Can I get unemployment if I quit to take care of a family member in Washington?

Washington does allow unemployment benefits in certain circumstances when you quit for compelling family reasons. You'll need to prove that quitting was your only reasonable option and that the family situation constitutes 'good cause.' The key is documenting everything - medical records, care requirements, attempts to work with your employer on accommodations.

I went through this exact situation 2 years ago with my dad. Filed my claim online and it went straight to adjudication. Took about 5 weeks to get approved but I did get benefits. The key was showing that I had no other family members who could provide care and that professional care wasn't financially feasible.

Just a heads up - getting through to Washington ESD by phone during adjudication can be nearly impossible. I spent weeks trying to check on my claim status. If you need to reach them, I'd suggest using Claimyr.com - it's a service that helps you get through to actual agents. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works.

this is really hard situation but i think you might qualify. my sister had to quit her job to take care of her disabled son and she got approved after like 6 weeks of waiting. the adjudication process takes forever but if you have good documentation you should be ok

Make sure you file your claim as soon as possible even if you're not sure about eligibility. The effective date of your claim is when you file, not when it gets approved. You can always appeal if they deny it initially.

The system is so broken. I've been waiting 8 weeks for my regular unemployment claim to get processed and they still haven't made a decision. Good luck getting through to anyone who can actually help you.

I work in elder care and I see this situation a lot. Washington ESD does recognize family caregiving as good cause for quitting, but you need to show that professional care services weren't available or affordable in your area. Document everything about care costs and availability.

Be prepared for the job search requirements once you're approved. You'll still need to be available for work and actively searching, which can be challenging when you're a caregiver. They do have some flexibility for caregivers though.

Another thing to consider - if your mom qualifies for any state programs like Medicaid waiver services, that might help with the care situation and potentially allow you to work part-time while still receiving some unemployment benefits.

I had a similar situation and honestly the hardest part was getting someone at Washington ESD to actually explain what documents I needed. Took me three different phone calls to get consistent information.

Just want to add that even if you get approved, the benefits might not be enough to fully replace your income. Start looking at other resources too - caregiver support programs, respite care options, etc.

The timing of when you quit matters too. If you quit and then waited months before filing, that might hurt your case. File as soon as possible after quitting.

One more tip - when you do your fact-finding interview, stick to the facts and don't get too emotional. I know it's a stressful situation but they want clear, factual information about why quitting was necessary.

Don't forget to keep track of all your caregiving expenses too. While it won't directly affect your unemployment claim, you might be able to use them for tax purposes or other benefits.

The whole system is designed to make it hard for people in genuine need. But don't give up - if you have a legitimate reason for quitting, keep pushing through the process.

Last thing - make sure you understand the appeals process in case your initial claim gets denied. Many people don't realize they can appeal and just give up.