Terminated from remote NY job while living in WA - where to file unemployment?

She needs to file in Washington where she physically lives and works, not where the company is based. This is true even for remote workers. The important factor is where the employee performs the work, not where the employer is located. Washington ESD will contact New York for wage information if needed, but she definitely applies through Washington's system.

Thanks for the quick response! That's a huge relief. She was worried about having to navigate NY's system from across the country. Any advice on what she should do if her employer tries to fight the claim?

I went through this but the opposite way - WA employer while living in Idaho. It's all about where u physically do the work. If they terminate without cause she should be fine but tell her to DOCUMENT EVERYTHING!! Did she get an email or anything saying she was fired? Or just a call? She needs to save ALL communications!

Your friend should definitely file in Washington state where she physically performed her work. Here's what she should do to prepare for a possible employer contest: 1. Document the termination details (date, time, who was present, what was said) 2. Save that "position eliminated" email - that's actually good evidence 3. Gather performance reviews if she has access to them 4. Be prepared to explain exactly what happened during the adjudication interview 5. File as soon as possible - don't wait If they're claiming "position eliminated" rather than misconduct, that actually works in her favor. Position elimination is generally considered a qualifying reason for unemployment benefits.

When my coworker got let go last year from a similar remote situation, he had the WORST time reaching anyone at ESD to help with the interstate wage questions. It took him WEEKS of calling every day to get through to someone who could actually help. He ended up using this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got him through to an ESD rep within about an hour after he'd spent days trying on his own. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ?si=26TzE_zGms-DODN3 Might be worth it if your friend runs into trouble getting answers about the NY employer situation. The interstate claims can get complicated and it's frustrating when you can't reach anyone.

EVERYONE needs to be prepared for the stupid adjudication process no matter what! The system is DESIGNED to help employers not workers!! I had perfect performance reviews and was let go for "business reasons" and they STILL put me through 6 weeks of adjudication hell!!! Tell her to make COPIES of EVERYTHING and be ready to upload proof over and over again!!! The ESD system is a JOKE!!!!

One more important thing - since her employer is in New York, there might be a slight delay as Washington ESD requests her wage information through the interstate system. This is normal, but it could add an extra week or two to the process. She should still file in Washington ASAP though, as the filing date matters for when benefits can begin. Also, Washington requires 3 job search activities per week that must be documented. New York has different requirements, but she'll need to follow Washington's rules since that's where she's filing.

Thanks everyone for the super helpful advice! I just talked to my friend and she's going to file her WA claim tonight. She's feeling much more prepared knowing what to expect with the interstate wage verification and the potential for adjudication. She also found that position elimination email and is going to save everything. Really appreciate all the insights!