This thread has been really helpful. I'm in a similar situation and was worried about losing my benefits. Sounds like it's more straightforward than I thought.

I went through this exact same situation last year when I moved from Washington to Nevada while collecting unemployment. You absolutely can keep your Washington ESD benefits - just make sure you update your address in the system and continue meeting all the work search requirements. The most important thing is to be completely transparent about your move if they ask. I never had any issues and collected benefits for the full duration while living out of state. Oregon should be even easier since it's right next door and has a good job market. You're making a smart financial decision by reducing your living expenses while job hunting.

Don't stress too much about the process. Most people who file get approved eventually, especially if they were fired for performance rather than misconduct.

Dylan, I went through almost the exact same situation about 8 months ago - fired for "performance issues" with no prior warnings or write-ups. I was terrified I wouldn't qualify but ended up getting approved after about 3 weeks of adjudication. The key thing Washington ESD looks for is whether it was misconduct (willful wrongdoing) versus just not meeting expectations. From what you described, it sounds like you have a solid case. File as soon as possible and be completely honest about the termination reason - they'll find out anyway when they contact your employer. Also, start your job search activities right away even while waiting for approval, because you'll need to report 3 per week once benefits kick in. Don't let your former employer discourage you from filing - that's between you and ESD to determine, not them. Good luck!

Any updates? Did you make any progress with your claim? I'm curious because I have a friend PCSing to JBLM next month and I want to give her realistic expectations.

That's such great news that you finally got it resolved! I'm going through something similar right now - military spouse PCS from Fort Carson to JBLM, been waiting 3 weeks in adjudication. Your tip about the Washington address verification is super helpful. I just moved here last week and still have my Colorado ID, so I should probably get that changed ASAP. Did the Claimyr service cost anything, and how long did it actually take to get through to someone? I've been calling ESD directly for weeks with no luck.

One more important tip - make sure you print or save digital copies of ALL your weekly claim confirmations, especially the final one. ESD only keeps records accessible to you online for a limited time, and if there's ever a question or audit later, you'll want proof that you properly reported everything. I learned this the hard way!

Congratulations on getting back to work! That's such great news after 3 months on standby. Just want to echo what others have said about filing that final weekly claim - it's really important to do this properly. When you file, make sure to answer truthfully about returning to work and report any earnings from your new job, even if it's just a partial week. Also, keep in mind that if your new position doesn't work out for any reason within the first few weeks, you might be able to reopen your existing claim rather than starting completely over. Best of luck with the new job!

Welcome to Washington! As someone who went through this exact process when we PCS'd to JBLM two years ago, I can confirm that Washington ESD is very military spouse friendly. One tip I wish I'd known earlier - when you file your weekly claims, there's a section that asks about availability for work. Make sure you indicate you're available and able to work, even if you're still getting settled from the move. Also, if you're planning to pursue any certifications or licenses needed for your field in Washington (some professions have different state requirements), you can often count those activities toward your work search requirements. The transition can feel overwhelming at first, but the community here is great and there are lots of opportunities once you get established!

Just to add one more helpful resource - the Family Readiness Group (FRG) at JBLM often has informal networks where military spouses share job leads and advice about navigating the local employment scene. I found my current job through a connection I made at an FRG coffee meetup! Also, if you're looking at federal employment opportunities, USAJobs often has positions at JBLM and in the greater Tacoma/Seattle area that give preference to military spouses. The combination of unemployment benefits while actively networking and job searching really helped me land on my feet after our PCS. Don't underestimate the power of connecting with other military families who understand exactly what you're going through with this transition!