Washington ESD unemployment eligibility if I'm fired - can I still get benefits?

What exactly counts as misconduct? I've been written up twice for being late but nothing serious like stealing or anything.

Being late a couple times usually isn't considered misconduct for Washington ESD purposes. They're looking for willful violations or behavior that harms the employer. You should be fine to file a claim.

Did Washington ESD contact your employer to verify why you were fired?

Yeah they sent my employer a form to fill out about the termination. That's standard procedure. As long as your employer doesn't claim misconduct you should be approved pretty quickly.

Good to know! Should I file even if I'm not 100% sure I'll be fired?

Wait until you're actually terminated. You can't file a claim while you're still employed, even if you think you're about to be fired.

Actually you can file the same day you're terminated. I filed mine on a Friday afternoon after getting fired that morning and it went through fine.

Is that legit? I've never heard of it before.

Yeah it's real. They basically keep calling for you until they get through to Washington ESD. Way better than sitting on hold for hours or getting disconnected.

I used Claimyr too when my claim was stuck in adjudication. Worth it just to talk to a real person at Washington ESD who could explain what was happening.

How do I figure out what my base period wages were?

When you file your claim online, Washington ESD will show you your wage history and let you know if you meet the requirements. You can also check your wage records on your SecureAccess Washington account.

What kind of documentation are they asking for? Usually it's just verification of your termination or wage information.

They want some form about job separation that my employer was supposed to fill out but apparently never sent in. Now I'm stuck in limbo while they sort it out.

That's exactly the kind of situation where Claimyr helped me. Got through to an agent who could see what forms were missing and expedite the process.

How long did it take to get your first payment?

I got my first payment about 10 days after filing. Had to wait for the one-week waiting period plus processing time. Make sure to file your weekly claims on time or you'll delay your payments.

What happens during adjudication? Do they interview you?

Sometimes. They might call you and your employer to get more details about the termination. Just be honest and stick to the facts. If you have any documentation about your firing, keep it handy.

I had to go through adjudication and it took 6 weeks. They eventually ruled in my favor but it was stressful not knowing if I'd get benefits.

Do I have to start job searching immediately or is there a grace period?

You need to start making job search contacts the week after you file your initial claim. The requirements are on the Washington ESD website under WorkSourceWA.

Tell me about it! I've been trying to reach them for two weeks about an issue with my weekly claim.

That's why I mentioned Claimyr earlier - sometimes you just need to talk to a real person at Washington ESD to sort things out. Their phone system is impossible otherwise.

File for unemployment immediately. That's separate from any discrimination claims you might pursue. You need income while you're looking for work, and Washington ESD benefits are your right if you qualify.

Good point, thanks. I was worried filing for UI might hurt a potential discrimination case.

What if the reason they give for firing me isn't the real reason?

Just report what they officially told you when they terminated you. If there's a dispute, that's what the adjudication process is for.

That's reassuring. I was worried any kind of firing would disqualify me.

Nope! As long as it wasn't willful misconduct or violation of company policy after clear warnings, you should be fine.

How does severance pay affect unemployment benefits?

Severance pay usually delays the start of your benefits until the severance period ends. So if you get 2 weeks severance, your UI benefits would start in week 3.

Is there a calculator somewhere to estimate what I might get?

Yeah, Washington ESD has a benefit calculator on their website. You'll need your wage information to use it accurately.

I didn't know that! Should I have taxes withheld?

It's usually better to have them withheld so you don't get hit with a big tax bill next year. You can set this up when you file your initial claim.

Thank you everyone! This has been super helpful. I feel much better about my situation now.

Good luck! Remember to file those weekly claims on time once you get approved.

This is great advice! I wish I had known about keeping documentation when I was fired from my retail job last year. My manager gave me conflicting reasons for my termination (first said it was "restructuring" then later claimed "performance issues") and I didn't have any written records to back up what really happened. Luckily my claim still got approved, but having documentation would have made me feel more confident throughout the process. Also totally agree about not being discouraged - the whole system seems intimidating at first but once you get through the initial filing, it becomes more routine.