Good cause is really hard to prove though. I tried to quit my job because of stress and they said it wasn't good enough. Ended up having to stick it out until I found something else. The system is stacked against workers.

Emma, I went through something similar with my previous employer. The key thing is that "good cause" usually requires showing that you made reasonable efforts to resolve the issue first. For schedule changes and mandatory overtime, you'll want to document when you were notified, how it affected your life (childcare issues, etc.), and any attempts you made to discuss it with management. Massachusetts DUA looks for whether a "reasonable person" would have quit under those circumstances. If you haven't already, I'd suggest having a written conversation with your supervisor about the schedule issues and keep copies of everything. The more documentation you have showing the unreasonableness of their demands and your attempts to work it out, the stronger your case will be.

I'm going through the exact same thing! Filed in late April and I'm still missing that first week's payment too. The whole timeline thing is super confusing - I keep second-guessing myself about which weeks I should actually be getting paid for. What's been somewhat helpful for me is calling the main number and pressing different menu options to see if any lead to shorter wait times. Sometimes the "technical support" line has fewer people calling. Also, I've been checking my account at like 5am when the website actually works properly lol. The waiting week thing is real though - apparently that first week you claim is unpaid by design, which nobody bothers to explain clearly. But if you're missing more than just that one week, definitely keep pushing for answers. Stay strong and keep documenting everything! We'll get through this bureaucratic nightmare eventually 💪

Going through something super similar right now! Filed in late April and I'm still trying to figure out which weeks I'm actually supposed to get paid for. The "waiting week" thing definitely caught me off guard too - wish they explained that better upfront! A few things that have helped me so far: - Calling right at 8am sharp (literally have my phone ready to dial at 7:59am) - Keeping a simple notebook with all my dates and confirmation numbers - Checking my account status at random times throughout the day The system is definitely overwhelmed but don't give up! I've seen so many people in this thread eventually get their issues resolved. It just takes way more patience than it should. Have you tried reaching out to your local rep yet? I keep seeing people mention that as a good backup option. Hang in there - we're all figuring this out together! 🤞

One more thing to consider - if you're anticipating a layoff, it might be worth reaching out to MassHire (the state's workforce development system) even before you lose your job. They offer free career counseling, resume help, and job search assistance that can complement your unemployment benefits. Some of their workshops and training programs can even count toward your required job search activities once you're on unemployment. I found their services really helpful when I was between jobs last year - they have offices throughout the state and a lot of virtual options too. Getting a head start on networking and skill building while you're still employed could help shorten your time on unemployment benefits.

This is such a comprehensive thread - thank you everyone for sharing your experiences! As someone who went through the DUA system in Massachusetts last year, I can confirm a lot of what's been said here. One thing I'd add is to make sure you understand the difference between your "weekly benefit rate" and what you'll actually receive. Even if you qualify for the maximum $1,015, you might get less if you have any earnings from part-time work, pension payments, or other factors that can reduce your weekly benefit. Also, if you end up needing to appeal any DUA decisions, don't wait - you only have 10 days from the determination date to file an appeal. The appeals process can take months, so it's crucial to file within that window even if you're still gathering documentation. I learned this the hard way when I initially got denied and almost missed the deadline. The system can be frustrating but persistence pays off.

Wow, reading through all these responses is both reassuring and eye-opening! I've been struggling with a similar hold situation for about 7 weeks now and was starting to feel like I was the only one going through this nightmare. It sounds like unreported income is definitely the common thread here - I did some freelance social media work for a few small businesses and some occasional pet sitting that I honestly didn't think needed to be reported since the amounts were pretty small. Clearly I need to go back and report everything! Going to spend this evening going through all my Venmo, PayPal, and bank records to make sure I catch every single payment. The 8:05 AM calling strategy that several people mentioned sounds promising too - I've been calling at random times with zero success. Thank you all for being so open about your situations and sharing such practical advice. This thread has given me hope that there's actually a path forward instead of just being stuck in limbo forever. Really appreciate this supportive community! 🙏

I'm so glad I found this thread! I've been dealing with a similar situation for about 4 weeks now - my claim shows as "current" but on hold, and I keep getting that same "pending issues" message when trying to certify. After reading everyone's experiences here, I'm pretty confident it's because I didn't report some income from odd jobs I did through Craigslist and some occasional babysitting for neighbors. I honestly had no idea that cash payments and small gigs needed to be reported too! Going to spend tonight gathering all my records and updating my earnings info with absolutely everything, no matter how minor it seemed. And definitely trying that 8:05 AM calling strategy - you all have given me so much hope that this can actually get resolved! It's incredible how helpful this community is. Thank you everyone for sharing your stories and making me feel less alone in this frustrating process! 🙌

Hey Keisha! I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago when I got laid off from my restaurant job. The DUA calculation definitely isn't straightforward, but here's what I learned: they look at your highest-earning quarter in the base period and use that to determine your weekly benefit rate. Since you've been consistently working at $18/hour for a year and a half, you should have a pretty solid base period. One thing that really helped me was creating an account on the DUA website before I even filed - you can see some of your wage history there which gives you an idea of what they'll be working with. Also, don't stress too much about the exact calculation beforehand because honestly, their system does all the math automatically and you'll know exactly what you qualify for once you get your determination letter. The most important thing is to file as soon as possible since there's that waiting week delay. From what you described about your work history, you should definitely qualify and probably get a decent weekly benefit amount. Good luck with everything!

I just want to echo what others have said about filing ASAP - I made the mistake of waiting almost a month after my layoff because I was intimidated by the whole process. Don't be like me! The DUA system is actually pretty user-friendly once you get started. One thing I wish someone had told me is that even if you're not 100% sure about some of the details when filling out your application, it's better to submit it and provide clarifications later if needed rather than delaying. Also, regarding the benefit calculation, I found it helpful to think of it this way: DUA basically averages out your earnings over the base period to smooth out any fluctuations, so if you had consistent work like you described at your retail job, that actually works in your favor. My weekly benefit ended up being right around that 50% mark others mentioned, and it was enough to cover my basic expenses while job hunting. The hardest part is just getting over that initial hurdle of actually filing the claim!