Washington ESD unemployment if fired for poor performance - am I eligible?
Got let go from my retail job last week after 8 months. Manager said it was due to poor performance - missing sales targets and being late a few times. I wasn't given any formal warnings or write-ups, just verbal coaching. Can I still get unemployment benefits from Washington ESD? I've been paying into the system and really need the income while I look for something new. Has anyone been in a similar situation?
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Savannah Weiner
You can definitely apply! Washington ESD distinguishes between misconduct and poor performance. Being fired for inability to meet job requirements isn't the same as willful misconduct. File your claim online at esd.wa.gov and let them make the determination.
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Giovanni Martello
•That's encouraging! I was worried they'd automatically deny me. Should I mention the tardiness issues when I file?
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Savannah Weiner
•Be honest but focus on the performance aspect. A few late arrivals without formal discipline usually won't disqualify you from UI benefits.
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Levi Parker
I got fired for performance last year and Washington ESD approved my claim. The key is that it wasn't willful misconduct - I was trying my best but just wasn't a good fit for the role.
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Giovanni Martello
•How long did the adjudication process take? I'm worried about bills piling up while they decide.
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Levi Parker
•Mine took about 3 weeks. They had to contact my former employer for their side of the story.
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Libby Hassan
If you're having trouble getting through to Washington ESD to check on your claim status, I used Claimyr recently and it was a lifesaver. They helped me get connected to an actual agent without sitting on hold for hours. Check out claimyr.com - there's even a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works.
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Hunter Hampton
•Never heard of that service. Is it legit or just another scam?
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Libby Hassan
•It's legitimate - they don't ask for personal info, just help you get through the phone system. Saved me hours of frustration trying to reach Washington ESD.
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Sofia Peña
Washington ESD looks at whether you were discharged for misconduct connected with work. Poor performance usually doesn't qualify as misconduct unless you were deliberately underperforming or violating clear policies.
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Aaron Boston
•What about attendance issues? I got fired for being late too much but it was because of my car breaking down.
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Sofia Peña
•Attendance can be tricky. If it's due to circumstances beyond your control and you made efforts to resolve it, you might still qualify.
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Sophia Carter
File ASAP! Even if they deny you initially, you can appeal. I've seen plenty of performance-related terminations get approved for UI benefits after the employer couldn't prove misconduct.
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Giovanni Martello
•Good point about appealing. How long do you have to file an appeal if they deny you?
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Sophia Carter
•30 days from the date of the determination letter. Don't wait - appeals can take a while to process.
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Hunter Hampton
ugh washington esd is so backed up right now, took me forever to get through when i had questions about my weekly claim. anyone know if theyre still doing the callback thing?
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Savannah Weiner
•The callback system is still available but wait times are long. Better to call early morning or use their online chat if available.
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Hunter Hampton
•tried calling at 8am sharp and still waited 2 hours. this system is broken
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Chloe Zhang
Your employer will get a chance to respond to your claim. They'll need to provide documentation showing misconduct, not just poor performance. Most retail employers don't keep detailed performance records unless it's serious.
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Giovanni Martello
•That makes sense. My manager was pretty disorganized so I doubt they have much paperwork on me.
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Chloe Zhang
•Exactly. Without proper documentation of progressive discipline, it's hard for employers to prove misconduct.
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Brandon Parker
I was denied initially for performance issues but won my appeal. The hearing officer said being unable to meet job requirements isn't the same as willful misconduct. Don't give up if they deny you!
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Giovanni Martello
•How was the appeal hearing? Was it intimidating with your employer there?
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Brandon Parker
•It was actually pretty straightforward. Done by phone and the hearing officer asked fair questions to both sides.
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Adriana Cohn
Make sure you're actively looking for work while your claim is processing. Washington ESD requires 3 job search activities per week and you need to keep records.
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Giovanni Martello
•What counts as a job search activity? Just applying online or do I need to do more?
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Adriana Cohn
•Applications, networking events, job fairs, informational interviews - they have a list on WorkSource WA. Keep detailed records!
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Jace Caspullo
Been through this exact situation. Filed my weekly claims religiously and eventually got approved after adjudication. The key is being honest about why you were terminated.
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Melody Miles
•How long did your adjudication take? Mine's been pending for 2 weeks now.
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Jace Caspullo
•About a month total. They had to interview both me and my supervisor. Just be patient and keep filing your weekly claims.
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Nathaniel Mikhaylov
If Washington ESD is taking forever to process your claim, definitely try that Claimyr service mentioned earlier. I used it last month when I couldn't get answers about my adjudication delay. Much better than sitting on hold for hours!
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Giovanni Martello
•Is there a cost for using Claimyr? I'm already tight on money.
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Nathaniel Mikhaylov
•They do charge but it's worth it when you need to actually talk to someone at Washington ESD. Way less than what you lose by waiting weeks for answers.
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Eva St. Cyr
The Washington ESD website has good info about misconduct vs poor performance. Look under the 'Eligibility' section - it explains the difference pretty clearly.
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Giovanni Martello
•Thanks! I'll check that out before I finish my application.
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Kristian Bishop
•That section is really helpful. Saved me from worrying unnecessarily about my own performance-related termination.
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Kaitlyn Otto
whatever you do dont lie on your application!!! washington esd will find out and then youll be in real trouble. better to be honest and maybe get denied than lie and face fraud charges
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Giovanni Martello
•Definitely planning to be completely honest. Not worth the risk of making things worse.
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Axel Far
•Smart approach. Honesty is always the best policy with government benefits.
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Jasmine Hernandez
I'm a former Washington ESD claims processor. Poor performance terminations are approved more often than people think. The burden is on the employer to prove misconduct, which is a high bar.
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Giovanni Martello
•That's really reassuring coming from someone who worked there! What should I focus on in my application?
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Jasmine Hernandez
•Just stick to the facts about what happened. Don't embellish or minimize - let the adjudicator make the determination based on Washington ESD guidelines.
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Luis Johnson
File your claim today if you haven't already. There's a waiting week anyway so the sooner you apply, the sooner you might start getting benefits. Good luck!
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Giovanni Martello
•You're right, I need to stop overthinking and just file. Thanks everyone for the advice and encouragement!
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Ellie Kim
•Let us know how it goes! Always good to hear success stories for others in similar situations.
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Fiona Sand
One more vote for trying Claimyr if you need to talk to Washington ESD directly. I was stuck in adjudication limbo for weeks and they helped me get through to someone who could actually explain what was happening with my claim.
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Mohammad Khaled
•Did they help you get your claim approved faster or just get information?
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Fiona Sand
•Got information that helped me understand the process. Having actual answers made the wait much less stressful.
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