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.

As someone who just went through the DUA process recently, I wanted to share a few practical tips that might help! First, when you file online, make sure you have your Social Security number, driver's license, and information about your last employer handy - it speeds up the application process. Second, the base period calculation really does take into account ALL your covered wages during those quarters, so if you had any side jobs or temporary work during that time, those wages count too which could boost your benefit amount. One thing that caught me off guard was that after you file, you have to certify for benefits every week (usually on Sunday) and you can't miss a week or you'll lose that week's benefits. Also, keep detailed records of every job you apply for because DUA may ask for proof of your work search efforts. The determination letter usually comes within 2-3 weeks of filing, and once you get it, your first payment typically arrives within a few days if there are no issues with your claim. Hope this helps ease some of the uncertainty!

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'm so glad I found this thread! I've been going through the exact same thing - it's been about 5 weeks since I applied and I haven't received a single payment or even any communication from DUA. I was starting to panic thinking I did something wrong with my application. Reading everyone's experiences here is both terrifying (some people waiting 3-4 months?!) and reassuring at the same time. I'm definitely going to try that 8:01 AM calling strategy and dig deeper into my online account to look for hidden pending issues. Has anyone had success with contacting their local state rep? That seems like it might be worth trying if the phone calls don't work out. This whole situation is such a mess but at least we're all in it together! 💪

Ugh, I'm dealing with this exact same nightmare right now! It's been about 8 weeks for me with absolutely zero communication from DUA - no letters, no emails, nothing. I was honestly starting to think I was the only one going through this hell, so finding this thread is such a relief! @Jade O'Malley your step-by-step breakdown is amazing - I'm screenshotting that and working through each point. And @Lucas Bey that calling service actually sounds tempting at this point because I've literally spent entire days on hold just to get disconnected. The most frustrating part is not knowing if there's some hidden issue holding everything up or if I'm just stuck in the endless queue. I've been doing my weekly certifications religiously but everything just shows "pending" forever. Going to try logging in super early tomorrow to dig for any hidden pending issues, and if that doesn't work I might actually try contacting my state rep. Never thought I'd need to become a detective just to get unemployment benefits! Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - we're all going to get through this mess eventually! 🤞

I'm going through something very similar right now and this thread has been incredibly helpful! My situation involves a supervisor who's been creating a hostile work environment through constant criticism, unreasonable demands, and what I can only describe as bullying behavior. Reading everyone's experiences gives me hope that there might be a way out that doesn't leave me completely without income. I've already started documenting incidents after reading the advice here - wish I'd known to do this sooner. Has anyone dealt with a situation where the toxic behavior is more subtle/psychological rather than obvious harassment? I'm worried DUA might not see my case as strong enough since there aren't any explicitly offensive emails or clear-cut violations, just a pattern of behavior that's making me dread going to work every day.

I successfully got unemployment benefits after quitting due to a hostile work environment in MA last year. The most important thing is building a comprehensive case BEFORE you quit. Here's what worked for me: 1) Document everything in writing with dates/times/witnesses, 2) File formal complaints through your company's channels (even if they're unhelpful - DUA needs to see you tried), 3) Keep records of how it's affecting your health (doctor visits, therapy sessions if applicable), and 4) Look up Massachusetts General Law Chapter 151A Section 25(e) which covers "good cause attributable to the employer." The adjudication process took about 5-6 weeks for me, but I was approved because I could prove the conditions were objectively unreasonable and I had exhausted other remedies. Don't let fear of the unknown keep you trapped in a situation that's destroying your mental health - just make sure you have a solid paper trail first. Happy to answer any specific questions about the process!

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.