BOR 118676 (2011)

Claimant who knew she would soon be without health insurance when divorce became final, left her job (16-24 hours per week) for new part-time permanent job that offered more hours (24-32 hours per week) and health benefits. This new job was eliminated because of budget cuts, and her original employer had since filled the job she left.

BOR affirmed denial of benefits on two grounds:  

First, G.L. c. 151A, section 25(e)(2) provides that "[n]o disqualification shall be imposed if such individual establishes...that he left employment in good faith to accept new employment on a permanent full-time basis, and that he became separated from such new employment for good cause attributable to the new employing unit."  Employment for between 24-32 hours per week is not full-time and therefore the claimant is not covered under 25(e)(2).

Second, BOR declined to consider whether claimant left job for urgent, compelling and necessitous reasons by virtue of reasonable belief that she was in danger of losing health care coverage.