Quitting agency job after contract ends - ESD benefits eligibility?

This is tricky because voluntarily quitting usually disqualifies you from benefits... BUT the significant reduction in pay (from your regular contractor salary to the $1400/month minimum) could potentially qualify as "good cause" to quit. ESD considers substantial pay reductions as possible good cause. Have you compared what percentage drop that $1400 represents from your normal pay?

im in the exact same situation right now!! my contract ended last month and my agency keeps sending me to interviews for jobs that pay way less than what i had before. i didnt quit and am collecting partial unemployment while on their minimum "bench pay" which is like $1200/month. they said i HAVE to go to these interviews or they'll terminate me which would mean full unemployment. its so frustrating!!!

ESD specialist here. This situation revolves around what's called a "substantial reduction in pay," which can qualify as good cause to voluntarily leave employment. A 75% reduction would generally meet this threshold. However, there's a complication: if this reduced "bench pay" was part of your original employment agreement, ESD might consider this an agreed-upon condition of employment rather than a new reduction. You would need to prove that remaining at this reduced pay represents a significant hardship. Your best approach would be: 1. Document the end of your contract assignment 2. File for partial unemployment while on reduced pay 3. Keep detailed records of your job search efforts (minimum 3 job search activities per week) 4. If you do decide to quit, be prepared to explain why the reduced income creates a significant hardship I'd also recommend calling ESD directly to discuss your specific situation before making any decisions, as these cases are determined individually.

Just wanted to add that I went through something similar with a different agency last year. I was receiving the "bench pay" for about 6 weeks while they looked for new contracts. I applied for partial unemployment during this time, and ESD approved it without much hassle. The key was reporting my reduced income accurately each week on my claims. I also made sure to meet all the job search requirements. Eventually I did find a direct-hire position on my own, and the agency actually wished me well. They understand this is business! One tip: Try calling ESD directly to explain your situation BEFORE you make any decisions. Getting through to them on the phone is nearly impossible though - I wasted days trying. I eventually used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an actual ESD agent in under 30 minutes. They have a video demo here: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3. It was worth it to get clear answers about my specific situation.

Be careful here. I worked for an agency that did the EXACT same thing (probably the same one tbh). When I applied for partial unemployment while on their minimum "bench pay," they contested it AND reported to ESD that I wasn't meeting their job search requirements (even though I was looking for jobs, just not the ones they wanted me to take). Got my benefits denied and had to appeal. Such a headache.

i don't think u should quit. if ur contract ends and they don't have another placement for u RIGHT AWAY, that's technically a layoff isn't it?? then u can get full benefits no questions asked. that's what happened to my boyfriend. just don't use the word "quit" at all when talking to ESD

THE AGENCIES ARE ALL SCAMS!!!! They take 40-60% of what clients pay for your work and then try to keep you trapped with these BS "bench pay" schemes. I went through THREE AGENCIES before finding a direct-hire position. They'll fight your unemployment claim no matter what because their business model depends on desperate contractors. The whole system is rigged against workers!!

Based on everything shared here, it seems like your best options are: 1. After your contract ends, accept the bench pay temporarily while applying for partial unemployment benefits AND searching for jobs independently 2. Document everything - the contract end date, communications about assignments, your job search efforts 3. If you do decide to quit later, focus on the substantial pay reduction as your "good cause" reason 4. Keep the relationship professional with the agency - don't mention unemployment to them if possible This approach gives you some income while job searching and potentially preserves the relationship if you need to go back later.