Interstate unemployment: File with WA ESD or new state after moving?
So I just relocated to Colorado from Seattle last month for family reasons, and now I've been laid off from my remote job (company is downsizing). I worked for this WA-based company for 2.5 years before moving. I'm confused about where I should file for unemployment - Washington where I worked and built up my benefits, or Colorado where I physically live now? The Colorado website seems to suggest I should file with my previous state, but I'm not 100% sure. Has anyone dealt with an interstate claim before? The whole process seems extra complicated when you've moved states.
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Alexander Evans
You ALWAYS file where you worked, not where you live now!! I moved from WA to Oregon last yr and filed with Washington ESD because thats where my wages were reported. When you file, just make sure to indicate you live out of state now - there's a question about that in the application. You'll still get WA benefits based on your WA work history.
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Ruby Garcia
•Thanks for the quick response! That makes sense. Do you know if I'll have to do job searches in Washington or can I do them in Colorado where I actually live now?
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Evelyn Martinez
You need to file what's called an "interstate claim" with Washington ESD since that's where your wage credits are. Your benefit amount will be based on your Washington earnings, but you'll follow Colorado's job search requirements since that's where you're physically located now. Make sure to indicate on your application that you've relocated to another state. You'll have to register with Colorado's workforce center as part of your requirements - that's how interstate claims work.
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Benjamin Carter
•this happend to my brother too, he moved to arizona but got wa unemployment. he said the weekly claims are the same but he had to do arizona job search things
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Maya Lewis
Just went thru this exact situation but moving to Nevada! The whole interstate claim thing is confusing af. Got denied first time cuz I didn't check some box about living out of state now, had to appeal. Make sure you're super careful filling out the application!
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Ruby Garcia
•Oh no, that sounds stressful! Was there a specific section I need to pay special attention to? I really don't want to have to deal with an appeal.
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Maya Lewis
•There's a question like "Do you reside in WA state" or something like that - obviously say NO. Then it'll ask your current address. Later there's another question about being able to accept work in WA - for that one I think you say NO again but explain you're available for work in your new state. That's the part I messed up.
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Isaac Wright
I'm going through this exact process right now (moved to Arizona last month), and I wish I had known about Claimyr from the beginning. I spent TWO WEEKS trying to get through to ESD because my interstate claim had some weird flag on it. Finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) and got connected to an agent in 20 minutes who fixed everything. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3. Seriously saved my sanity because interstate claims often need actual human help to process correctly.
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Ruby Garcia
•Thanks for the tip! I was wondering how I'd get through if I had questions. The ESD phone system is notoriously difficult from what I've heard.
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Lucy Taylor
Actually I think your situation might be different from what others are saying. Did you continue working remotely for the WA employer AFTER moving to Colorado? If so, then your employer should have started paying unemployment taxes to Colorado once you established residency there. You should check with your HR department about where your most recent unemployment taxes were paid.
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Ruby Garcia
•Yes, I worked remotely for about 3 weeks after moving before getting laid off. I'll definitely check with HR about this - hadn't even thought about the tax issue. Thanks!
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Evelyn Martinez
•This is partially correct, but for such a short period (3 weeks), Washington would still have the vast majority of the wage credits. Most companies don't immediately switch unemployment tax jurisdictions for brief periods of remote work. The simplest approach is still to file with Washington ESD and disclose the interstate nature of the claim - they'll coordinate with Colorado if necessary.
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Connor Murphy
when i moved out of state my claim got all messed up and i couldnt get the payments for like 2 months!!!! make sure u call them if anything seems wrong dont just wait. and ya file with washington its sooooo confusing tho.
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Ruby Garcia
Thank you everyone for the great advice! I just filed my claim with WA ESD and made sure to clearly indicate I've moved to Colorado. There was indeed a specific section about residence that I paid extra attention to. I also reached out to my former HR department who confirmed they were still paying unemployment taxes to Washington for me (they said they typically don't switch for employees who move unless they're staying with the company long-term). Now I'm just waiting for the claim to process and hoping there are no issues!
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Alexander Evans
•Good job! Just remember that when you do your weekly claims, you'll need to report job search activities in Colorado (3 per week). And don't forget to register with Colorado's workforce agency too - that's usually a requirement for interstate claims.
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Maya Lewis
btw anyone know if OP will get paid the WA benefit amount or the Colorado amount? cuz WA benefits are wayyy better than most states! thats the one good thing about filing with WA!
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Evelyn Martinez
•They'll receive Washington's benefit amount since that's where the wage credits were earned. You're right that WA benefits are generally higher than many states - the maximum weekly benefit in Washington for 2025 is $1,030 while Colorado's is only $767 currently. The benefit calculation uses the state where you file, not where you currently live.
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