Does unemployment transfer from state to state - Washington ESD question

That's what I was afraid of. So I basically lose any remaining weeks I had from my old state?

Yes, but the good news is Washington ESD will calculate your benefits based on your work history from all states, not just Washington. You'll need to provide your employment info from the past 18 months regardless of which states you worked in.

How long did it take for them to process your claim? I'm worried about the gap in payments.

It took about 3 weeks total but that included some back and forth about my work history verification. The hardest part was actually reaching someone at Washington ESD to clarify some questions I had.

If you're having trouble getting through to Washington ESD, I recently discovered Claimyr at claimyr.com. They help you get connected to an actual agent without sitting on hold for hours. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works. Saved me so much frustration.

You're thinking of the Interstate Benefit Payment Plan. That's different - it lets you file your claim in the state where you worked even if you move somewhere else. But you can't transfer an existing claim from one state to another.

Oh ok that makes more sense. So the OP would still need to file a new claim with Washington ESD then.

I totally agree but unfortunately each state manages their own unemployment insurance program. The benefit amounts, duration, and requirements are all different state by state.

It just seems like such a waste when people are already struggling financially and then have to deal with gaps in benefits just because they moved.

Good point, I should start gathering all that paperwork now. Do you know if Washington ESD can look up employment records from other states automatically?

They have access to some interstate databases but it's not always comprehensive. It's better to have your own documentation ready just in case there are gaps in what they can find.

Ugh really? How long is the waiting period typically?

Washington has a one-week waiting period for new claims, but if you're eligible it should just be that first week that's unpaid. After that you should start receiving benefits if your claim is approved.

Actually the waiting period might be waived depending on when you file and your circumstances. It's worth asking Washington ESD directly about your specific situation.

Could it be higher or lower than what I was getting before?

It could go either way. Washington's maximum weekly benefit amount is pretty decent compared to some states, but it all depends on your work history and wages. You won't know for sure until they process your claim.

What are Washington's job search requirements? I was doing 2 job contacts per week in my old state.

Washington ESD requires 3 job search activities per week typically, but they have to be meaningful activities like applying for jobs, attending job fairs, or networking events. Just browsing job sites doesn't usually count.

You'll also need to register with WorkSource Washington which is their job search assistance program. It's required for most claimants.

Like I mentioned earlier, Claimyr really helped me with this exact problem. Instead of spending hours on hold, they connect you directly to an agent. Worth checking out if you're getting nowhere with the regular phone system.

Is that service legit? I'm desperate enough to try anything at this point but I don't want to get scammed.

I used them too when I couldn't get through to resolve my interstate claim questions. It's legitimate - they just help you navigate the phone system to reach an actual Washington ESD representative.

You generally want to file as soon as possible after becoming unemployed. There isn't a specific deadline for interstate moves, but the longer you wait the more complicated it can get with documenting your work history and wages.

That makes sense. I guess I should just bite the bullet and file the claim with Washington ESD this week then.

What kind of additional documentation did they want? I want to be prepared for whatever they might ask for.

They wanted proof of my California wages that wasn't just my last pay stub. I had to get wage statements from my employer and provide tax documents. Each state has different verification requirements apparently.

Unfortunately yes, each state requires its own separate claim. However, if you move while already receiving benefits from Washington, you might be able to continue your Washington claim in some cases through the Interstate Benefit Payment Plan.

This system really needs to be reformed. It's so unfair to people who have to relocate for work or family reasons.

This is another situation where getting through to an actual Washington ESD agent can help. They can sometimes expedite interstate requests or suggest alternative documentation. The phone connection services like Claimyr can be really valuable for these complex situations.

Good idea. I've been trying to handle everything online but some of these interstate issues probably need human intervention.

That's reassuring to know. I was worried that my work history from the other state wouldn't count at all.

Nope, Washington ESD looks at your work history from anywhere during their base period. You just can't transfer the actual claim itself or remaining benefit weeks.

Thanks for that tip! I'll make sure to look for that section when I file. Hopefully it will make the process smoother.

Yeah, if you mark that correctly from the beginning it should help prevent delays in processing your claim. Washington ESD will know they need to request wage information from other states.

That's good to hear at least. I've heard horror stories about some state unemployment offices being impossible to work with.

Washington isn't perfect but they do seem to have their system more organized than some places. Just be patient with the initial processing time for interstate claims.

Glad this discussion is helpful! The key thing to remember is to file your new claim as soon as possible after becoming unemployed and have all your wage documentation ready.

Definitely taking notes on all the documentation requirements and the phone contact tips too.

Great to hear you got it filed! Keep an eye on your claim status online and make sure to file your weekly claims even while it's processing.

Good reminder about the weekly claims. I almost forgot about that requirement. Hopefully the processing goes smoothly.

If you run into any issues during processing, remember that Claimyr option for getting through to Washington ESD quickly. Sometimes there are questions that come up that need clarification with an agent.