Can you resign and get unemployment benefits through Washington ESD?
I'm in a really tough spot at work - my manager has been making my life miserable for months and I'm considering quitting. But I need to know if I can still collect unemployment through Washington ESD if I resign voluntarily? I've heard mixed things about this and don't want to make a mistake that leaves me with no income. Has anyone successfully gotten UI benefits after quitting their job? What counts as 'good cause' for leaving?
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Ava Harris
Generally speaking, if you voluntarily quit your job, Washington ESD will disqualify you from receiving unemployment benefits UNLESS you can prove you had 'good cause' for leaving. The burden of proof is on you to show that a reasonable person would have quit under the same circumstances.
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Chloe Delgado
•What exactly counts as good cause though? My situation is pretty bad but I'm not sure if it meets their standards.
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Ava Harris
•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 working. You'll need documentation to support your claim.
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Jacob Lee
I quit my job last year because of a hostile work environment and initially got denied. Had to go through the whole appeal process with Washington ESD. It was a nightmare trying to get through to someone on the phone to explain my situation properly.
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Chloe Delgado
•Did you eventually win your appeal? What kind of evidence did you need?
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Jacob Lee
•Yes, but it took months. I had to provide emails, witness statements, and medical records showing the stress impact. The hardest part was actually talking to a Washington ESD agent to present my case properly.
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Emily Thompson
•The phone situation is brutal. I used Claimyr.com last month when I needed to reach an agent about my adjudication issue. Saved me hours of calling. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows exactly how it works.
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Sophie Hernandez
Whatever you do, document EVERYTHING before you quit. Keep emails, write down incidents with dates and witnesses. Washington ESD wants proof that you tried to resolve the issues before leaving.
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Chloe Delgado
•I have some emails but not a lot. Should I try talking to HR first before quitting?
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Sophie Hernandez
•Absolutely! Show that you made a good faith effort to fix the problem. If HR doesn't help or makes things worse, that actually strengthens your case for good cause.
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Daniela Rossi
this is so stupid you should be able to quit a bad job and still get help finding a new one!! the whole system is set up to keep people trapped in terrible situations
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Ava Harris
•I understand the frustration, but the system is designed to support people who lose their jobs through no fault of their own. That said, there are protections for people in genuinely bad situations.
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Daniela Rossi
•easy for you to say when your not dealing with a psycho boss every day making your life hell
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Ryan Kim
I'm curious about this too because I've been thinking about leaving my job due to scheduling changes that make it impossible for me to pick up my kids from school. Would that count as good cause?
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Ava Harris
•Significant changes to your work schedule that create hardship can potentially qualify as good cause, especially if they weren't part of your original job agreement. You'd need to show you tried to work out alternatives with your employer first.
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Ryan Kim
•Thanks, that's helpful. I did ask about flexible scheduling but they said no exceptions.
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Emily Thompson
The key thing to remember is that even if you think you have good cause, Washington ESD might initially deny your claim. Be prepared for that and know your appeal rights. I've seen people give up after the first denial when they actually had valid cases.
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Chloe Delgado
•How long do you have to file an appeal if they deny you?
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Emily Thompson
•You have 30 days from the date of the determination notice to file your appeal. Don't wait - the deadline is strict.
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Zoe Walker
I quit my job three years ago because my boss was making racist comments and creating a hostile environment. Washington ESD approved my claim after I provided witness statements and documentation of the incidents I reported to management.
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Chloe Delgado
•That's encouraging to hear. Did you have trouble getting through to someone at Washington ESD to explain your situation?
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Zoe Walker
•Oh yeah, the phone system was impossible. I probably called 200 times over two weeks before getting through to an actual person.
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Elijah Brown
•That's exactly why I ended up using Claimyr when I had issues with my claim. Their system calls Washington ESD for you and gets you connected to an agent. Way better than spending all day redialing.
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Jacob Lee
Also keep in mind that if you quit, you might face a waiting period even if they eventually approve your claim. It's not like getting laid off where benefits can start right away.
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Chloe Delgado
•How long is the waiting period usually?
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Jacob Lee
•It varies, but I've seen anywhere from a few weeks to several months depending on the complexity of the case and how backed up Washington ESD is with appeals.
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Maria Gonzalez
One thing to consider is whether you can negotiate a layoff instead of quitting. Sometimes employers will agree to let you go if you explain the situation, especially if they know you're documenting problems.
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Chloe Delgado
•Interesting idea. Wouldn't that be weird to ask for though?
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Maria Gonzalez
•It can be awkward but it's not uncommon, especially in toxic situations where both sides want a clean break. Worst they can say is no.
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Sophie Hernandez
Another option is to look for a new job while you're still employed, then quit once you have something lined up. That way you avoid the unemployment issue altogether.
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Chloe Delgado
•I've been trying but the job market is tough right now and the stress is affecting my interview performance.
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Sophie Hernandez
•I get that. Sometimes you have to prioritize your mental health, which is why the good cause provisions exist in the first place.
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Natalie Chen
whatever you decide make sure you have all your ducks in a row first. washington esd doesnt mess around with voluntary quit cases and they'll scrutinize everything
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Chloe Delgado
•That's what I'm worried about. I don't want to quit and then be stuck with no income and no benefits.
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Santiago Martinez
I had to quit due to sexual harassment and it took 6 months to get my benefits approved. The whole process was traumatizing but I'm glad I documented everything and fought for what I deserved.
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Chloe Delgado
•I'm sorry you went through that. Did you have legal help with your case?
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Santiago Martinez
•No, I handled the Washington ESD appeal myself. I did consult with an employment attorney about the harassment issue separately though.
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Emily Thompson
Just want to emphasize again - if you do decide to quit and apply for benefits, be prepared for the possibility of having to explain your situation to a Washington ESD agent. Getting through can be challenging but services like Claimyr can help if you're having trouble reaching someone.
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Samantha Johnson
•Is Claimyr worth it? I've been trying to call Washington ESD for weeks about my pending claim.
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Emily Thompson
•It worked for me. You can check out their demo video to see how it works before deciding. Much better than hitting redial 100 times a day.
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Nick Kravitz
The bottom line is that quitting doesn't automatically disqualify you, but you need a really solid case and good documentation. Washington ESD will assume you quit without good cause unless you can prove otherwise.
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Chloe Delgado
•That makes sense. I think I need to spend more time documenting my situation before making any decisions.
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Nick Kravitz
•Smart approach. Better to have too much documentation than not enough when dealing with Washington ESD.
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Hannah White
Has anyone here actually been successful getting UI after quitting without going through a long appeal process? Seems like everyone has horror stories.
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Michael Green
•I got approved on my initial application when I quit due to unsafe working conditions. Had photos, incident reports, and OSHA documentation though.
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Hannah White
•That's good to hear! Sounds like having really strong evidence upfront makes a difference.
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Mateo Silva
don't listen to all the doom and gloom here. if you have legit reasons for quitting and can document them washington esd will work with you. just be honest and thorough in your application
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Chloe Delgado
•Thanks for the encouragement. I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the requirements but I think my situation might qualify.
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Ava Harris
Final advice: if you're considering quitting, maybe consult with an employment attorney first. Many offer free consultations and can tell you if your situation meets the legal standard for good cause. It's worth the peace of mind.
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Chloe Delgado
•That's a great suggestion. I didn't realize that was an option. Thanks everyone for all the helpful advice!
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Ava Harris
•You're welcome! Whatever you decide, make sure you're taking care of yourself. No job is worth destroying your health or wellbeing.
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Victoria Jones
Good luck OP. The system isn't perfect but there are protections for people in bad situations. Just make sure you understand the process before you make your move.
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Chloe Delgado
•Will do. This thread has been incredibly helpful in understanding what I'm facing.
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NeonNebula
I just wanted to add that if you do end up quitting and applying for benefits, make sure you keep copies of everything you submit to Washington ESD. I've heard of cases where paperwork gets lost in their system and you have to resubmit documentation. Also, if you're dealing with mental health impacts from your work situation, consider getting documentation from a healthcare provider - that can sometimes strengthen your case for good cause. The whole process can be stressful but don't give up if you truly believe you have valid reasons for leaving.
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