Unemployment After a Job Ends
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-44-17 — a waiting week, and eight times the weekly benefit in new earnings after a quit or a firing for misconduct
Benefits are paid only for weeks after one waiting period of seven consecutive days, starting the Sunday of the week the claim was filed.
| How the job ended | Benefits |
|---|---|
| How the job endedA quit without good cause | BenefitsNone until new earnings reach eight times the weekly benefit rate |
| How the job endedA discharge for proved misconduct | BenefitsNone until new earnings reach eight times the weekly benefit rate |
- Sexual harassment.
- Following a spouse whose job moved too far to commute.
- Caring for an immediate family member's illness or disability.
- Leaving because of domestic abuse, with documentation kept confidential.
Each of those counts as good cause to quit. Misconduct means deliberate conduct in willful disregard of the employer's interest, or knowingly breaking a reasonable rule.
A particular claim is a question for the department of labor and training or a licensed Rhode Island attorney.
Sources for this section (4)
- R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-44-14 — Waiting period
- R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-44-17 — Voluntary leaving without good cause
- R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-44-17.1 — Voluntary leaving as protection from domestic abuse
- R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-44-18 — Discharge for misconduct
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Rhode Island attorney.