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Bottom line: plan for 26 weeks maximum, but hope you find something sooner. Keep good records, follow all the requirements, and don't wait until the last minute to start thinking about what's next if benefits run out.
Bottom line: you CAN get unemployment after quitting if you have good cause. Just be prepared for extra scrutiny and make sure you have solid documentation. Don't let anyone tell you that quitting automatically disqualifies you - that's not true in Washington state.
One more thing - if you do get approved, your benefits might be reduced for the first few weeks as a 'penalty' for quitting. It's not much but something to be aware of.
My sister waited 8 weeks but she had quit her job before getting laid off from a different job, so they had to adjudicate the quit. Complicated situations definitely take longer.
FINAL UPDATE: Got approved today! Exactly 17 days from when I filed. First payment should hit my account in a few days. Thanks everyone for the reassurance that 2-3 weeks was normal - you were right!
Just want to add that timing really matters here. If you wait too long to file, you might miss out on benefits entirely. There are deadlines for filing after you become unemployed.
Final thought - even if this seems confusing now, just file the claim and start the process. Washington ESD can always adjust things later if there are issues, but you can't go back and file for weeks you missed.
Hannah Flores
I'm dealing with a voluntary unemployment case right now too. The hardest part is proving that I tried to resolve the issues before quitting. Make sure you document any conversations with supervisors or HR about problems.
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Olivia Harris
•Good point. I did try to talk to my manager about the hostile environment but didn't document it well. Wish I had thought of that at the time.
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Hannah Flores
•Don't worry, any documentation is better than none. Even if you can remember dates and details of conversations, write them down now while it's fresh.
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Kayla Jacobson
For anyone dealing with voluntary unemployment claims - be prepared for a long process but don't give up if you truly had good cause. The system is designed to be thorough, which is frustrating when you need money now but protects against fraud.
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Olivia Harris
•Yeah you're right. I just hope my case goes smoothly since I do have some documentation of the harassment.
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Grace Lee
•If you need to speak with someone at Washington ESD about your case, that Claimyr service people mentioned earlier really does work. I was skeptical at first but it saved me so much time and frustration trying to get through their phone system.
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