Can you receive unemployment if you move out of Washington state?

Yes, you can generally continue receiving Washington ESD benefits if you move to another state, but there are some important requirements you need to follow. You'll still need to file your weekly claims and meet all the job search requirements. The key thing is that you have to be able and available for work, which means you need to be actively looking for jobs.

I moved from Washington to California last year while on unemployment and had no issues. Just make sure you keep doing your weekly claims and job searches. The job search requirements are still the same - you need to document 3 job search activities per week.

Just went through this myself when I moved to Idaho. The tricky part is if you need to contact Washington ESD for any reason - their phone lines are impossible to get through. I spent weeks trying to reach them about a simple address change issue. If you run into problems, there's a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that can help you get through to an actual agent. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

Make sure you understand the tax implications too. If you move to a state with no income tax, you might still owe Washington state taxes on your unemployment benefits. It's not a huge deal but something to keep in mind for next year's tax filing.

been on unemployment for 8 months now and moved twice during that time (long story involving family drama). never had any issues as long as you keep filing your claims on time. the system doesn't really care where you live as long as you're looking for work

One thing to be aware of is that some states have agreements with Washington for job search assistance, but others don't. If you move to Oregon, you should be able to use their WorkSource offices for job search help, which can count toward your job search requirements.

Wait, I'm confused. If you move out of Washington, don't you have to transfer your unemployment to the new state? That's what happened to my cousin when she moved to Texas.

The biggest thing is just making sure you can still receive mail at your new address or have mail forwarding set up. Sometimes Washington ESD sends important notices by mail and if you miss them it can cause problems with your claim.

Actually, since you mentioned graphic design, the job market in Portland is pretty good for that field. Much better than most of Washington outside of Seattle. You might find work faster there, which would be a win-win situation.

Just be careful about the timing of your move. If you're in the middle of any kind of adjudication or review process with Washington ESD, moving might complicate things. Make sure your claim is in good standing before you relocate.

I tried moving while on unemployment last year and it was a nightmare. Washington ESD kept asking for verification of my address and job search activities. Took months to straighten out.

Pro tip: if you do run into issues with Washington ESD after you move, try that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier. I used them last month when I couldn't get through about a different issue and they got me connected to an agent in like 20 minutes. Way better than the 3+ hours I was spending on hold.

don't forget to register with oregon's job service too. it's not required but it might help with your job search and they might have resources that washington doesn't

The unemployment system is so confusing. I never know what I'm supposed to do versus what I'm allowed to do. Moving while on benefits seems like it would be complicated but apparently it's not as bad as I thought.

I moved from Washington to Nevada while on unemployment and the only issue I had was with my bank. They flagged the address change and temporarily froze my account because the unemployment deposits were coming from a different state than where I lived. Had to call them to straighten it out.

Quick question - do you have to physically be in Washington to file your weekly claims or can you do it from anywhere? I travel a lot for work interviews and sometimes I'm not home on Sundays.

The bottom line is that unemployment benefits follow you wherever you move within the US. Just don't move to a different country because that gets complicated with work authorization and all that. But state to state is totally fine.

Just wanted to add that you should also think about healthcare if you're on any kind of state assistance or Medicaid. That stuff doesn't transfer between states like unemployment does, so you'll need to reapply in Oregon if you're using those services.

One thing I'd add is to make sure you keep detailed records of your job search activities, especially during the transition period while you're moving. Washington ESD might ask for documentation, and having everything organized will make your life easier if any questions come up. Also, consider setting up a Google Voice number or similar service that forwards to your cell phone - that way you have a consistent contact number for potential employers even if you're switching phone plans or providers during the move. The job market for graphic design in the Pacific Northwest is definitely interconnected between Seattle and Portland, so networking contacts you've made in Washington might actually help you in Oregon too.