Washington ESD unemployment eligibility after getting fired - am I qualified?

You can definitely apply! Washington ESD evaluates each case individually. If you were fired for reasons other than misconduct, you may still qualify. Performance issues don't automatically disqualify you, especially if you can show you were trying to do your job properly. The key is whether it was willful misconduct or just not being able to meet job requirements.

same thing happened to me last year, got fired for 'performance' but really they just didn't like me. Still got approved for UI benefits after they investigated.

The Washington ESD will contact your former employer to get their side of the story. If you're having trouble reaching them during the process, I actually found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helps you get through to ESD agents faster. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Made a huge difference when I needed to check on my claim status.

WAIT don't get your hopes up too much. I got fired for being late too many times and Washington ESD denied my claim. They said it was misconduct. Really depends on why you got fired.

Apply anyway! Even if you're not sure, let Washington ESD make the decision. The worst they can do is say no, but you might be surprised. I thought I wouldn't qualify after getting fired but I did.

The main thing Washington ESD looks for is whether you were fired for misconduct or just couldn't do the job well enough. Misconduct is things like stealing, being drunk, fighting, repeatedly violating rules. Poor performance usually isn't misconduct unless you were deliberately doing bad work.

I work in HR and see this a lot. Most terminations for performance don't result in unemployment denials unless there's clear evidence the employee wasn't trying or was violating company policies. Document everything you can remember about your termination meeting.

honestly the unemployment system is so broken, you never know what they'll decide. I've seen people get denied for stupid reasons and others get approved when they probably shouldn't have. Just apply and see what happens.

File your claim as soon as possible! Even if it takes time to get approved, your benefits start from the week you file, not when they approve it. Don't wait around wondering if you qualify.

When I got fired last year for performance issues, the Washington ESD investigator asked me a bunch of questions about whether I received training, feedback, warnings, etc. Be prepared to explain your side of the story in detail.

If you do get denied initially, don't panic. You can appeal the decision and often win on appeal if you have a good case. Many people give up after the first denial but the appeals process exists for a reason.

I had a similar situation where I couldn't reach Washington ESD for weeks to discuss my case. A friend told me about Claimyr and it was a game changer. Worth checking out if you need to talk to someone there quickly.

Make sure you have all your employment information ready when you file - dates of employment, reason for separation, employer contact info. Having everything organized will make the process smoother.

The fact that you're worried about this shows you're taking it seriously. Most people who get denied are those who clearly violated rules or policies. Performance issues are usually not disqualifying unless there's misconduct involved.

Just went through this exact situation 2 months ago. Got fired for not meeting sales goals but Washington ESD approved my claim because I was trying my best and they didn't provide adequate training. You should be fine.

Don't forget that even if you qualify, there might be a waiting period before benefits start. Plan accordingly for your finances.

I'm skeptical of those third-party calling services people keep mentioning, but I have to admit when I was desperate to reach Washington ESD about my adjudication, I tried Claimyr and it actually worked. Got through to an agent the same day.

Bottom line - if you weren't stealing, drinking on the job, or deliberately sabotaging your work, you probably qualify. Performance issues alone rarely disqualify people from unemployment benefits in Washington.

File your claim today and start your job search immediately. Even if your claim gets approved, you need to show you're actively looking for work. Keep good records of your job search activities.

One last tip - be completely honest in your application and any interviews with Washington ESD. They'll find out the truth anyway, and being dishonest will definitely hurt your case.