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 in week 3 of this exact same situation and honestly thought I was losing my mind! No checks, no letters, no emails - just complete radio silence from DUA. This thread is such a lifesaver because I was convinced I must have screwed up my application somehow. @Jade O'Malley your checklist is pure gold - I'm going to work through every single step tomorrow morning. The contact info tip especially makes sense because what if they're trying to reach me but have the wrong info? @Lucas Bey that calling service is looking pretty tempting right now. I've already wasted probably 10+ hours on hold this week alone, so $20 would honestly be a steal if it actually works. Has anyone else tried it yet? One thing I'm curious about - has anyone had luck with the live chat feature on the DUA website? Or is that just as useless as the phone lines? Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences. It's weirdly comforting to know this nightmare is widespread and not just my personal failure! We'll all get through this eventually 💪

I'm in the exact same boat and this thread is giving me life! Been waiting 7 weeks now with absolutely zero communication from DUA - not even a single email acknowledgment. I was starting to think maybe my application never went through or something. @Jade O'Malley that step-by-step guide is amazing, thank you! The state rep idea is genius - I never would have thought of that. @Lucas Bey I'm honestly about to try that calling service because I've literally taken days off work just to sit on hold and get nowhere. One thing I discovered that might help others - I found out there's actually a "Messages" section in the online portal that's separate from the main dashboard. Mine was buried under like 3 different menu clicks and had some requests for additional info that I had no idea were there! Might be worth checking if you haven't already. The whole system is absolutely broken but reading everyone's stories here makes me feel so much less alone in this nightmare. We're all going to get through this! Keep fighting everyone 💪

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.

I'm going through the exact same timeline confusion! Filed in mid-April and I'm still trying to figure out which weeks I should have received payments for. That waiting week thing really threw me off too - I wish they explained it better when you first file. What's been helping me is keeping a simple spreadsheet with three columns: week ending date, whether I certified, and payment status. It's helped me see the gaps more clearly. Also, I've had better luck with the website super early in the morning (like 6am) when it's not crashing constantly. Have you checked if there are any "pending issues" or required documents in your online account? Sometimes they flag claims for random verifications that aren't obvious. And definitely keep calling - I know it's frustrating but the squeaky wheel really does get the grease with this system. Don't give up! From reading through all these comments, it seems like persistence really pays off. We're all navigating this mess together! 💪

I'm dealing with almost the exact same situation! Filed in late April and I'm still confused about which weeks I should be getting paid for. The whole waiting week concept really threw me off - I had no idea that was even a thing when I first filed! What's been helping me so far: - Calling right at 8am when they open (literally setting multiple alarms) - Keeping a simple calendar where I mark my filing date, last day of work, and certification dates - Checking the website during off-peak hours like early morning when it actually loads The inconsistent information from different reps is so frustrating though. One told me I'd eventually get that waiting week payment, another said I never would. I've started asking them to put notes in my file about what they tell me. Also, definitely check your spam folder for any emails from them - I found some important notices there that I had completely missed! And if you haven't already, look for any "pending issues" buried in your online account. They sometimes require additional verification that's not obvious. Don't give up! From reading all these comments, it's clear that persistence really does pay off with this system. We're all figuring out this bureaucratic maze together! 🤞

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this stress - I completely understand how overwhelming it feels! I went through almost the exact same situation about 6 months ago when I got terminated from my office job for "performance concerns" after 18 months with zero formal warnings or write-ups. I was absolutely panicking thinking that being fired would automatically disqualify me from benefits, but everyone here is giving you spot-on advice - you need to file your DUA claim TODAY! Don't wait another minute. The most important thing I learned is that Massachusetts DUA distinguishes between being fired for actual "misconduct" (like theft, harassment, or willfully violating clear policies after documented warnings) versus being let go for performance issues or business reasons. Your situation - 2 years with no formal discipline, terminated for vague "performance issues" that you suspect are really about cost-cutting - actually sounds very promising for a successful claim! When I filed, I was completely honest about being terminated for performance reasons and still got approved. The DUA representative explained that they look for patterns of willful misconduct, not just struggling to meet expectations or being let go during layoffs disguised as performance issues. Even if your employer tries to contest your claim, you can appeal, and based on what you've described, you have a really strong case. But every day you wait is potentially a day of benefits lost. File today, be honest about the circumstances, and don't let fear of rejection stop you from getting the support you're entitled to!

I'm really sorry you're going through this - the uncertainty after getting fired is absolutely nerve-wracking! But I have some good news for you based on my own experience. I was terminated from my job about 4 months ago for what they called "failure to meet performance standards" after working there for over a year with no formal warnings or disciplinary actions on file. I was terrified to apply for DUA benefits because I thought getting fired automatically meant no unemployment, but that's definitely not the case! The key thing is that Massachusetts DUA looks at whether you were fired for "misconduct" - which means things like theft, harassment, insubordination, or willfully violating company policies after clear warnings - versus being let go for performance issues or business reasons. Since you mentioned no formal write-ups over 2 years and they cited vague "performance issues," that actually sounds very similar to my situation and many others who have successfully gotten benefits. I ended up getting approved for unemployment after being completely honest about my termination when I filed. Please don't wait to file your claim - I made that mistake initially and realized I was just losing potential benefit days. The worst case is they deny it and you can appeal, but based on what you've shared, you have a really good chance of approval. You've got this!