Can I get Washington ESD unemployment if I move to another state?

Yes, you can typically continue receiving Washington ESD benefits if you move to another state, but you absolutely MUST notify them immediately. You'll need to update your address in your account and continue meeting all the job search requirements. The key is that you have to be available for work in Washington or be willing to commute back for interviews.

Just went through this exact situation last year when I moved to Idaho. Washington ESD was fine with it as long as I kept filing my weekly claims and doing my job searches. The tricky part is you might have trouble reaching them by phone if you have questions - their phone lines are always busy.

Actually used Claimyr.com to get through to Washington ESD when I had questions about moving out of state. They have this system that calls you back when an agent is available instead of you sitting on hold forever. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me hours of trying to get through on my own.

MAKE SURE you tell them before you move, not after! I made the mistake of moving first and then trying to update my info later and it created a whole mess with my claim. They temporarily stopped my benefits while they investigated whether I was still eligible.

wait so you can collect washington unemployment even if you dont live in washington anymore?? that seems weird to me

I moved to California while on Washington unemployment and had zero issues. Just kept filing my weekly claims like normal and updated my address. The important thing is being honest about your availability for work - if you're not willing to take a job in Washington anymore, that could be a problem.

This is actually pretty common. Lots of people move while collecting benefits. The main thing Washington ESD cares about is that you're actively looking for work and available to accept employment. Geographic location is less important than your work availability.

Just remember you still have to follow all the same rules - file your weekly claims on time, do your job searches, report any work or income. Moving doesn't change any of those requirements.

If you run into any issues or have specific questions about your situation, definitely consider using a service like Claimyr to actually talk to someone at Washington ESD. Sometimes these interstate moves can trigger additional questions from the agency and it's better to address them proactively.

moved from seattle to portland in 2023 while collecting UI and washington esd was totally fine with it. just make sure your new address is updated everywhere and keep doing your job search activities

The key thing they care about is fraud prevention. As long as you're being transparent about your move and continuing to meet all requirements, you should be fine. It's when people try to hide moves or stop looking for work that problems happen.

One thing to watch out for - if you move to a state with lower cost of living, Washington ESD might ask questions about why you're not finding work in your new location. Just be prepared to explain your job search strategy.

Does anyone know if there are any restrictions on how long you can be out of state while collecting Washington unemployment? Like is there a time limit?

I think the real issue comes up if you find work in your new state. Then you'd probably want to transfer your claim or file in the new state, depending on the situation.

honestly the washington esd system is so overwhelmed right now that as long as you keep filing your weekly claims and dont cause any red flags they probably wont even notice or care that you moved

Make sure you understand the tax implications too. You might need to file taxes in both states depending on how long you're in each location during the tax year.

If you need to reach Washington ESD about this, try calling right when they open at 8am. That's usually the best time to get through. But even then it can take multiple attempts.

Bottom line - yes you can move and keep collecting Washington unemployment, but be transparent about it and keep meeting all your requirements. Don't try to hide the move or it could cause bigger problems down the road.

Just make sure your mail forwarding is set up properly so you don't miss any important correspondence from Washington ESD. Sometimes they send letters that require quick responses.

Good luck with the move! Sounds like you've got all the info you need. Just stay on top of your weekly claims and job search and you should be fine.