UPDATE: ULP called me back and agreed to take my case! They're assigning me an attorney who specializes in "voluntary quit" cases. I have a meeting with them next week to go through all my evidence. They said based on what I described, I have a decent chance of winning my appeal, especially since I have texts showing I tried to work with my employer on the schedule issue before leaving. Thanks everyone for your advice! I'll post another update after my hearing to let you know how it goes. For anyone facing a similar situation, definitely reach out to ULP as soon as possible!

Congratulations Emma! So glad ULP was able to take your case. Just wanted to add that when you meet with your attorney, make sure to bring any documentation of your childcare arrangement too - like contracts with your daycare provider, their operating hours, pickup/dropoff policies, etc. This helps establish that the schedule change created a legitimate conflict you couldn't resolve. Also, if you have any medical records showing stress or health impacts from the impossible schedule, that can sometimes strengthen a "good cause" argument. The key is showing you made reasonable attempts to accommodate the new schedule but it was genuinely impossible due to circumstances beyond your control. Rooting for you at your hearing! ULP attorneys really know their stuff when it comes to these voluntary quit cases.

One more thing - if you do qualify and start receiving benefits, keep detailed records of all your job search activities. Washington ESD can audit your claim and ask for proof of your job search efforts.

Bottom line - you won't know for sure until you apply. Since you had that W-2 employment last year, it's definitely worth trying. The worst they can say is no, but you might be pleasantly surprised.

One thing to keep in mind is that even if you qualify, the benefit amount might not cover all your expenses. Make sure you're also looking into other assistance programs if needed.

I'm so sorry you're going through this difficult situation with your mom. As others have mentioned, Washington does recognize caregiving for immediate family members as "good cause" for voluntary separation in certain circumstances. The key factors they'll look at are: 1) medical documentation proving your mom's serious health condition, 2) proof that you were the primary/only available caregiver, and 3) that you had covered employment (meaning your previous retail job paid into the unemployment system). Since you worked retail for several months before becoming a caregiver, that should help establish your base period wages. I'd definitely recommend filing your claim soon - you can always provide additional documentation during the review process, but you can't get benefits for weeks before you file. The process can take several weeks for adjudication, especially for caregiver cases, but don't let that discourage you from applying.

One last tip - if you do end up needing to call Washington ESD, try calling right when they open or during lunch hours. Sometimes the wait times are shorter then. Though that Claimyr service people mentioned sounds like it might be easier.

This has been such an informative thread! As someone who works in HR, I see situations like this more often than you'd think. One thing I'd add is to make sure you document your layoff thoroughly - get everything in writing from your employer about the reason for termination, your last day of work, and any benefits continuation. Washington ESD will want to verify that it was indeed an involuntary separation, especially since the timing coincides with your maternity leave. Having clear documentation will help avoid any delays or complications with your claim. Also, don't forget to ask about COBRA continuation for your health insurance - you'll want coverage during your recovery period regardless of which benefits you end up receiving.

I went through this exact same situation last year with a construction layoff. The key thing is to file your claim the Sunday after your last day of work - that way you're officially unemployed and can start the clock on your waiting week. Don't file before your last day because that can cause issues, but don't wait too long either. I filed the Sunday after my Friday layoff and everything went smoothly. Make sure you have your employer info, Social Security card, and last few pay stubs ready when you file. The online system at esd.wa.gov works better than trying to call, especially on weekends when it's less busy. Also start thinking about your job search strategy now because you'll need to document 3 job search activities per week once you start filing weekly claims.

I just went through this process a few months ago when I was laid off from my warehouse job. The timing advice here is spot on - file as soon as you're actually unemployed, not before. I made the mistake of overthinking it and waited almost a week because I was scared of doing something wrong. That week delay meant I had to serve my waiting week later and it pushed back my first payment. One thing I'd add is to make sure you understand exactly what "unemployed" means for filing purposes. In Washington, you're considered unemployed starting the day after your last day of work, even if that last day was paid. So if Friday is your last day and you work a full shift, you can file on Saturday. Don't wait until Monday just because it feels like a "business day" - the online system works 24/7 and weekends are actually less busy. Also, definitely have your bank account info ready for direct deposit when you file. Getting a debit card in the mail takes longer and you want your first payment to come as quickly as possible once you get through the waiting period. The whole process is much less intimidating once you actually start it - the hardest part is just getting over the initial anxiety about filing.