The same thing happened to me... I was so depressed I couldn't get out of bed but they still said I didn't have "good cause" to quit. I appealed and lost because my doctor's note wasn't "specific enough" whatever that means. The whole system is designed to deny people benefits. Im still mad about it. Hope you have better luck than I did :

I went through almost the exact same situation last year and won my appeal! Here's what made the difference: I had to get a very specific letter from my psychiatrist that stated 1) my exact diagnosis (major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety), 2) that the workplace conditions were directly worsening my symptoms, and 3) that it was medically necessary for me to leave that specific job to prevent further deterioration of my mental health. The judge at my hearing emphasized that it couldn't just say I had depression - it had to connect my condition to why I couldn't continue THAT job specifically. Also document everything about your supervisor's behavior if you can remember dates/incidents. I kept a journal of the toxic interactions which really helped my case. Don't give up - mental health IS a valid reason to quit if you have the right documentation!

thats great news!! hope it all works out for you - and i might try that service too since im still fighting with esd about some overpayment nonsense from 2 months ago ugh

Congrats on getting through to ESD! That's awesome that you were able to get clarity on both the partial unemployment AND the training benefits. For anyone else reading this thread - healthcare administration is definitely a smart choice since it's high-demand in WA. I went through a similar situation a few years back when I was in a medical coding program and my retail hours got slashed. The combination of partial UI + training benefits really helped me get through school without going into major debt. Make sure to keep copies of everything you submit to ESD - they sometimes "lose" paperwork and you'll want to have backups ready to resubmit if needed.

Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences. At least now I know I'm not the only one struggling with this. Going to try that Claimyr service mentioned earlier because I clearly need professional help navigating this mess.

I'm a newcomer to this community and honestly feeling overwhelmed after reading all these experiences. I just got laid off from my retail job last week and was planning to file for unemployment benefits, but now I'm terrified about what I'm getting into. Is there any advice for someone who hasn't filed yet? Should I expect the same months-long delays and phone system nightmares that everyone is describing? I'm already worried about making rent next month and these stories are making me panic that I won't see any benefits for months.

Thanks everyone for all this great information! I feel much more confident about applying now. It sounds like partial unemployment is exactly what I need to help with the reduced hours situation.

I'm in a similar situation but at a grocery store - went from 30 hours to about 15 due to "staffing adjustments." Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful! I had no idea partial unemployment was even a thing. One question I haven't seen addressed: if I pick up a few shifts at another part-time job to make ends meet while my main job's hours are reduced, does that affect my eligibility? Or do they just look at the total income from all sources?

Bottom line - file for your benefits! You've earned them by working and paying into the system. Don't let unfounded fears keep you from getting help you need and deserve.

I'm glad you asked this question because it shows how much misinformation is out there about unemployment benefits! As someone who's worked in both corporate finance and now as a freelance consultant, I can confirm that filing for UI benefits has absolutely zero impact on your employment prospects. I've filed twice - once after a merger eliminated my position and again during the pandemic - and it never came up in any interviews or background checks. The system is designed to be confidential for exactly this reason. Don't let stigma or fear keep you from accessing benefits you've literally paid for through your payroll deductions. File that claim and focus your energy on your job search instead of worrying about non-existent consequences!