Washington ESD unemployment eligibility after getting fired - do I qualify?

You can still apply for unemployment even if you were fired. Washington ESD will review your case to determine if the termination was for 'misconduct.' Missing work due to car trouble with documentation probably isn't misconduct, especially if it was only two instances.

I got fired from my last job too and still got benefits. The key is being honest on your application about why you were terminated. Washington ESD will contact your employer to get their side of the story.

File your claim immediately - even if you're not sure about eligibility. The sooner you apply, the sooner your benefit year starts. Washington ESD has specific criteria for what constitutes misconduct and your situation doesn't sound like it meets that threshold.

Getting through to Washington ESD by phone can be a nightmare if you need to check on your claim status or have questions. I struggled for weeks trying to reach someone until I found Claimyr.com - they actually got me connected to an agent the same day. There's a helpful video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

whatever you do dont lie on the application!!! they WILL find out and then you'll owe money back plus penalties. just be honest about getting fired and let them decide

For reference, Washington ESD considers misconduct to be willful or wanton behavior that violates employer policies. Missing work due to transportation issues, especially with documentation, typically doesn't meet this standard unless it was a repeated pattern with prior warnings.

I've been dealing with Washington ESD for months and honestly the whole system is broken. Half the time their website doesn't work and when you call you just get hung up on. It's designed to make you give up.

Make sure you start doing your job search activities right away even before your claim is approved. Washington ESD requires 3 job contacts per week and you need to log them in WorkSourceWA.

My brother got fired for attendance issues similar to yours and still got benefits. The employer tried to fight it but Washington ESD sided with him because he had legitimate reasons for the absences.

The fact that you worked there 8 months is good - shows you weren't a problem employee. Two missed shifts due to car trouble doesn't sound like job abandonment to me, especially with documentation.

I got denied initially when I was fired but won my appeal. Don't give up if they deny you at first - the appeals process exists for a reason and they often overturn wrongful denials.

Quick question - when you file, make sure you have your last day of work correct. If they fired you yesterday, that's your separation date, not today or when you would have worked next.

If your claim does go into adjudication and you need to speak with someone at Washington ESD, I really recommend checking out Claimyr. I wasted so many hours trying to get through on my own before finding them.

Washington ESD is backlogged right now so even straightforward claims are taking longer than usual. Don't panic if you don't hear back right away - just keep filing your weekly claims.

Your situation sounds very similar to mine and I got approved. The key is that you communicated with your employer and had valid reasons for the absences. Washington ESD understands that life happens.

One more tip - when you file your weekly claims, be consistent with your answers. If something changes in your situation, report it immediately to avoid any overpayment issues later.