Law

Can You Receive Unemployment Benefits If You Quit 

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Unemployment benefits are temporary payments that you can receive when you leave one job and are looking for another. You can enjoy these benefits until you find a new source of income. However, every state has different laws about who can and cannot get these benefits. To determine whether you are eligible, you can consult with a Lambertville employment lawyer.

In order to receive unemployment benefits, you must not quit your job voluntarily. If you are out of work because of some fault of your own, you would not be eligible for receiving unemployment benefits. However, if you have quit for a good cause, chances are you can still get some advantages. However, it depends on your state laws what constitutes a good or bad cause. 

Can you receive unemployment benefits if you quit?

Generally, employees who quit their jobs voluntarily do not get to enjoy the benefits. However, there are some cases of exceptions. If you had a good cause for leaving your job, you might still be eligible. So, the question arises- what constitutes a “good cause”?

Do you have a good cause for quitting?

Although different states have different laws about what constitutes good causes, some basic standards are followed in all the regions. 

When you quit your job to go back to college, start your own business or follow your passion and chase another job, you are not entitled to unemployment benefits. While these are relevant reasons for quitting your job, you only get benefits if you had no other choice but to leave. 

Unsafe working conditions, taking care of ill family members, or moving to a different place because the military has relocated your spouse can be considered good causes. In such cases, you do not have a choice. 

In which cases can you quit your job and still get benefits?

Here are a few conditions where you might receive benefits if you quit voluntarily. 

  • Medical reasons 

If you have acquired an illness or disability due to an accident, you may be eligible. Some states may require the accident to be related to work. 

  • Constructive discharge

If your workplace situation had become such that you were forced to leave your job for your physical and emotional health, you might be eligible. For example, if there was an increase in sexual assaults in the workplace.

  • To care for an ill family member

If your family member has become severely ill and cannot take care of themselves, and you cannot afford to hire services to look after them, you are eligible for benefits.