Can I collect Washington ESD unemployment if my company moves location?

That's a relief! What kind of documentation should I gather? I have emails showing I asked about remote work and they said no.

Keep all those emails! Also document the mileage between locations, your current commute time vs. the new one, and any costs like gas or wear on your vehicle. Washington ESD will want to see you made reasonable efforts to continue working.

50%? I thought it was any significant increase that made it unreasonable. My sister had to quit when her job moved 30 minutes further and she got approved.

You're right, there's no exact percentage rule. Washington ESD looks at the total impact on your ability to work, including commute time, costs, and family obligations. Each case is individual.

How long did it take for your claim to get approved? I'm worried about the income gap while they decide.

Mine took about 3 weeks to get through adjudication. I had to provide a lot of documentation about the distance, my attempts to negotiate with my employer, and why the commute was impossible for me personally. But I did get approved!

3 weeks isn't bad! I've been waiting 6 weeks for my regular claim to get through adjudication. The phone lines are impossible to get through to check on status.

Is that legit? I'm desperate at this point but worried about scams.

It's legitimate - they just help you navigate the phone system to reach an actual Washington ESD representative. I was skeptical too but it actually worked when I couldn't get through on my own.

Good point. Do I need to start the job search immediately or only after I file the claim?

You need to be able and available for work from the week you file your claim. That means actively searching and documenting your efforts in WorkSourceWA if required.

I understand the frustration, but the documentation protects everyone. It prevents fraud while ensuring people with legitimate reasons get the help they need.

i guess but when you need money for rent you dont want to wait weeks for them to decide if 4 hours commute is 'reasonable' or not

They mentioned 30 days notice but no severance. I'm not sure if Washington state has any requirements for this situation.

Washington doesn't require severance for relocations, but if they offered 30 days notice, make sure you understand how that affects your UI claim timing. You might want to coordinate when you actually stop working.

Actually, most states have similar 'good cause' provisions for employer relocations, but the specific requirements can vary. Best to focus on Washington ESD rules for this situation.

Yes, file as soon as possible after your last day of work. There's no benefit to waiting, and you want to get the process started. Make sure you have all your documentation ready when you file.

Definitely file right away. And if you run into issues or need to speak with someone at Washington ESD, remember that Claimyr service I mentioned earlier. Sometimes adjudication goes smoother when you can actually talk to an agent.

Waiting week? I thought Washington eliminated that during COVID?

You're correct - Washington eliminated the waiting week. Benefits should start from the first week you file and are eligible, as long as your claim is approved.

I'm starting a folder now. Should I also document my current commute costs vs what the new ones would be?

Absolutely! Show the financial impact too. If the new commute would cost you $500 more per month in gas and wear on your car, that's relevant to whether it's reasonable to expect you to make that commute.

Good point. Though sometimes actually trying the commute for a short time can strengthen your case if you document why it didn't work.

True, but only if it's safe and financially feasible to try. 4 hours each way could be dangerous depending on weather and traffic conditions.

It depends on your specific circumstances. 45 minutes might be reasonable for some people but not others. Factors like public transportation, childcare arrangements, and overall commute time matter.

Exactly. If that 45 minutes turns your total commute from 30 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes each way, that's a significant change. Plus consider costs and family obligations.

What document did they need? I want to make sure I have everything ready when I file.

In my case it was verification of my job search activities, but yours might be different since you're quitting for good cause. The agent was able to tell me exactly what was missing though.

Yes, I helped someone with an appeal for a similar situation. You get a hearing with an administrative law judge where you can present your evidence and explain your situation. Having good documentation is crucial.

The appeal process can take several weeks or months, so it's really important to get the initial decision right by providing complete documentation upfront.

Thank you! This thread has been incredibly helpful. I feel much more confident about the process now.

Oh good point. They mentioned they'll pay out my vacation time with my final check. Will that delay my benefits?

Vacation payout is usually considered wages for the period it represents, which could affect when your benefits start. You'll need to report this when you file your claim so Washington ESD can calculate properly.

I'm definitely grateful for that. The stress of potentially losing income on top of losing my job would have been overwhelming.

Right, I should be fine on the work history and wage requirements since I've been employed full-time for 3 years. The job search part will be new for me though.

The job search requirements aren't too bad if you stay organized. Just keep good records of where you apply and any networking activities. WorkSourceWA can help with resources too.

Thanks for all the support and advice everyone. I'll make sure to update this thread once I file my claim and hear back from Washington ESD.

That's really helpful to know about the cost-benefit analysis approach! I hadn't thought about breaking down all the financial impacts like that. $800 more per month is huge - that would probably eat up a significant portion of someone's take-home pay. Did you use any specific format or template for calculating those costs, or just create your own breakdown? I want to make sure I'm being thorough with my documentation.