Can I still receive unemployment benefits after voluntarily leaving a job?
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Can I still receive unemployment benefits after voluntarily leaving a job?
Asked on October 30, 2010 under Employment Labor Law, Illinois
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 14 years ago | Contributor
The general rule is that you cannot collect unemployment if you voluntarily quit your job. However, the reason that you leave work does make a difference as to whether or not you will qualify to receive unemployment compensation. If you quit without a good reason related to your work (ie "good cause"), you will not be allowed to receive such benefits. To get unemployment compensation after you quit, you have to show that you had both a good reason for quitting and that it was related to your job. For example, if a condition of your job makes you no longer able to work there, that can be a good work-related reason for quitting. Personal health problems that are aggravated by the job are common causes for workers to leave their jobs. However, these problems can also be difficult to prove. Additionally, in some states quitting in order to relocate with a spouse is deemed to be good cause.
Based on the limited facts that you hace presented, at this point you need to contact you stste department of labor and find out exactly what constitutes "good cause".
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