Each state in the USA has its own requirements for who is eligible for unemployment benefits, including what counts as ‘good cause’ to leave your job.
Some states have a strict definition of what good cause is, solely covering absences due to employment-related causes.
However, in California, workers who leave their jobs for good cause – whether it’s personal or professional – may be entitled to benefits.
Can you get unemployment benefits if you quit your job due to stress?
Californians must be unemployed due to someone else’s fault in order to be eligible for unemployment benefits.
You most likely won’t be qualified for unemployment if you left your work voluntarily without a valid reason.
However, there are situations when the definition of voluntary behavior is ambiguous.
For instance, in the event the employee was already going to lose their job, it is not regarded as a voluntary quit if the company gives them the option to leave rather than having them fired. In this case, they are not eligible for unemployment benefits.
If your presence is necessary to care for a seriously ill family member, then you could receive unemployment benefits.
The same could happen in the event you need to quit to more elsewhere with your spouse or in case you or your children have been subjected to domestic violence.
However, it should be noted that stress is not considered as ‘good cause’ by the California state, which means that you may not be eligible for unemployment benefits in the event you quit for that reason.
How do you challenge California ‘good cause’ unemployment claims?
“[If you quit or get fired] we will schedule a phone interview to discuss your claim and circumstances,” reads the California Employment Development Department official website.
“If you quit, you must prove good cause for quitting. If you are fired, your employer must prove there was misconduct. Either party can disagree with the decision and file an appeal.”
