Washington ESD unemployment claim if I move to another state - will I lose benefits?

You can continue receiving Washington ESD benefits even if you move to another state, but there are some important things you need to do. You MUST notify Washington ESD immediately when you move and update your address in your SecureAccess Washington account. You'll still need to file your weekly claims and meet all the job search requirements.

Just keep in mind that you'll still need to follow Washington's job search requirements even if you're living in Oregon. That means 3 job contacts per week and keeping your job search log updated. Some people think moving means different rules but it doesn't work that way.

I went through this exact situation last year when I moved from Washington to California. The key thing is staying on top of your weekly claims and keeping Washington ESD informed. I had trouble reaching them by phone at first to report my move - kept getting disconnected after waiting forever. Finally found Claimyr (claimyr.com) which helped me get through to an actual person at Washington ESD. They have a video that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ. Made the whole process so much easier.

Wait, I'm confused about this. I thought unemployment was state-specific? If you move to Oregon, wouldn't you need to apply for Oregon unemployment instead?

Make sure you understand the implications for your job search too. While you can search for jobs anywhere, Washington ESD may have specific requirements about being available for work. If you move too far away, you need to be prepared to explain how you're still available for Washington jobs if they ask.

ugh this system is so confusing! why can't they just make it simple and let you transfer benefits between states?? I've been trying to figure out unemployment rules for weeks and it feels like every answer leads to more questions

One thing to watch out for - make sure your mail forwarding is set up properly. I missed some important correspondence from Washington ESD when I moved and it caused a temporary hold on my benefits. Had to provide additional documentation to prove I was still eligible.

Just a heads up - some employers might ask about your location during interviews. Be prepared to explain that you're willing to relocate back to Washington if you get a job offer there. Shows you're serious about finding work.

I've been dealing with Washington ESD for months and honestly their phone system is terrible. Half the time I can't get through to ask simple questions like this. Really wish they had better customer service.

Quick question - does moving affect your benefit amount at all? Like if Oregon has higher cost of living, do they adjust your Washington benefits?

Don't forget to update your voter registration and driver's license too when you move. Not directly related to unemployment but you'll want to get all that sorted out.

I moved from Washington to Arizona last year while on unemployment and it was pretty straightforward once I figured out the process. The key is just staying compliant with all the requirements and keeping Washington ESD informed.

This is really helpful information! I'm in a similar situation but considering moving to Idaho. Sounds like the same rules would apply?

The job search requirement is the part that trips people up most. Make sure you're documenting everything properly because they do audit these things. Keep detailed records of all your applications and contacts.

One more thing - if you're moving for family reasons, that's totally fine and won't affect your eligibility. Just make sure you're still available and actively seeking work.

I tried calling Washington ESD about this same question last month and gave up after 2 hours on hold. Ended up finding most of my answers online but it would have been nice to talk to someone. Maybe I should try that Claimyr thing someone mentioned earlier.

Just want to echo what others have said - keep Washington ESD updated on your address and you should be fine. The system is designed to handle people moving around, especially in today's job market.

Good luck with your move! Family support is so important when you're dealing with unemployment. Sounds like you have a good plan.

This thread has been super helpful. I'm bookmarking it in case I need to reference it later. Moving while on unemployment seems less scary now that I understand the process.