Can you get Washington ESD unemployment if you move to a different state?

Yes you can definitely collect Washington unemployment while living in another state! I moved from Spokane to Idaho last year while on UI and had no issues. You just need to update your address in your account and keep filing your weekly claims. The key thing is you still have to be able and available for work, which means you need to be actively job searching in your new location.

Be careful though - some states have weird rules about this. I think as long as you're still looking for work and available you should be fine but definitely call Washington ESD to confirm.

I moved from Washington to California in 2023 while collecting unemployment and it was fine. The main thing is you can't move BECAUSE of the unemployment benefits - you have to have a legitimate reason like family, lower cost of living, better job opportunities, etc. Make sure you document your job search activities in your new state for your weekly claims.

ugh the whole system is so confusing. i moved from tacoma to my parents house in oregon and never had any problems but i was terrified the whole time that i was doing something wrong. kept expecting them to demand money back or something.

Just make sure you understand the work search requirements for your new state. Some states have different job search requirements than Washington but since you're on Washington unemployment you follow Washington's rules. You still need to log 3 job search activities per week.

The interstate unemployment thing is actually pretty common. I used to work in HR and we had employees move all the time while collecting benefits. The important thing is keeping Washington ESD updated on your address and continuing to meet all the requirements. If you do end up needing to talk to someone, that Claimyr service I mentioned earlier (claimyr.com) is seriously a lifesaver for getting through to actual agents.

One thing to keep in mind is that if you find work in your new state, you might need to file for unemployment in that state if you get laid off again in the future. But for your current claim, you stick with Washington ESD until it's exhausted.

I moved from Washington to Texas last year while on unemployment and had zero issues. Filed my weekly claims online the whole time, updated my address, kept looking for work. Washington ESD doesn't care where you live as long as you're meeting the requirements. Don't overthink it!

Make sure you have a good internet connection in your new place because you'll still need to file online every week. Also keep all your documentation about job searches, address changes, etc. in case they ever audit your claim.

wait can you collect unemployment in multiple states at once? like if you worked in washington but moved to oregon could you file in both places?

I've been thinking about moving too but I'm worried about losing my benefits. This thread is really helpful! OP, when are you planning to move?

Just remember that some landlords in other states might want to see proof of income, and unemployment benefits might not always count depending on the rental market. Might want to have a backup plan or co-signer ready.

The Washington ESD website actually has a FAQ about this but it's buried pretty deep. Basically they say you can live anywhere as long as you're able and available for work. The tricky part is defining 'available' - like if you move somewhere with no jobs in your field, that could be an issue.

Been collecting Washington unemployment for 4 months now and I've moved twice - once within state and once to Nevada. Never had any problems as long as I updated my address promptly and kept filing my weekly claims. The system is more flexible than people think.

One more thing - if you're driving to your new state, make sure you save receipts for moving expenses. Some of that might be deductible on your taxes, and if you find work quickly, some employers offer relocation reimbursement even for local moves.

I went through this exact same situation last year! Moved from Bellingham to Denver while collecting Washington unemployment and it was completely fine. The key things I learned: 1) Update your address immediately in your online account, 2) Make sure you can still receive mail at your new address for any important notices, and 3) Keep documenting your job search activities in your new location. I was paranoid about it too but honestly Washington ESD makes it pretty straightforward. The only time I had to call was when I had a question about work search requirements, and even then the agent was helpful and didn't give me any grief about being out of state. Portland is a great choice for tech jobs too - you'll probably have better luck there than staying in Seattle! Just make sure you're genuinely looking for work and you'll be totally fine.

I'm in a similar situation and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I've been on Washington ESD unemployment for about 6 weeks after getting laid off from my marketing job in Tacoma, and I've been considering moving back to my hometown in Arizona to be closer to family and reduce living costs. Reading all these success stories is really reassuring - I was terrified that moving would somehow mess up my benefits or get me in trouble. It sounds like as long as I update my address, keep filing weekly claims, and continue job searching, I should be fine. The stress of trying to afford rent in Washington while unemployed has been overwhelming, so knowing I have options is such a relief. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences!

I moved from Seattle to Phoenix while collecting Washington unemployment benefits about 8 months ago and it was one of the best decisions I made during my job search. The process was incredibly straightforward - I just logged into my online account, updated my address, and continued filing my weekly claims as usual. Washington ESD never questioned it or gave me any issues. The cost of living difference was huge and really took the financial pressure off, which allowed me to be more selective about job opportunities instead of taking the first thing that came along out of desperation. Phoenix has a surprisingly strong tech scene too, and I actually found more networking events and job opportunities than I expected. The key is just being honest about everything - document your job searches in your new location, keep all your records, and don't try to game the system. I found work after about 3 months in Phoenix and the whole experience taught me that the unemployment system is more flexible and reasonable than the horror stories make it seem. Good luck with your move to Portland - it's a great city with lots of opportunities!