Washington ESD unemployment after quitting - can you get benefits if you resign from a job?

Generally speaking, if you voluntarily quit your job in Washington state, you won't qualify for unemployment benefits unless you have what's called 'good cause.' This means you had a compelling reason to leave that would justify quitting. The burden is on you to prove good cause when you file your claim with Washington ESD.

I actually went through this exact situation last year. I quit my job due to a hostile work environment and was initially denied benefits. Had to go through the whole appeals process with Washington ESD. The key is having documentation - emails, witness statements, anything that proves your situation. It took months to resolve and I couldn't get through to anyone at ESD to explain my case properly.

honestly the washington esd system is so messed up, even if you have good cause they'll probably deny you first just because. my friend quit due to sexual harassment at work and they still made her jump through hoops for months

Let me clarify the specific Washington ESD requirements for good cause quit claims. You need to show that: 1) You made reasonable efforts to preserve your employment, 2) The working conditions were intolerable, and 3) A reasonable person in your situation would have quit. The adjudication process will examine all these factors.

Just want to add that the definition of good cause in Washington is pretty strict. I've seen people get denied for things that seemed like obvious good cause situations. The key is really in how you present your case and having solid documentation.

I'm going through something similar right now actually. Filed my claim 3 weeks ago after quitting due to unsafe working conditions. Still waiting to hear back from Washington ESD on whether I qualify. The waiting is the worst part because you don't know if you'll get any benefits at all.

Wait, so you CAN get unemployment if you quit? I always thought quitting automatically disqualified you from benefits. This is news to me!

The whole good cause thing is subjective though. What ESD considers good cause might not match what you think is reasonable. I've seen people with legitimate reasons get denied while others with questionable situations get approved. It's frustrating.

Another thing to consider - even if you do qualify for benefits after quitting for good cause, there might be a waiting period before you can start collecting. Washington ESD sometimes imposes additional requirements or delays for voluntary quit cases.

my advice? don't quit unless you absolutely have to. try to get yourself fired instead if the situation is that bad lol. way easier to get unemployment that way

Let me provide some specific examples of what Washington ESD typically considers good cause for quitting: workplace harassment or discrimination, unsafe working conditions, significant reduction in hours or pay, changes to work duties that weren't agreed upon, or domestic violence situations. Each case is evaluated individually.

Just be prepared for a long process if you do decide to quit and file for benefits. Washington ESD doesn't make it easy, and the adjudication process for good cause quits takes forever. Make sure you have some savings to get by while waiting.

One more thing - if you do quit and file for benefits, be completely honest on your application about the reason for leaving. Don't try to make it sound like you were laid off or anything like that. Misrepresenting information to Washington ESD can result in serious penalties.

Been following this thread and wanted to share - I successfully got benefits after quitting for good cause last year. The key was having everything documented beforehand and being persistent with the appeals process when initially denied.

Update on my situation - finally heard back from Washington ESD and my good cause claim was approved! The documentation really made the difference. Still waiting for my first payment but at least I know I qualify.

For what it's worth, I quit my job last month and didn't even try to file for unemployment because I assumed I wouldn't qualify. Reading this thread makes me wonder if I should have at least tried.

Bottom line - quitting for good cause is possible but not easy. You need solid documentation, patience for the adjudication process, and probably some savings to get by while waiting. Don't quit unless you've really thought it through and have a strong case.

Smart approach OP. Just remember that if you do decide to quit, having a way to actually talk to someone at Washington ESD about your case makes a huge difference. Whether that's through multiple calling attempts or using a service like Claimyr, getting your story heard by the right person is crucial for good cause determinations.

Good luck with whatever you decide! Just remember that even if you have a strong good cause case, the process can be stressful and time-consuming. Make sure you're prepared for that before you make the jump.

This whole thread has been eye-opening. I had no idea you could potentially get unemployment after quitting. Definitely saving this information for future reference!

I went through a similar situation about 8 months ago and want to share what I learned. The Washington ESD adjudication process for good cause quits is really thorough - they'll interview you, your former employer, and sometimes witnesses. Make sure you can clearly articulate not just what happened, but also what steps you took to try to fix the situation before quitting. I kept a detailed journal of incidents and my attempts to resolve them, which the adjudicator said really helped my case. Also, don't be discouraged if you get an initial denial - about 60% of good cause quit claims get approved on appeal according to what the ESD rep told me.