Unemployment After Being Fired in Washington
Whether you can collect unemployment in Washington after being fired, what counts as misconduct, and how to appeal a denial.
Short answer: If you were fired for misconduct or gross misconduct, you may not qualify. Misconduct includes deliberately or maliciously disregarding your employer or co-workers. Washington ESD, Laid off or fired
| If you were fired | If you were fired for misconduct or gross misconduct, you may not qualify. Misconduct includes deliberately or maliciously disregarding your employer or co-workers. If ESD finds misconduct or gross misconduct, it denies benefits for at least 10 weeks after the week you were fired, and you must earn at least 10 times your weekly benefit amount in covered work to qualify again. For gross misconduct, ESD also removes those wages and hours from your record, which can make you ineligible for future benefits. Being let go for performance alone is generally treated as a firing, not necessarily misconduct. |
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| Appealing a denial | You must submit an appeal within 30 days from the date the determination letter was mailed. File online in eServices: open the claim, go to "Decision Status" and choose "File an appeal." If you file late, you will have to explain why. Keep filing weekly claims while your appeal is pending. |
Where to get help in Washington
More Washington unemployment benefits
- Logging In to Your Washington Unemployment Claim
- Unemployment for Self-Employed and Gig Workers in Washington
- Unemployment After Quitting in Washington
- How Much Unemployment Pays in Washington
- How to File for Unemployment in Washington
- All Washington unemployment benefits rules
FAQ
Can you get unemployment if you were fired in Washington?
If you were fired for misconduct or gross misconduct, you may not qualify. Misconduct includes deliberately or maliciously disregarding your employer or co-workers. If ESD finds misconduct or gross misconduct, it denies benefits for at least 10 weeks after the week you were fired, and you must earn at least 10 times your weekly benefit amount in covered work to qualify again. For gross misconduct, ESD also removes those wages and hours from your record, which can make you ineligible for future benefits. Being let go for performance alone is generally treated as a firing, not necessarily misconduct.
How do I appeal an unemployment denial in Washington?
You must submit an appeal within 30 days from the date the determination letter was mailed. File online in eServices: open the claim, go to "Decision Status" and choose "File an appeal." If you file late, you will have to explain why. Keep filing weekly claims while your appeal is pending.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.