Child care needs may qualify for unemployment.

Employees who quit aren't typically eligible for unemployment benefits. Many states, however, include a child care exemption. It says employees can still earn unemployment if they lose access to child care, are refused a requested scheduling accommodation to keep working and can't find alternative care.

Recent case: Jamie has four young children. Her shift normally began at 7:30 a.m., but her employer allowed Jamie a flexible schedule to get her kids out the door in the morning. When her day care arrangement fell through, the employer rescinded her flexible schedule.

Jamie asked what would happen if she missed work due to day care problems and was told she'd lose her...