I live In california can i move to another state (georgia) and continue unemployment?

by Shawn
(Los Angeles Ca)

My wife and i live in Los Angeles and have been having a hard time lately.... We were both laid off from our jobs, and a week before that we found out we are having our first child. We are desperately seeking work here but it is seeming pretty impossible. Especially with a kiddo on the way. My question is, if we move to Atlanta Ga. to be closer to our families, can we still collect California unemployment? And also if we can... does our rate change to Ga rates? Any light you could shed on this i would greatly appreciate...

thank you


Hi Shawn,

You should still be able to collect California unemployment at the California benefit payment because California is the paying state. You will also be required to register for work in Georgia and conduct your work search per Georgia's requirements.

I think Georgia may require you to report "in person" periodically .. I'm not for certain, but as with all thing unemployment the "work search" varies state to state.

A word of caution though. I recently had a visitor who moved from California to Illinois for the same reasons you are thinking of moving.

She did everything properly per California with regard to changing her address etc.

This apparently raised an issue which prompted California to investigate an A&A issue (able and available) which in turn prompted me to head over to the California Eligibility Guide and read AA150.

You should too .. just so you know.