Washington ESD unemployment benefits if I am fired - what are my options?

What exactly counts as misconduct? I haven't stolen anything or been insubordinate, just not meeting their expectations.

Misconduct usually means willful violations of company policy, theft, harassment, or deliberately ignoring instructions. Poor performance alone typically doesn't count as misconduct unless you were refusing to try or improve.

That's encouraging! How long did the adjudication take? I'm really anxious about the whole process.

About 3 weeks for me. They had to contact my former employer to get their side of the story before making a decision.

Should I wait until I'm actually fired or can I file right after it happens?

File immediately after your last day of work. Don't wait - there's a one-week waiting period anyway, so the sooner you file, the sooner you might start receiving benefits.

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

It's worth checking out their site for details. For me, the peace of mind of actually talking to someone at Washington ESD was valuable when I was stressed about my claim.

While the system can be frustrating, it's actually designed to help people who lose their jobs through no fault of their own. The key is understanding the rules and presenting your case clearly.

Easy for you to say. Try dealing with it when you're already stressed about losing your job and income!

Did you get approved when you were fired?

yeah took a while but they approved it, wasn't misconduct just couldn't do the job right

Should I gather any documentation before I file? I have some emails showing I was trying to improve.

Yes, keep any documentation that shows you were making an effort to improve or that the issues were related to ability rather than attitude. Performance improvement plans, training records, or emails showing you were trying can help.

That's both reassuring and terrifying at the same time. I guess I just have to file and hope for the best.

That's really all you can do. Make sure you continue filing your weekly claims even if your initial claim is under review. Don't give up on the process.

What if my employer tries to make it sound worse than it was? I'm worried they'll exaggerate to avoid paying higher unemployment taxes.

You'll have a chance to respond to anything your employer says during the fact-finding process. Washington ESD will consider both sides before making a decision.

How long do you have to appeal if they deny the claim?

You have 30 days from the date of the determination to file an appeal. Don't wait if you disagree with their decision - use all the time you have to prepare your case.

It's such a stressful situation, isn't it? I hope things work out for both of us.

Definitely stressful. At least now I know I should file for unemployment right away if it happens. Thanks for asking this question!

I might need to look into that if I can't get through to them myself. Thanks for the recommendation.

I've heard good things about services like that. Sometimes you just need to talk to a real person to understand your options.

You're right, I'm probably overthinking this whole thing.

yeah happens to everyone when they're stressed about money and jobs

This is really helpful. I feel a bit more confident about the process now. Thank you everyone for the advice!

You're welcome. Remember that Washington ESD wants to help people who are unemployed through no fault of their own. Poor performance usually fits that category.

That's exactly why I used Claimyr - saved me hours of frustration trying to get through to Washington ESD. Sometimes you need help navigating the system.

Fair point. I probably should have looked into something like that instead of wasting so much time on hold.

Good point. I should probably update my resume and start looking at job postings this weekend.

Exactly. Plus, you never know - you might find something before your unemployment benefits even start.

A few weeks feels like forever when you're worried about bills, but I guess that's just how the process works.

I know it's stressful, but try to stay positive. Most performance-related terminations do get approved eventually.

That's really encouraging to hear! It sounds like as long as you're honest and it's not misconduct, there's a good chance of approval.

Exactly. Washington ESD understands that sometimes people just aren't a good fit for certain jobs, and that's not their fault.

Thank you all so much for the help and encouragement. I feel much better prepared to handle this situation now.

You're welcome! Remember, losing a job is stressful enough without worrying about unemployment benefits. The system is there to help you get back on your feet.

I bookmarked their site just in case. Hopefully I won't need it, but it's good to know the option exists.

Smart thinking. Better to have the resource available than to struggle with busy phone lines when you're already stressed.