Can I apply for Washington ESD unemployment if I move to another state?

Yes, you can definitely apply for Washington ESD unemployment even if you move to another state! The key is that your benefits are based on where you WORKED and paid into the system, not where you currently live. Since you worked in Washington for 2 years, you'd file your claim with Washington ESD regardless of where you move.

Just went through this exact situation last year when I moved from Seattle to California. Filed my claim with Washington ESD and had zero issues. You'll still need to do your weekly claims and job search requirements, but you can do all of that online. The only tricky part is making sure you understand Washington's job search rules even while living elsewhere.

I had a nightmare trying to get through to Washington ESD when I moved to Arizona. Spent literally hours on hold trying to update my address and ask questions about interstate claims. Finally found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get connected to an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Made the whole process so much easier.

be careful about quitting your job just to move though. if you quit voluntarily without good cause, you might be disqualified from benefits. moving for family reasons might be considered good cause but you'd need to prove that to Washington ESD

Another thing to consider - if you're planning to quit, you might want to see if you can work something out with your employer first. Maybe they'd be willing to lay you off instead, or let you work remotely from Oregon. That would make the unemployment claim much smoother.

I'm so confused about all these interstate rules. Do you have to pay taxes in both states if you're getting Washington unemployment while living somewhere else? This seems really complicated.

Just want to add that you should definitely get everything sorted BEFORE you move if possible. It's much easier to handle any issues with Washington ESD while you're still in state. I moved to Nevada and then had adjudication issues that took forever to resolve because I couldn't easily get to a WorkSource office or meet in person.

Does anyone know if there are any restrictions on how long you can collect Washington unemployment while living in another state? Like do they cut you off after a certain time?

The Washington ESD website has a whole section about interstate claims. Might be worth reading through that before you make your decision. They explain all the rules and requirements pretty clearly.

One more thing - make sure you can still access your SecureAccess Washington account from out of state. Sometimes there are weird technical issues with accessing government websites from other states.

This whole thread is making me nervous about my own situation. I might need to move to Idaho for work and I'm currently on unemployment. Sounds like I need to do some research.

I used Claimyr when I had questions about my interstate claim too. Really helpful for getting actual answers instead of just reading through endless FAQ pages. Definitely recommend if you run into any issues after you move.

Just remember that even though you can collect Washington unemployment while living elsewhere, you still need to be able and available for work. That means you need to actually be looking for jobs and available to start work if you get an offer.

The whole system seems designed to make it as confusing as possible. Why can't they just have simple rules that make sense?

Pro tip: if you do move and run into any issues with your claim, document everything. Keep records of all your communications with Washington ESD, your job search activities, and any changes to your situation. Makes everything easier if you need to appeal anything later.

I moved from Washington to Montana last year and collected unemployment for about 4 months with no issues. The key is just staying on top of your weekly claims and job search requirements. Don't let anything slide just because you're dealing with a move.

Thanks for asking this question OP! I'm in a similar situation and this thread has been super helpful. Sounds like as long as you follow the rules and keep good records, moving shouldn't be a problem for your unemployment claim.

One last thing - if you do end up needing to contact Washington ESD about your interstate claim and can't get through on the phone, that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier really does work. I was skeptical at first but it saved me hours of trying to call on my own.