When you get fired can you collect unemployment - Washington ESD eligibility questions

What exactly counts as misconduct vs performance issues? I was never written up formally, just had a few conversations with my supervisor about productivity.

Misconduct typically involves things like theft, violence, deliberate policy violations, or refusing to follow reasonable instructions. Poor performance, lack of skills, or just not being a good fit usually doesn't qualify as misconduct under Washington ESD rules.

How long does the adjudication process usually take? I really need to know if I'll have income coming in.

Adjudication can take anywhere from 2-6 weeks depending on how complex your case is and how quickly your employer responds to Washington ESD's inquiry.

That's encouraging to hear! Did you have any issues during the application process?

The hardest part was actually getting through to someone at Washington ESD when I had questions. I ended up using this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get connected to an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

You're right, I shouldn't just take their word for it. Going to file today.

Exactly! I've seen too many people get scared off by what their employer tells them. File the claim and fight for your benefits if needed.

Being chronically late could be considered misconduct if it was willful and you were warned about it. But just struggling with job performance when you're trying your best usually isn't misconduct under Washington ESD guidelines.

oh ok that makes more sense i guess

What happens in the phone interview? Should I be worried about that?

It's just them asking you to explain your side of what happened. Be honest and stick to the facts. They're trying to determine if you were fired for misconduct or just performance issues.

Thanks, that helps calm my nerves a bit about the process.

Good point, I didn't think about that. So I should keep filing weekly even if my claim is still pending?

Yes, absolutely. You have to file weekly claims to maintain your eligibility. Even if your initial claim is under review, keep filing those weekly claims.

They said 'performance issues' on my termination paperwork, so hopefully that works in my favor.

That's actually good for you. 'Performance issues' suggests they couldn't point to specific misconduct.

Seriously! I'm already stressed about money and now I have to worry about whether I even qualify for help.

This is exactly why I ended up using Claimyr when I had questions. Sometimes you just need to talk to an actual person who can explain your specific situation.

How do you appeal if they deny your claim initially?

You'll get information about the appeals process in your denial letter. You typically have 30 days to file an appeal and request a hearing.

What was the phone hearing like? I'm nervous about having to explain everything.

It was actually pretty straightforward. They asked me to explain what happened, asked a few clarifying questions, and that was it. Lasted maybe 15 minutes.

That doesn't sound too bad. Thanks for sharing your experience!

That's a good way to think about it. I did pay into the system while I was working.

Exactly! Don't let anyone make you feel guilty about filing for benefits you earned.

Is that the same service someone mentioned earlier? How does it work exactly?

Yeah, it's claimyr.com. They basically call Washington ESD for you and connect you when they get an agent on the line. Really helpful when you have specific questions about your claim status.

Already filed this morning after reading all these responses. Feeling much better about my chances now.

Good for you! Hope everything works out with your claim.

I'll check that out. Any specific sections you'd recommend?

Look for the section on 'Discharge for Misconduct' - it explains what Washington ESD considers misconduct and what doesn't qualify.

That's reassuring! Neither of those sound like misconduct to me.

exactly. washington esd knows the difference between being bad at your job and being a bad employee

How many jobs do I need to apply to each week?

You need to make at least 3 job search activities per week. This can include applying for jobs, attending job fairs, networking events, etc. Keep detailed records.

Thank you for the encouragement. All these responses have really helped me understand the process better.

We've all been there. The unemployment system can be confusing but most people who file in good faith end up getting approved.

Good advice. I'll try to be smart about budgeting if I do get approved for benefits.

You'll do fine. Just take it one step at a time and don't let the process overwhelm you.

Thanks for sharing your experience! It's really helpful to hear from someone who went through something similar with reporting violations. Did your employer try to retaliate or make the process difficult when they contested your claim? I'm worried mine might try to paint me as a problem employee since I did complain about working conditions before getting fired.

They did try to contest it and made it sound like I was a "disruptive employee" during the hearing, but Washington ESD saw right through it. The fact that I had documented the safety issues I reported (emails, photos) really helped my case. Since you complained about working conditions before getting terminated, that actually strengthens your position - it could be seen as retaliation rather than legitimate performance issues. Make sure to mention that timeline when you file your claim and gather any documentation you have about the complaints you made. Washington ESD takes retaliation seriously.