Can you get unemployment if you relocate in Washington state?

Yes, relocating with a spouse can qualify as 'good cause' for leaving your job under Washington ESD rules. You'll need to document that your spouse's job required the move and that continuing your current job wasn't feasible. Make sure to keep records of the job offer, moving timeline, and any communication about remote work options.

I went through this exact situation last year when my husband got transferred to Vancouver WA. Washington ESD approved my claim but it took forever to get through adjudication. The key is being really clear in your initial application about why you're quitting.

Be careful about the timing though! I made the mistake of moving first and then applying, and they questioned whether I was actually available for work in Washington. You need to show you're actively looking for jobs in your new location.

If you're having trouble getting through to Washington ESD to ask questions about your specific situation, I used a service called Claimyr that actually got me connected to a real person. Check out claimyr.com - they have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me hours of calling and getting hung up on.

relocating for spouse is definitely qualifying reason but make sure you understand the job search requirements in your new area, you'll need to register with WorkSource and meet all the weekly requirements

MAKE SURE YOU DOCUMENT EVERYTHING!!! I cannot stress this enough. Washington ESD will ask for proof of why you moved, when you moved, attempts to keep your job, everything. I had to appeal my initial denial because I didn't have enough documentation.

The spouse relocation exception is covered under RCW 50.20.050. You need to prove: 1) Your spouse's employment required the move, 2) The distance made continuing your job impractical, 3) You attempted to arrange alternative work arrangements if possible. Washington ESD generally approves these if properly documented.

honestly the whole system is so confusing, why can't they just have clear guidelines posted somewhere instead of making everyone guess

My sister went through this when her husband got military orders to move to JBLM. Washington ESD approved her claim pretty quickly once they understood it was a required relocation, not just a choice to move. Military moves are a bit different but the principle is the same.

Question about job search requirements - do you have to look for jobs immediately in your new city or can you wait until after you've actually moved and settled in?

I tried calling Washington ESD about a similar situation and could never get through. Spent literally hours on hold just to get disconnected. That Claimyr thing someone mentioned earlier might be worth looking into if you need to talk to someone before making your decision.

Just want to add that you should also check if your current employer has any policies about relocations or remote work exceptions. Some companies will work with you if you explain the situation, which could save you from having to file for unemployment at all.

wait so if I move to another state entirely do I still file with Washington ESD or the new state?

Make sure you understand the difference between 'able' and 'available' for work. Moving can sometimes affect both - you need to be physically able to work and available to accept suitable job offers in your new location.

Pro tip: when you file your weekly claims, make sure you're honest about any job search limitations due to the move. If you have a week where you can't actively search because you're physically moving, report that accurately.

I actually used Claimyr recently for a different issue and it was super helpful. The person I talked to at Washington ESD was able to look at my specific case and give me exact guidance instead of general information. Definitely worth considering if you want clarity before you make the move.

Remember that even if you qualify, there's usually a waiting week before benefits start. Plan your finances accordingly since you'll have moving expenses plus the delay in unemployment payments.

Update us on how it goes! I'm in a similar situation potentially and would love to hear about your experience with the process.

One more thing - make sure your address is updated with Washington ESD as soon as you move. They send important notices by mail and you don't want to miss anything that could affect your benefits.

Good luck with your move! Seattle to Spokane is a big change but Spokane's a nice city. And from what everyone's saying here, it sounds like you should be able to get unemployment benefits to help with the transition.

I went through this exact situation two years ago when my husband got a job in Bellingham and I had to leave my position in Tacoma. Washington ESD did approve my claim, but the key was having all my documentation ready upfront. I included my husband's job offer letter, email chains showing I tried to negotiate remote work with my employer, and even a letter from HR confirming that remote work wasn't possible for my role. The whole process took about 4 weeks from application to first payment, which wasn't too bad. One thing I wish I'd known - start applying for jobs in Spokane immediately, even before you move. They really do check your job search activities and having applications submitted in your new city from day one shows you're serious about finding work there. Best of luck with your move!

I'm in a similar situation - my partner just got a job offer in Yakima and I'll need to quit my Seattle job to move with them. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly helpful! It sounds like the key is really having all your documentation ready and being able to prove you tried alternatives. I'm going to start gathering everything now: the job offer letter, emails about remote work not being possible, and I'll definitely start applying for jobs in Yakima before we move. It's reassuring to know that Washington ESD does recognize spouse relocation as good cause - I was worried they'd automatically deny it since it's technically a voluntary quit. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences!

I just want to echo what everyone else has said about documentation being key! I work for a nonprofit that helps people navigate unemployment benefits, and I see cases like yours regularly. The spouse relocation provision is well-established in Washington law, but ESD really wants to see that it was truly necessary and that you explored all options. Besides what others mentioned, I'd also suggest getting a written statement from your current employer confirming your last day of work and that remote work arrangements weren't feasible. Sometimes having that official confirmation can speed up the adjudication process. Also, when you file your initial claim, be very clear in the reason for separation section - use language like "relocating due to spouse's employment" rather than just "quit job to move." The more specific you are upfront, the less likely you'll face delays or denials later.

I've been following this thread as someone who went through a similar relocation situation, and I wanted to add one more important point that I learned the hard way. When you're gathering all this great documentation everyone has mentioned, make sure to also keep records of your job search efforts in your NEW location starting immediately. I made the mistake of only documenting my applications after I moved, but Washington ESD actually wanted to see that I was actively seeking work in Spokane from the moment I filed my claim. They consider this proof that your relocation was genuinely about finding employment opportunities in the new area, not just about moving for personal reasons. I had to scramble to recreate my early job search timeline during adjudication, which delayed my benefits by an extra two weeks. Start that job search documentation now and you'll thank yourself later!

I'm currently going through a very similar situation - my spouse just accepted a position in Olympia and we're planning to relocate from Everett next month. I've been researching Washington ESD's policies extensively and wanted to share what I've found that might be helpful. Beyond all the excellent documentation advice already given, I discovered that Washington ESD also looks favorably on cases where you can show the spouse's new job represents a significant career advancement or was necessary for their professional growth. If your spouse's Spokane position is a promotion, higher salary, or specialized role they couldn't find locally, make sure to include that context in your application. It helps establish that this wasn't just a discretionary move but a necessary one for your family's economic wellbeing. Also, I've been tracking my conversations with potential employers in Olympia using a simple spreadsheet - date, company, position, method of contact, and follow-up status. This kind of organized record-keeping seems to really impress ESD adjudicators when they review your file. Good luck with your move to Spokane - from everything I've read here, you're definitely on the right track with your preparation!

I've been handling unemployment claims in Washington for several years, and I wanted to add some specific timing advice that might help. When you submit your initial application, there's a section where you can upload supporting documents directly - don't wait for them to request additional information later. Upload everything upfront: your spouse's job offer letter, your employer's response about remote work, moving timeline documentation, and even screenshots of early job applications in Spokane. This proactive approach often helps claims get processed faster since the adjudicator has everything they need for their initial review. Also, be prepared for a possible phone interview during adjudication - they sometimes call to clarify details about the relocation circumstances. Having all your documentation organized and easily accessible will make that conversation much smoother if it happens. The fact that you're moving within Washington state actually works in your favor compared to interstate relocations, which can sometimes involve more complex coordination between state systems.

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm planning a similar move from Tacoma to Tri-Cities next year when my partner starts their new job there. Reading everyone's experiences and advice has given me a much clearer roadmap for how to handle this with Washington ESD. I'm especially grateful for the tips about starting job searches early, keeping detailed documentation, and uploading everything with the initial application. It's reassuring to see so many success stories here - makes me feel much more confident about navigating this process when the time comes. Thanks to everyone who shared their real-world experiences and professional insights. This community is such a valuable resource for situations like these that can feel overwhelming when you're facing them alone!

Just wanted to jump in as someone who went through this exact process last year! My husband got a job offer in Walla Walla and I had to leave my Seattle position. Washington ESD approved my claim after about 3 weeks of adjudication. The biggest thing that helped was having everything super organized from the start - I created a folder with my husband's offer letter, all my emails with HR about remote work not being possible, screenshots of job applications I'd submitted in Walla Walla, and even a simple timeline showing when each step happened. When they called for the phone interview (which lasted about 15 minutes), I had everything right there and could answer all their questions immediately. One tip I haven't seen mentioned yet - if your current employer offers any kind of severance or transition assistance, make sure to document that you declined it specifically because of the relocation timeline. ESD sees this as additional proof that the move was necessary rather than opportunistic. Also, don't stress too much about the process - spouse relocation is one of the more straightforward "good cause" reasons they deal with regularly!

I'm actually in the middle of this exact situation right now! My wife just got a job offer in Bellingham and we're planning to move from Vancouver in about 6 weeks. I've been following all the advice in this thread and wanted to share what I've learned so far from actually starting the process. I contacted my HR department last week to get official documentation about remote work not being available, and they were actually really helpful - they provided a formal letter stating that my position requires on-site presence and cannot be performed remotely. I've also started applying for jobs in Bellingham already and I'm keeping a detailed spreadsheet of every application. One thing I discovered that might help others - some employers in your target city are actually more responsive when you mention in your cover letter that you're relocating for your spouse's job and have a specific move date. It shows you're serious and committed to the area. I'll definitely update this thread once I go through the actual filing process with Washington ESD, but so far the preparation phase has been much more manageable thanks to everyone's detailed advice here!