Washington ESD unemployment after quitting job due to mental health - is this possible?
I've been struggling with severe anxiety and depression for months and finally had to quit my job last week because I couldn't handle it anymore. My therapist has been documenting everything and recommended I take time off. Can I still qualify for Washington ESD unemployment benefits if I voluntarily quit? I know usually you can't get UI if you quit, but I've heard there might be exceptions for medical reasons including mental health. Has anyone been through this process with Washington ESD? What kind of documentation did you need?
50 comments
Join the conversation
Natasha Kuznetsova
Yes, Washington ESD does allow unemployment benefits for voluntary quits due to medical reasons, including mental health conditions. You'll need medical documentation showing your condition made it impossible to continue working. The key is proving you had 'good cause' for quitting.
0 coins
Oliver Schulz
•That's really helpful to know! Do you know what specific medical documentation Washington ESD requires?
0 coins
Natasha Kuznetsova
•You'll typically need a doctor's statement confirming your condition and that continuing work would be detrimental to your health. Keep all your therapy records too.
0 coins
AstroAdventurer
I went through this exact situation 6 months ago. Washington ESD approved my claim but it took forever because they had to do a full adjudication review. Make sure you file your claim right away even if you're not sure - the process takes time.
0 coins
Oliver Schulz
•How long did the adjudication take for you? I'm worried about bills piling up while waiting.
0 coins
AstroAdventurer
•Mine took about 8 weeks total. I kept calling Washington ESD but could never get through to check on the status.
0 coins
Javier Mendoza
•If you're having trouble reaching Washington ESD by phone, I found this service called Claimyr that helped me get through to an actual agent. They have a website at claimyr.com and there's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ showing how it works.
0 coins
Emma Wilson
The Washington ESD will definitely scrutinize voluntary quit claims more carefully. You need to be prepared to explain exactly how your mental health condition made continuing work impossible, not just difficult or stressful.
0 coins
Oliver Schulz
•That makes sense. I have panic attacks that were getting worse at work and my therapist said I needed to prioritize my mental health.
0 coins
Emma Wilson
•Document everything - panic attack frequency, how they affected your work performance, any accommodations you requested from your employer. Washington ESD wants to see you tried other options first.
0 coins
Malik Davis
honestly the whole system is set up to deny benefits to people who actually need them. ive been fighting with washington esd for months over a different issue and they make it impossible to get help
0 coins
Isabella Santos
•I feel you on that. The phone system is a nightmare and getting actual answers is nearly impossible.
0 coins
Ravi Gupta
•Same here, spent hours on hold just to get disconnected.
0 coins
Javier Mendoza
For mental health quits, Washington ESD typically requires: 1) Medical documentation from a licensed provider, 2) Evidence the condition was work-related or significantly worsened by work, 3) Proof you explored other options like FMLA or accommodations first.
0 coins
Oliver Schulz
•I didn't request FMLA because I wasn't sure if I qualified at my company. Will that hurt my case?
0 coins
Javier Mendoza
•It might complicate things, but if your therapist can document that immediate separation was medically necessary, that could still qualify as good cause.
0 coins
GalacticGuru
•My sister had a similar situation and Washington ESD approved her claim even without trying FMLA first because her doctor said continuing work would cause serious harm.
0 coins
Freya Pedersen
Make sure you file your weekly claims while the adjudication is pending! Even if your initial claim gets denied, you want those weeks claimed so if you win an appeal, you can get backdated benefits.
0 coins
Oliver Schulz
•Good point! I'll start filing right away. Do I need to do job searches while my claim is under review?
0 coins
Freya Pedersen
•Yes, you still need to meet the job search requirements unless Washington ESD specifically waives them due to your medical condition.
0 coins
Omar Fawaz
This is exactly why I kept working through my breakdown last year... I was terrified Washington ESD wouldn't approve benefits if I quit. Ended up in the ER twice before I finally left.
0 coins
Oliver Schulz
•I'm so sorry you went through that. I hope you're doing better now. Did you ever file for unemployment?
0 coins
Omar Fawaz
•Eventually yes, and they approved it after a long fight. I wish I had known about the medical quit exceptions earlier.
0 coins
Chloe Anderson
The adjudication process for voluntary quits can be really stressful when you're already dealing with mental health issues. Consider having someone help you navigate the Washington ESD system if possible.
0 coins
Oliver Schulz
•That's a really good suggestion. I might ask my therapist if they have any resources or recommendations.
0 coins
Diego Vargas
•Actually, going back to what someone mentioned earlier about Claimyr - I used them when I needed to speak with Washington ESD about my adjudication status. Really saved me from spending hours trying to get through myself.
0 coins
Anastasia Fedorov
Document EVERYTHING from this point forward. Every conversation with Washington ESD, every piece of paperwork you submit, every medical appointment. If they deny your claim, you'll need all of this for your appeal.
0 coins
Oliver Schulz
•Should I start a spreadsheet or something to keep track of everything?
0 coins
Anastasia Fedorov
•Yes! Date, time, who you spoke with (if anyone), what was discussed, reference numbers, etc. It's a pain but worth it if you need to appeal.
0 coins
StarStrider
just want to say good for you for prioritizing your mental health. too many people suffer in silence because they're afraid of losing income. your health comes first
0 coins
Oliver Schulz
•Thank you so much for saying that. It's been really hard to make this decision but I know it was necessary.
0 coins
Sean Doyle
One thing to be aware of - Washington ESD might contact your former employer to verify the reason for your separation. Make sure your story is consistent with what you told HR when you quit.
0 coins
Oliver Schulz
•I was honest with my manager about needing to leave for health reasons. Hopefully that helps rather than hurts.
0 coins
Sean Doyle
•That should actually work in your favor. Washington ESD likes to see consistency between what you tell them and what your employer reports.
0 coins
Zara Rashid
The waiting period for adjudication is brutal when you're already stressed about money. If you have any savings, try not to touch them until you know the outcome - you might need them for living expenses if the claim gets denied initially.
0 coins
Oliver Schulz
•I have a little saved up but not much. Really hoping Washington ESD approves this quickly.
0 coins
Luca Romano
•Look into local mental health resources too - some organizations help with emergency financial assistance while you're waiting for unemployment benefits.
0 coins
Nia Jackson
My therapist helped me write a detailed letter explaining how my work environment was contributing to my anxiety and depression. Having that professional perspective really strengthened my case with Washington ESD.
0 coins
Oliver Schulz
•That's a great idea! I'll ask my therapist if they can write something similar for me.
0 coins
Nia Jackson
•Make sure they include specific details about how continuing work would have been harmful to your recovery. Washington ESD wants concrete medical reasons, not just general stress.
0 coins
Mateo Hernandez
One more tip - if Washington ESD does approve your claim, you might still need to provide periodic medical updates to continue receiving benefits. Keep seeing your therapist regularly and maintain documentation of your treatment.
0 coins
Oliver Schulz
•Good to know! I was planning to continue therapy anyway, but I'll make sure to keep all the documentation organized.
0 coins
CosmicCruiser
•Yeah, they might require medical recertification every few weeks or months depending on your specific situation and treatment plan.
0 coins
Aisha Khan
Filing online through the Washington ESD website is usually faster than calling, especially for the initial claim. The phone lines are constantly jammed but the online system works pretty well most of the time.
0 coins
Oliver Schulz
•I'll definitely try online first. Hopefully I can get everything submitted without needing to call.
0 coins
Ethan Taylor
•If you do need to call Washington ESD for any reason during this process, that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier is worth trying. I was skeptical at first but it actually got me through to an agent when I needed to check on my adjudication status.
0 coins
Molly Hansen
I'm going through something very similar right now - had to quit my retail job last month due to panic attacks that were getting worse every day. The constant stress was making my depression unbearable. I haven't filed my Washington ESD claim yet because I wasn't sure if quitting for mental health reasons would qualify, but reading through all these responses gives me hope. It's scary not having income coming in, but I know staying at that job would have made things so much worse. Thanks for posting this question - it's helping more people than just you!
0 coins
Andre Dupont
•I'm so glad this thread is helping you too! It sounds like we're in really similar situations. The panic attacks at work are no joke - I completely understand how unbearable that can get. Please don't wait too long to file your claim with Washington ESD. From what everyone here is saying, even if there's a chance of approval, you want to get the process started as soon as possible since the adjudication can take weeks. We both deserve support while we're working on getting better. Hang in there!
0 coins
Jay Lincoln
•@Molly Hansen I m'really glad this discussion is helping you too! It s'such a relief to know I m'not alone in this situation. The panic attacks really are unbearable - mine were happening almost daily at work and I just couldn t'function anymore. Definitely file your Washington ESD claim soon! From everything people have shared here, it seems like there s'a real chance for approval with proper medical documentation, and the sooner you start the process the better since it can take so long. We both made the right choice prioritizing our mental health. Wishing you the best with your claim!
0 coins
Jasmine Quinn
I went through this exact process with Washington ESD about 6 months ago after quitting due to severe depression and anxiety. Here's what helped my case get approved: 1) I had my psychiatrist write a detailed letter explaining how my mental health condition made it medically necessary to leave work immediately, 2) I documented all my symptoms and how they were affecting my job performance, and 3) I filed my claim online within a few days of quitting. The adjudication took about 10 weeks, which was stressful, but they ultimately approved it. The key is having solid medical documentation that shows continuing work would have been harmful to your health. Your therapist's records will be crucial - make sure they can provide a letter stating that immediate separation from work was medically necessary for your recovery. Don't let anyone discourage you from applying - mental health is just as valid as physical health conditions. Good luck!
0 coins