Will ESD approve my claim if I quit due to workplace mental health issues?

I went thru something similar 5 months ago. ESD denied my claim initially. They said I didnt try to solve the problem with my employer first!!! Like talking to HR wasnt enough???

This is unfortunately a complicated area with ESD. Washington state does allow for "good cause quits" that can qualify you for unemployment, and health reasons (including mental health) can potentially qualify. However, you generally need to meet these requirements: 1. Have documentation from a healthcare provider (it sounds like you have this from your therapist) 2. Show that you made reasonable efforts to preserve your employment (like requesting accommodations, transfers, leave options, etc.) 3. Prove that staying at the job would have worsened your condition Documentation is KEY here. Make sure you have dated records of all interactions with HR, copies of emails, your therapist's notes, etc. When ESD inevitably schedules a fact-finding interview, be prepared to explain everything calmly and with documentation to back it up.

You might be able to qualify, but ESD is VERY strict about voluntary quits. They'll need rock-solid evidence. I'd suggest filing anyway and being super detailed about the mental health impacts and all steps you took to resolve the issues before quitting. Just be prepared for them to initially deny and then you'll need to appeal.

I had to call ESD about 40 times before I got through to someone who could help with my mental health-related claim last year. Totally worth it though because they helped me understand exactly what documentation I needed and how to present my case. If you're struggling to reach them (and you probably will), I discovered a service called Claimyr that got me through to ESD in about 25 minutes instead of spending days trying. They have a video showing how it works here: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3. Their website is claimyr.com. Honestly, speaking directly with an ESD agent made all the difference in getting my claim approved.

THEY WILL DENY YOU!!!! Sorry but ESD doesn't care about mental health. I quit my toxic job last year with a doctor's note and everything. Denied instantly. The appeal took FOUR MONTHS and I was still denied. The system is rigged against workers, they always side with employers. Just warning you so you don't get your hopes up.

my cousin quit her job becuz of depression after her manager kept giving her impossible deadlines and she got approved for benefits. but she had like 6 months of therapy notes so thats probly why. good luck!!

Employment law attorney here. This is indeed a gray area, but Washington's unemployment system does recognize mental health as a potential "good cause" for voluntary separation. Under WAC 192-150-055, a medical condition that was caused or worsened by your work environment can qualify as good cause if: 1. You can prove that the work environment was indeed causing or exacerbating your condition (medical documentation is essential here) 2. You made reasonable efforts to preserve your employment before quitting In practice, I recommend: - Submitting detailed documentation from your therapist specifically linking your condition to workplace conditions - Providing a clear timeline of all attempts to resolve the situation (complaints to HR, requests for transfers, etc.) - Being prepared for an initial denial and appeal process - Requesting a copy of your employer's response to your claim (they have a right to contest) About 60% of my clients with mental health-related voluntary separations eventually receive benefits, but often only after appeal.

Thank you all for the advice! I'm going to file my claim tomorrow and make sure I include detailed documentation from my therapist and all my HR communications. I'll also try using Claimyr to actually speak with someone at ESD about my specific situation. I'll update this thread after I hear back about my claim in case it helps anyone else in a similar situation.

I'm so sorry you're going through this - workplace mental health issues are incredibly difficult to deal with. I had a similar situation about 8 months ago where my job was severely impacting my anxiety and panic attacks. One thing I learned is that ESD really wants to see that you explored ALL options before quitting. Beyond just complaining to HR, they like to see evidence that you requested specific accommodations under the ADA, asked for FMLA leave, or requested a transfer to a different department/supervisor. Even if these requests were denied, having documentation that you asked shows you were trying to preserve your employment. Also, make sure your therapist's documentation is very specific about how the workplace environment was directly causing or worsening your condition. Generic statements about having anxiety/depression aren't as strong as detailed notes connecting specific workplace incidents to your symptoms. The process is stressful, but don't give up if you get initially denied. I had to appeal twice before my claim was approved, but it was worth the fight. Your mental health is valid and important!

I'm currently in a very similar situation and this thread has been incredibly helpful. I've been dealing with severe burnout and panic attacks that my doctor says are directly caused by my hostile work environment. My manager has been creating impossible situations for me and then publicly humiliating me when I can't meet unrealistic expectations. Reading everyone's experiences, it sounds like the key is really thorough documentation and showing you tried everything possible before quitting. I'm going to start documenting every incident and formally request accommodations through HR before I make any decisions about leaving. For those who have been through this process - how specific do the therapist/doctor notes need to be? Should they mention specific workplace incidents, or is it enough for them to state that the work environment is causing the mental health issues? Also, has anyone had success getting approved without having to go through the appeal process, or does it seem like appeals are almost always necessary for mental health-related voluntary quits?