Can military spouse collect Washington ESD unemployment due to PCS orders?

That's such a relief to hear! Do I need any specific documentation besides the PCS orders?

You'll want your last pay stub, W-2 from last year, and a letter from your employer confirming you resigned due to military relocation. Washington ESD is pretty good about military spouse situations.

How long did it take to get approved? I'm worried about the waiting period.

About 3 weeks once I finally got to talk to someone. The hardest part was actually reaching a Washington ESD representative on the phone.

If you're having trouble getting through to Washington ESD, I found this service called Claimyr that helps you connect with agents. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

Military spouse relocations are considered 'good cause' for leaving employment in Washington. It's not treated as a voluntary quit in the usual sense.

Exactly! The state recognizes that military families don't have a choice when orders come down. It's specifically written into Washington unemployment law.

I'm planning to file this week. Did you eventually get approved?

yes but it took months because i waited too long to file and then had issues with my claim going into adjudication

Good tip! I'll look for that option when I'm filling out the application.

And be really detailed in the comments section about why you had to leave. Don't just put 'military orders' - explain that you're a military spouse and had no choice but to relocate.

That's encouraging! Do you know if there's a time limit on when I need to file after leaving my job?

You should file as soon as possible. There's no specific deadline but the sooner you file, the sooner you can start receiving benefits. Plus it avoids any complications with timing.

Oh I didn't think about that. How do I request an exemption for job search requirements?

You'll need to contact Washington ESD directly to discuss the exemption. This is another situation where Claimyr could help you get through to speak with someone quickly instead of waiting on hold for hours.

Yeah definitely call them about it. They were pretty understanding about my situation since I was obviously moving out of state.

For real! I've had to leave jobs before for moves and it's so frustrating to start over every time.

What exactly would trigger an adjudication review for a military spouse case?

Usually just routine verification of your eligibility. They might want to confirm the PCS orders are legitimate or verify your work history. Nothing to worry about if you have proper documentation.

Thank you! I'm feeling much more confident about filing now after reading everyone's experiences.

Don't wait! File as soon as you can. The process takes time and you want to start receiving benefits as early as possible.

Definitely file! Everyone here has been so helpful and it sounds like Washington ESD is pretty good about approving military spouse claims.

How much does something like that cost? Seems like it might be expensive.

It's worth it when you consider how much time you save not sitting on hold. Plus they have a demo video that shows exactly how it works before you commit to anything.

Spread the word! Too many military spouses don't know about this benefit and struggle financially during transitions.

I hadn't thought about that. I'll look into North Carolina's policies too.

Yeah, it can affect how long you can collect benefits and whether you need to file a new claim in your new state.

So true! I remember when it was almost impossible to get approved. Now at least most states understand the unique challenges military families face.

As long as you can show the connection between the orders and leaving your job, timing shouldn't be an issue. Sometimes people need time to find replacement workers or finish projects.

Exactly. Washington ESD understands that people don't always quit immediately when orders come down. Just be prepared to explain the timeline if asked.

Same here! I was so worried about being denied that I almost didn't apply. This thread has been incredibly helpful.

Great advice! I'll make sure to scan everything before submitting.

And take screenshots of your online submissions showing the date and time you filed. Helps if there are any disputes later about when you applied.

Agreed! I feel so much more prepared to file my claim now. Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences!