EDD eligibility for relocation over 73 miles - can we claim unemployment?

Yes, you might qualify! EDD generally considers quitting due to moving 35+ miles away as a potentially valid reason IF the move was for compelling circumstances outside your control. Financial necessity (like a massive rent increase you can't afford) can often qualify. When you apply, make sure to clearly explain that your move was due to financial necessity, provide documentation of the rent increase if possible, and emphasize that continuing your current employment isn't feasible due to the distance. You'll need to be available for work and actively seeking employment in your new location. Be prepared for an eligibility interview where they'll determine if your reason meets their criteria.

my friend moved from san diego to redding and got ui but they made her do phone interview first. make sure u say ur ACTIVELY looking for work in new city or theyll deny u

I DON'T THINK YOU'LL QUALIFY!! The EDD is EXTREMELY strict about voluntary quits. They rejected my claim when I moved for my husband's job in 2022 even though we moved 65 miles away. The interviewer kept saying I "chose" to quit and should have found a way to commute. They don't care about your personal circumstances - just looking for any excuse to deny benefits. Such a broken system!!!!!

Important distinction: this would be considered a "good cause quit" situation by EDD standards. You need to be very careful with how you word things during your application and interview. Do NOT just say you're quitting to move. Instead, emphasize that economic circumstances forced the relocation (35% rent increase is significant) and that the distance makes continued employment impossible. You should also consider requesting a transfer from your current employer if that's an option - EDD will ask if you tried to preserve employment. Be prepared to provide documentation of the rent increase and your financial situation showing you couldn't afford to stay. Both you and your spouse can apply separately since you work for different employers.

When I had to reach EDD about a similar situation (moved due to domestic violence, different but still "good cause"), I spent WEEKS trying to get through on the phone. Kept getting the "maximum callers" message. I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to an EDD rep in about 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km. Made a huge difference because I needed to explain my situation directly to someone instead of just filling out the online form. The EDD rep gave me specific advice on how to document everything properly.

i moved from la to fresno last yr bc my apartment building got sold and new owner raised rent like crazy. edd approved me but took forever liek 6 wks and they made me do interveiw. make sure u tell them exactly why u HAD to move and couldnt afford not to. good luck!!

One more thing - make sure you're actually moved BEFORE you quit and apply. If you apply while still at your current address, it can complicate things. EDD may wonder why you're not looking for work in your current area. Timing matters in these situations. Also, be aware that EDD might initially deny your claim (they often do for voluntary quits), but don't panic if that happens. You'll have the right to appeal, and many people win their appeals when they can document financial necessity for relocation.

I'm curious - why exactly did you pick Bakersfield? Do you have family there or is it just cheaper? Just wondering because I've been looking at more affordable areas too...

Based on your situation and all the advice here, you have a good case for UI benefits. To summarize the key points: 1. Your move exceeds the 35-mile threshold EDD typically considers for reasonable commuting 2. You have a compelling financial reason (35% rent increase) 3. You're moving before quitting, which is the correct order 4. You'll be actively job searching in your new location 5. You have documentation of the rent increase Just make sure both you and your spouse are very consistent in your explanations during the application and interview process. Be honest but clear that this move was a financial necessity, not a preference. Good luck with your relocation!

Just wanted to add one more tip that helped me when I was in a similar situation - when you do your EDD interview, have a timeline ready showing your rent increase notice, when you started looking for affordable housing, and when you realized you had to relocate. They really like to see that you explored all options before deciding to move. Also, if you can show that you looked for comparable housing within commuting distance of your current jobs but couldn't find anything affordable, that strengthens your case. Document your housing search if possible - screenshots of rental listings, emails to landlords, etc. It shows EDD that the move truly was your only viable option, not just a preference. Best of luck to both of you!

Something else to keep in mind - EDD may ask about your job search efforts in the Sacramento area before you decided to move. Be prepared to explain that you did look for other employment locally but couldn't find anything that would cover the increased living costs. They want to see that you exhausted local options first. Also, once you're in Bakersfield, make sure you're applying to jobs immediately and keeping detailed records of your job search activities. EDD requires 3 job contacts per week and they do audit this. I'd recommend setting up job alerts on Indeed, LinkedIn, and other sites for your new area so you can show consistent search activity. The more proactive you are about finding work in your new location, the better your case looks to EDD. You've got this!

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet - make sure you apply for unemployment benefits as soon as possible after your last day of work, don't wait! There's a one-week waiting period before benefits start, and any delays in filing can push back when you'd receive your first payment. Also, California has been pretty backed up with processing claims lately, so the sooner you get in the system, the better. When you file online, there's a section where you can explain why you left your job - this is where you want to be very clear about the financial necessity of your move and the distance making continued employment impossible. Don't just select "quit" without providing the detailed explanation. The initial application is your first chance to tell your story properly, so take your time with it and be thorough. You've gotten great advice here about documentation and interviews, but getting that initial application filed quickly and completely is crucial too.

I went through something very similar when I had to relocate from San Jose to Modesto due to housing costs. Here's what I learned: EDD will likely approve your claim since you're moving 73+ miles for financial necessity, but be prepared for them to really scrutinize your situation. They asked me detailed questions about why I couldn't find affordable housing closer to work, whether I considered getting roommates, if I looked for higher-paying jobs locally, etc. Having documentation is key - save that rent increase email, take screenshots of rental listings you looked at in Sacramento that were still too expensive, and maybe even document some job listings you applied for locally that didn't pay enough to cover the new rent. Also, start your job search in Bakersfield immediately and keep meticulous records. I used a simple spreadsheet to track every application, and EDD actually asked to see it during my interview. The whole process took about 5 weeks for me, but I was approved. The financial hardship angle is strong, especially with a 35% rent increase - that's exactly the kind of "compelling circumstances" they look for. Both you and your spouse should be able to apply separately since you work for different employers. Hang in there!

I work at a local workforce development center and see situations like this frequently. Your case has several strong elements that typically lead to approval: the 73+ mile distance, documented financial necessity (35% rent increase), and the fact that you're relocating before quitting rather than quitting to relocate. One thing I'd add to the excellent advice here - when you file, consider mentioning any industry research you've done showing that your skills are in demand in the Bakersfield area. EDD likes to see that you've thought through the employment prospects in your new location. Also, if possible, try to line up some job interviews in Bakersfield before your last day of work. Having scheduled interviews shows EDD that you're serious about finding employment quickly and aren't just planning to collect benefits. The fact that you have family support there (brother-in-law) also strengthens your case since it shows this was a well-planned decision based on practical considerations, not an impulsive move. Document everything, be consistent in your messaging, and you should have a good chance of approval.

I've been following this thread and wanted to share my experience from when I relocated from Orange County to Sacramento in 2023 for similar financial reasons. Your situation sounds very solid for EDD approval. A few additional tips that haven't been mentioned: 1) When you do your phone interview, have specific dollar amounts ready - your current rent, the new rent amount, your monthly income, etc. They appreciate concrete numbers. 2) If you haven't already, document any conversations with your current employers about remote work possibilities. EDD may ask if you explored working from home from your new location. 3) Consider joining local Facebook job groups or professional networking groups in Bakersfield before you move - this shows continued job search effort and can provide interview opportunities. 4) Save gas receipts or calculate mileage costs for what a daily commute would cost if you tried to keep your current jobs. At 73+ miles each way, that's substantial and helps justify why commuting isn't viable. The combination of financial necessity plus the distance makes your case much stronger than people who relocate just for lifestyle reasons. You should feel confident about applying!

I'm new to this community but have been dealing with EDD for a while now. Your situation sounds very promising for approval! The 73+ mile distance combined with a 35% rent increase creating financial necessity is exactly what EDD considers "good cause" for quitting. I wanted to add one thing I haven't seen mentioned - when you file your claim, there's often a section asking about your "availability for work." Make sure you clearly indicate you're available for work in your new location (Bakersfield) and explain that you've relocated there. Sometimes people accidentally leave their availability set to their old city which can cause delays. Also, keep in mind that even if your initial claim gets denied (which happens with many voluntary quit cases), don't give up! The appeal process is where you can really present your documentation and explain your circumstances in detail. Many people win on appeal even after an initial denial. Given all the great advice in this thread about documentation and preparation, you and your spouse should be in really good shape. Wishing you both the best with your move and job search!

I haven't seen anyone mention this yet, but you should also be prepared for EDD to ask about your savings and whether you considered using emergency funds to cover the rent increase temporarily while looking for other solutions. They sometimes ask about financial resources available to avoid the move. Have an honest answer ready about your financial situation - if you don't have substantial savings or if using them would create other hardships (like not being able to afford the actual moving costs or having no buffer while job searching), make that clear. Also, since you mentioned healthcare administration and IT support as your fields, those are generally in decent demand in most CA markets including Bakersfield, which should work in your favor. EDD likes to see that you're moving to an area where your skills are marketable. One last tip - if you end up needing to call EDD and can't get through on their main line, try calling right at 8 AM when they open. The phone lines are usually less jammed for the first 30-60 minutes. Good luck with everything!

I've been through a similar situation and wanted to share some additional insights that might help. Beyond all the excellent documentation advice here, make sure you're prepared to explain your timeline clearly - when you received the rent increase notice, how much time you had to respond, and what steps you took during that period. EDD often asks about the timeline to verify that you had limited options and acted reasonably. Also, since you mentioned both you and your spouse work different jobs, make sure you coordinate your stories if EDD interviews you separately - not to be dishonest, but to ensure you're both presenting the same factual timeline and circumstances. Another thing that helped in my case was having a backup plan ready to discuss - like what you'll do if the Bakersfield job market doesn't work out, or if you'd be willing to relocate again for employment. It shows EDD you're serious about working and not just looking for benefits. Your case really does sound strong with the distance and financial necessity factors. The fact that you're planning this carefully and seeking advice shows you're approaching it the right way!

I've been reading through this entire thread and wow, what an incredibly helpful discussion! As someone who's currently facing rising rent costs in my area, I'm taking notes on all this advice even though I'm not quite at the point of needing to relocate yet. One thing I wanted to add that I learned from a friend's experience - if either of you has any documented health issues that would make a 146+ mile daily commute particularly difficult (back problems from long drives, etc.), that can be additional supporting evidence for why commuting isn't feasible. Obviously only mention this if it's genuinely applicable to your situation. Also, I noticed someone mentioned the Claimyr service earlier. While that might be helpful for getting through to EDD, just be aware that some people have reported mixed experiences with third-party services, so do your research first. Sometimes persistence with the regular EDD line (especially using that 8 AM tip) can work just as well and won't cost you anything. Your preparation level based on all these responses is really impressive. It sounds like you're documenting everything properly and thinking through all the angles. Best of luck with your move and the unemployment application process! This thread has been incredibly educational for all of us dealing with California's housing crisis.