ESD benefits after quitting job due to relocation - eligible?

I was in a similar situation last year. Unfortunately ESD denied my claim because they considered my move to be a 'personal choice' even though my husband's job transfer was mandatory. Did you try calling ESD to explain your specific circumstances? The adjudicator might consider your case differently depending on the details.

It depends on the specific circumstances. According to ESD rules, voluntarily quitting to relocate with a spouse/domestic partner CAN qualify for benefits, but only if the relocation was due to the spouse's: 1. Employment that is outside the existing labor market area 2. An accepted, bona fide job offer 3. Military transfer You'll need to provide documentation of your partner's job offer and proof of your relationship. The adjudicator will evaluate if staying in your job would have imposed an 'unreasonable hardship' on your family unit. Make sure all this documentation is clearly explained and submitted.

i quit my job wen we moved for my wifes job 2 yrs ago and got benefits no problem!!! u just need make sure u explain it right. they denied me at first but i appealed and won.

Have you tried updating your application through eServices to add the documentation about your partner's job offer? You can upload documents directly through the portal. Just log in, go to your claim, and look for the document upload section. Also, check if there are any questionnaires waiting for you to complete - sometimes they hide in there and delay your claim if not completed.

ESD is the WORST!!! They denied me for the exact same reason and when I appealed they said I should have 'exhausted all reasonable alternatives before quitting' whatever that means!?! Their whole system is designed to deny valid claims. Good luck actually getting a human on the phone - I tried for literally TWO MONTHS straight.

My sister went through this exact situation in 2025 when she followed her husband to Tacoma for his job. The key thing that got her approved was proving that staying at her old job would cause 'undue hardship' on their family. She had to provide: - Husband's job offer letter - Proof they were married - Letter explaining the financial impact of maintaining two residences - Cost breakdown showing the hardship Don't give up! If adjudication denies you, appeal right away.

anyone else notice how esd ALWAYS puts claims in adjudication for things that should be straightforward?? its like they want to make us wait and hope we give up. so annoying.

To answer your question about domestic partnerships - yes, Washington State ESD recognizes registered domestic partnerships the same as marriages for unemployment purposes. Make sure you have your domestic partnership registration documentation ready. Regarding adding documents to your claim, you'll need to call ESD to get specific instructions for your case. You might also try sending the documents through the secure message system in eServices, but calling is more reliable for time-sensitive adjudication issues.

Let us know how it goes! I wish I'd known about the domestic partnership rules when I was dealing with my claim. I actually gave up after my denial because the appeal process seemed so daunting. Fingers crossed your adjudication comes through quickly!

Good luck with your claim! I went through something similar when my spouse got transferred for work. One thing that really helped was creating a timeline document showing the sequence of events - when your partner got the job offer, when you gave notice, when you moved, etc. It helps the adjudicator see that this was a necessary decision, not just a voluntary choice. Also, if your former employer is willing, get a letter from them confirming that remote work or transfer wasn't an option. ESD sometimes looks more favorably on claims when they can see you explored alternatives first. The whole process is frustrating but don't give up - your situation sounds like it should qualify under the spouse/partner relocation rules.