don't make assumptions - let Washington ESD make the determination.

Has anyone used that Claimyr service that was mentioned earlier? I'm having a hell of a time getting through to Washington ESD and I need to ask about my adjudication status.

Update from someone who was in your exact situation: filed after being terminated for performance, went through adjudication, got approved. The whole process took about 5 weeks but I got paid for all the weeks I was waiting. Definitely worth filing.

been thru this before and its a pain in the ass. they make u jump thru hoops to prove u werent fired for misconduct. my advice is document everything u can remember about what happened and any witnesses

Performance issues vs misconduct is huge. I work in HR and see this all the time. If you were genuinely trying to do your job but struggling with performance standards, that's usually not disqualifying. Misconduct is more like theft, harassment, or willful violation of policies.

File online at secure.esd.wa.gov but be prepared for the website to be slow or crash. Washington ESD's systems are ancient. Make sure you have all your employment info ready including dates and wages.

Washington state is pretty worker-friendly compared to other states. The bar for misconduct is actually pretty high. Being bad at your job isn't the same as misconduct. As long as you weren't stealing or being insubordinate, you've got a decent shot.

If they contest your claim don't panic. I used that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier to talk to an Washington ESD agent about my contested claim. Way better than trying to get through on your own. The agent explained exactly what documentation I needed for my hearing.

DOCUMENT EVERYTHING! I cannot stress this enough. Write down dates, times, who said what, any witnesses. If this goes to adjudication or hearing you'll need details. Washington ESD adjudicators want facts not feelings.

Performance terminations usually qualify for UI benefits in Washington. The employer has to prove you were willfully not doing your job or violated clear policies. Struggling to meet new quotas isn't willful misconduct.

just file already! worst case they say no and you appeal. i got fired for 'attitude problems' which was bs and still got benefits after appeal. washington esd isnt as harsh as people think

Make sure you understand the job search requirements too. Even if your claim gets approved, you'll need to do 3 job search activities per week and register with WorkSource. Start keeping a log of applications and interviews.

Had a similar experience and my claim went to adjudication. Took forever to get through to Washington ESD to check status. Finally used Claimyr and got connected immediately. The agent was able to tell me exactly where my case stood and what to expect next. Definitely recommend if you need to actually talk to someone there.

Quick tip - when you file make sure your reason for separation is accurate. Don't say you quit if you were fired, even if it was unfair. Washington ESD will verify with your employer and inconsistencies just slow things down.

File today if possible. The waiting week starts from when you file, not when you were terminated. Every day you wait is money you're losing. Washington ESD processes claims pretty quickly if there are no complications.