Washington ESD unemployment benefits after being fired - am I eligible?

That's really helpful to know. They never said I violated any policies, just that my productivity wasn't meeting expectations. Should I mention this when I file my claim?

Absolutely mention it in your application. Be honest about the reason for termination but explain your side of the story. Washington ESD will investigate both sides.

That's a relief! I was definitely not doing anything on purpose to hurt the company. How do I prove it wasn't misconduct though?

Washington ESD will investigate by contacting your employer. They'll ask for documentation about why you were fired. If your employer can't prove misconduct, you'll likely get approved.

This is exactly what happened to me! I got fired for not meeting sales quotas but Washington ESD approved my claim because it wasn't misconduct.

So complaining about safety issues definitely wouldn't be misconduct right? That seems like the responsible thing to do.

How long did it take to get approved? I'm worried about paying my bills while I wait for a decision.

Mine took about 3 weeks because they had to do an investigation. During that time my claim was in adjudication status on the Washington ESD website.

If you're having trouble getting through to Washington ESD to check on your claim status, I found this service called Claimyr that helps you actually reach an agent. They have a website at claimyr.com and there's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works. Saved me hours of calling.

How much does something like that cost? I'm already stressed about money.

It was worth it for me to get answers quickly instead of calling for days. The peace of mind was huge when I was worried about my eligibility.

I didn't get any formal warnings, just verbal feedback about productivity. Is that going to hurt my case?

Actually that might help you. If they didn't follow progressive discipline policies, it shows they weren't giving you a fair chance to improve.

Definitely planning to be honest. I'm just nervous about how to word it properly.

Just state the facts plainly. Something like 'terminated for performance issues' and then explain your perspective in the additional comments section.

What exactly counts as misconduct though? I keep seeing different definitions online.

Generally it's things like theft, violence, deliberately breaking rules, excessive unexcused absences, or insubordination. Poor performance alone usually doesn't qualify as misconduct.

None of those apply to my situation, so that makes me feel better about my chances.

Chronic tardiness can actually be considered misconduct if you were warned about it repeatedly. But it sounds like you eventually got approved?

yeah finally but it took forever and I almost lost my apartment waiting for the decision

It varies, but typically 2-4 weeks for the initial determination. If your employer contests it, there might be an adjudication process that can take longer.

Mine took 6 weeks! But I got backpay for the whole time once it was approved.

I was planning to file tomorrow. Is there a waiting period before benefits start?

There's usually a one-week waiting period, but your claim date starts from when you file, not when it's approved.

Good point, I'll file today. Better safe than sorry.

Exactly! And document everything about why you were fired in case you need it for the claim review.

That's probably adjudication - they're investigating your separation from work. You might want to try calling Washington ESD to check the status. I used Claimyr when I couldn't get through on my own and it actually worked.

Is that some kind of calling service? I've been trying to reach them for days with no luck.

Yeah, it helps you get through to an actual person at Washington ESD. Way better than sitting on hold for hours. Check out claimyr.com if you're interested.

How many job contacts do you need per week in Washington?

It's typically 3 job search activities per week, but check your specific requirements when you file your weekly claim.

I hadn't thought about that angle. Should I mention the safety complaints when I file my Washington ESD claim?

Definitely mention it. It shows you were acting in good faith and not engaging in any misconduct.

How many jobs do I need to apply for each week?

I think it's 3 job search activities per week, but check the Washington ESD website for the exact requirements. They can be applications, networking, interviews, etc.

That gives me hope! Did you have to do anything special during the investigation?

Just answered their questions honestly and provided my side of the story. I also kept records of my performance reviews which helped show it wasn't misconduct.

That's generally true, but there are other types of misconduct beyond just theft or violence. However, performance issues usually don't qualify as misconduct.

How exactly does that service work? Do they just call for you?

They have a system that gets you connected to an actual Washington ESD agent without all the waiting and busy signals. Check out their demo video to see how it works.

Yeah I'm expecting it won't be close to my full salary, but I need something to cover basic expenses while I look for work.

Good to know! Hopefully it won't come to that, but I'll keep it in mind if needed.

The appeal process saved me when I was initially denied. Sometimes the first review doesn't get all the facts straight.

Medical issues are usually treated differently than performance problems. Glad it worked out for you.

I have my termination letter and some emails about the safety issues I reported. Should I submit those with my claim?

Hold onto them for now. Washington ESD will ask for documentation if they need it during their review process.

That's reassuring. I was really worried I'd be automatically disqualified just for being fired.

Can you file weekly claims before your initial claim is approved?

Yes, you should file weekly claims starting the week after you become unemployed, even if your claim is still pending.

I've had luck calling right at 8am when they open. Still takes a while but better than other times of day.

That's what I used to do before I found Claimyr. The service is just so much more reliable than trying to time the calls yourself.

Good luck! Feel free to ask if you run into any issues with the process.

You're doing the right thing by filing quickly. Most cases like yours get approved without too much trouble.

I'll definitely look into those requirements. Better to know upfront than get caught off guard later.

Exactly. The WorkSourceWA website has good resources for understanding what counts as valid job search activities.

That gives me hope. Did you have to go through an appeal process or anything?

nope, they approved me after the initial investigation. took about a month total though which was stressful

Can employers really appeal after I'm already approved? That seems unfair.

Yes, they have the right to appeal within 30 days. But like I said, you keep getting benefits during the appeal process as long as you continue to meet all other requirements.

At least you got approved! That's a good sign. How long did the whole process take?

About 3 weeks from filing to getting my first payment. The hardest part was getting through to Washington ESD when I had questions about my claim status.

That's exactly why I started using Claimyr - couldn't deal with the busy signals and long hold times anymore. Made the whole process so much less stressful.

I have my last performance review from 6 months ago and it was actually pretty positive. Should I mention that in my application?

Definitely keep that handy in case you need it, but don't overwhelm your initial application with too much detail. Save the supporting docs for if there's an investigation.

That makes sense. I was definitely trying my best, just couldn't keep up with their unrealistic productivity targets.

Sounds like a clear case for unemployment benefits then. Just be honest in your application and you should be fine.

That's longer than usual. You should definitely try to contact them to see what's causing the delay. Sometimes they need additional information but don't communicate that clearly.

ive been trying to call but cant get through. might have to try that claimyr thing someone mentioned earlier

It really does work - I was skeptical at first but it got me connected to an actual person at Washington ESD within a few minutes instead of hours of busy signals.

Good point, I hadn't thought about taxes yet. Can you set up the withholding when you file the initial claim?

Yes, there should be an option in your application or you can change it later through your online account.

My supervisor didn't say anything about unemployment, but HR made some comment about 'termination for cause' which worried me.

That's just corporate speak. Washington ESD makes their own determination based on the actual facts, not what your employer calls it.

What kind of questions did they ask you during the investigation?

Basic stuff - why I thought I was terminated, whether I received warnings, if I understood the job expectations, things like that. Just be honest and straightforward.

Thanks for the encouragement! I'm feeling much more confident about filing now after reading everyone's responses.

That's great to hear. The process can be stressful but most people who are genuinely eligible end up getting approved. Just stay persistent and honest throughout.