Washington ESD unemployment fired vs quit - does it matter for benefits?

Thanks for the clarification! So since there was a hostile work environment, that could count as 'good cause' for quitting?

Potentially yes, but you'll need documentation to prove it. Washington ESD will want evidence like emails, witness statements, or HR complaints showing the hostile environment.

How long did the investigation take? I'm worried about how long this might delay my benefits.

Mine took about 3 weeks for adjudication. Just be honest about what happened and provide any documentation you have.

Is that service legit? I've been trying to call Washington ESD for weeks about my own adjudication issue.

Yeah it worked for me. Saved me hours of redialing and actually got me connected to someone who could help with my claim status.

I have some emails from my supervisor that were pretty inappropriate. Should I submit those with my weekly claim?

Save them for when Washington ESD contacts you for the fact-finding interview. They'll tell you exactly what they need.

You can get unemployment if you quit for 'good cause' which includes things like harassment, unsafe working conditions, or significant changes to your job terms.

Good to know! I thought quitting automatically disqualified you from benefits.

Adjudication can take a while but don't panic. They're just making sure they have all the facts before approving your claim.

Same thing happened to me last year. Took about a month but I eventually got approved and received back pay for the waiting period.

Five weeks is definitely longer than usual. Have you tried calling to check on the status?

I've tried calling dozens of times but can never get through. The phone system is terrible.

That's reassuring. I was worried they'd automatically deny me because of the confusion about whether I quit or was fired.

They see these mixed situations all the time. What matters most is the underlying reason for the separation, not the exact technicality of who said what first.

This is great advice. I made the mistake of venting during my interview and it probably didn't help my case.

Yeah, stay professional even if your boss was a complete nightmare. Just state what happened objectively.

How much does something like that cost? I'm already strapped for cash waiting for my unemployment to get approved.

It's pretty reasonable considering how much time it saves you. Check their website for current pricing - claimyr.com has all the details.

Good point. I'll make sure to review what I put on my original application before any interviews.

Exactly. Any contradictions between your application and interview will raise red flags with the adjudicator.

I'm not sure how to check that. Is there a way to see if they responded on the Washington ESD website?

Not directly, but if your adjudication drags on for more than a few weeks, it usually means there's some back-and-forth happening.

How promptly do you need to file? I waited about a week after my last day because I wasn't sure I'd qualify.

A week is fine. They recommend filing within the first week but you won't be penalized for a short delay like that.

Medical reasons should definitely qualify as good cause for leaving. Do you have documentation from your doctor?

Yes, I have medical records showing I couldn't perform my job duties. Hoping that's enough evidence for Washington ESD.

Did they give you a timeline for when your decision would be made?

They said most adjudications are completed within 21 business days, but complex cases can take longer. At least I knew what to expect.

Thanks everyone for all the advice! I feel much more confident about my claim now. I'll just wait for the adjudication to complete and be ready with my documentation if they call.

Good luck with your claim! Sounds like you have a solid case based on what you've described.