Relocating for Work

• Company transfers and new jobs may make moves unavoidable. If you are moving because of your spouse's work -- including a military transfer -- state unemployment programs consider this a voluntary decision. Certainly, losing one spouse's job to pursue the other's can create financial challenges, but this is not what unemployment is designed to address.
  
  

Personal and Family Issues

• Sometimes medical problems and family emergencies may require drastic changes, such as moving to another state to be closer to family. Although you may feel that the issues causing you to leave work are beyond your control and are not your fault, they also aren't the fault of your employer. Unless an employer let's you go, it's very difficult to get unemployment benefits. However, family medical emergencies and associated financial hardships may qualify you for other forms of public assistance, such as Medicaid and welfare. Your state's department of health or social services can direct you to appropriate resources.
  
  

Refusal to Relocate

• Companies experiencing hard times sometimes find the only way to save jobs is to require employees to transfer to locations with more work. If an employer says that you must relocate to keep your job and you elect not to move, your job loss will probably qualify you for unemployment benefits. States do not usually consider an employee's refusal to move "just cause" for dismissal and will treat the job loss as a layoff.
  
  

Interstate Claims

• Moving for work doesn't always work out. When moving for a transfer or to follow a new job is followed by layoffs, workers may worry about whether they can collect unemployment in a new state. If this happens, you can apply to your new state for benefits on an interstate claim. Your state unemployment insurance program will transfer funds from your previous state so that you can take advantage of former employer contributions and collect benefits. Your new state will administer the funds.