How to quit your job and get unemployment benefits in Washington state

What kind of documentation do they want? I have some emails about the issues but not sure if that's enough.

Emails, text messages, witness statements, medical records if it's affecting your health, HR complaints you've filed, basically anything that proves the conditions existed and that you tried to resolve them before quitting.

How long did it take for them to approve your claim? I'm worried about the gap in income.

It took about 6 weeks because they had to do a full investigation. They contacted my former employer and interviewed me twice. But I did get approved and received back pay for the waiting period.

How much does that cost? I'm already tight on money.

It's worth checking out their site for details. For me it was better than spending hours on hold or never getting through at all. Sometimes you need to talk to someone who can explain your specific situation.

That's exactly what I'm afraid of. What was your situation if you don't mind me asking?

My boss was verbally abusive but I never filed a formal complaint with HR. I just complained to my direct supervisor. Washington ESD said that wasn't enough - I needed to go through proper channels first.

I get the frustration but there has to be some standard or everyone would just quit and claim benefits. The good cause requirement protects the system from abuse while still helping people in genuinely bad situations.

i guess but it still sucks when you're stuck in a bad situation

That's a good idea. Do you know if there are any free legal services in Washington for employment issues?

Yes, try the Northwest Justice Project or legal aid societies in your area. Many unions also offer legal assistance even for non-members in some cases.

How much should I try to save up? I'm trying to plan this out.

I'd say at least 2-3 months of expenses to be safe. The investigation took 5 weeks in my case and then another week to get the first payment processed.

What counts as job search activities? I want to make sure I'm doing everything right.

You need to log at least 3 work search activities per week on the Washington ESD website. This includes applying for jobs, attending job fairs, networking events, interviews, etc. Keep detailed records.

How does Claimyr work exactly? Do they just help you get through to someone?

Yeah they help you get connected to an actual Washington ESD agent instead of sitting on hold forever. Check out their demo video to see how it works - really straightforward.

What's an example of something that wouldn't count?

Like if you quit because you got a better offer somewhere else but the new job fell through, or if you quit for health reasons not caused by work, or childcare issues. Those are valid reasons to quit but not good cause for unemployment.

How long do you have to file an appeal?

You have 30 days from the date of the denial letter to file an appeal. The appeals process takes longer but gives you a better chance to explain your situation in detail.

Did you have to provide witness statements? How did that work?

yeah i had two coworkers write statements about what they witnessed. just basic stuff about what they saw and heard. helped back up my story

That's a good point. Are there any Washington state specific programs I should look into?

Check out Washington Connection for food assistance and the Washington Health Benefit Exchange for healthcare options. Both have quick application processes.

That seems risky though. What if they fire you for cause? Then you'd be in an even worse position for unemployment.

True, you have to be strategic about it. But if you're already dealing with harassment or unsafe conditions, filing complaints might either fix the problem or lead to retaliation that gets you fired for protected activity.

I've been trying but it's hard to interview when my current job is so demanding. I'm working 60+ hour weeks in this toxic environment.

I totally understand. In that case, document the excessive hours as part of your good cause case. Unreasonable work demands can qualify as good cause in some situations.

How strict are they about the weekly claims? What happens if you forget to file one week?

Pretty strict. You can sometimes get it reinstated if you have a good reason for missing but it's a hassle. Set a reminder on your phone for the same day every week.

Thanks everyone for all the advice. This gives me a lot to think about and a better understanding of what I'm facing.

Good luck with whatever you decide. And remember, if you need to talk to Washington ESD about your specific situation, services like Claimyr can help you actually get through to someone instead of waiting on hold forever.