Can you quit and collect unemployment in Washington state?

Yes, Washington state does allow unemployment benefits if you quit for 'good cause.' The key is proving that your reason for quitting was compelling and you had no reasonable alternative. Good cause includes things like harassment, unsafe working conditions, significant changes to your job duties or pay, domestic violence situations, or health issues that prevent you from doing your job.

Be really careful about this - Washington ESD will investigate your quit thoroughly. I quit what I thought was a hostile work environment last year and got denied initially. Had to go through an appeal process that took months. Make sure you have solid documentation of the issues.

I was in a similar situation and used Claimyr to get through to Washington ESD to discuss my quit situation before I actually quit. The agent helped me understand exactly what documentation I'd need and how to present my case. Saved me a lot of headaches later. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that explains how it works.

honestly the whole system is set up to deny people anyway so might as well try... worst case you get denied and you're in the same spot as if you hadn't applied

The specific 'good causes' recognized by Washington state include: workplace harassment or discrimination, unsafe working conditions, domestic violence, caring for a family member with a serious health condition, employer violating labor laws, significant reduction in hours or pay, and a few others. You'll need to prove your case with evidence during the adjudication process.

Whatever you do don't just walk out without notice if you can help it. Washington ESD looks at whether you acted reasonably throughout the whole situation. Giving proper notice (when safe to do so) shows you handled things professionally.

I quit for good cause last year (domestic violence situation) and was approved for benefits. The key was having police reports and documentation from the domestic violence advocate. Washington ESD was actually pretty understanding once I provided the right paperwork. The adjudication process took about 3 weeks.

One thing to keep in mind - even if you qualify, there might be a waiting period before benefits start. And you'll still need to meet all the other requirements like actively searching for work and filing weekly claims.

Another thing - if your quit gets denied initially, don't give up. The appeal process exists for a reason. I've seen people win appeals even when the initial determination seemed pretty clear cut. Just make sure you understand the timeline for filing appeals.

My sister quit her job because her boss was harassing her and she got approved for unemployment. But she had to wait like 6 weeks for the adjudication to complete because they investigated everything thoroughly. She said it was nerve-wracking but worth it in the end.

I should mention - if you're thinking about quitting for health reasons, make sure you get medical documentation. Washington ESD will want to see that your health condition prevents you from performing your job duties and that reasonable accommodations weren't available.

Has anyone dealt with quitting because of schedule changes? My employer wants to move me from days to overnight shift and I have childcare issues that make that impossible.

the unemployment office is so backed up right now, getting through on the phone is basically impossible. took me 47 calls over 3 days just to talk to someone about my regular claim

Thanks everyone for all the helpful information! I feel much more informed about the process now. I'm going to document everything carefully and maybe try to speak with a Washington ESD agent before making my final decision.

I quit for good cause 2 years ago (unsafe working conditions at a construction site) and got approved after about 4 weeks of adjudication. The key was having photos of the safety violations and documentation that I reported them to my supervisor multiple times with no action taken.

Word of warning - even if you quit for good cause and get approved, some employers will fight it and request hearings. Be prepared for that possibility and keep all your documentation organized.

Just quit already life's too short to be miserable at work every day!!

One more tip - when you file your claim, be very clear and detailed about why you quit. Don't just say 'hostile work environment' - explain specifically what happened, when, who was involved, and what steps you took to address it. The more specific you are, the better.

Also remember that you can't collect unemployment benefits while you're still employed, so timing matters. Make sure you're financially prepared for the gap between quitting and when benefits might start.

If anyone else is dealing with getting through to Washington ESD about quit situations, I really can't recommend Claimyr enough. Being able to actually talk to an agent when you need clarification on these complex good cause rules is invaluable. The peace of mind alone was worth it for me.

I've been through a similar situation and can share some hard-learned lessons. First, make absolutely sure you understand Washington's specific definition of "good cause" before you quit. The state looks at whether a "reasonable person" would have quit under the same circumstances, and they'll scrutinize whether you exhausted all other options first. Document everything with dates, times, and witnesses. If it's harassment, save emails, texts, and write down verbal incidents immediately. If it's unsafe conditions, take photos if possible. Try to address issues through your company's HR department or management in writing - this shows you attempted to resolve things internally. Most importantly, consider calling Washington ESD BEFORE you quit to discuss your specific situation. They can't guarantee approval, but they can help you understand what documentation you'll need and whether your situation potentially qualifies. Getting this guidance upfront could save you weeks of uncertainty and potential financial hardship later. The process can take 4-6 weeks for adjudication, so make sure you have some financial cushion. But don't let that stop you from leaving a truly toxic situation - your mental health and safety matter too.