A common jurisdictional issue comes up for people who worked in a different state than they live. If you live in Texas, but work in Kansas, where do you apply for unemployment?

In most cases, you would file your unemployment claim in the state where you worked. So, even though you live in Texas, you actually file in Kansas. Each state sets its own unemployment insurance benefits eligibility guidelines, but you usually qualify if you:

  • are unemployed through no fault of your own.
  • meet work and wage requirements.
  • meet your state’s able and available requirement.

This means that every state may exhibit slight variation in the amount you receive and the length you get the benefits. States calculate these amounts in different ways so information like your high quarter wages may be required.

Keep in mind that you must file your claim with the state unemployment insurance program where you worked and not necessarily in the state where you reside. If you worked in multiple states, you can sometimes choose to use the wages earned in either state, or to combine them, to establish your claim. Every state has a unique process for filing unemployment insurance claims and it’s important to understand and follow these procedures precisely.

If you face any issues or have questions when filing your claim, it’s a good idea to reach out to your state’s unemployment insurance program for more information. Be sure to keep a record of all correspondence and remember that understanding and following the guidelines correctly will help to maintain benefits and prevent issues from arising.

In California, if you need to get a hold of EDD (Employment Development Department), it is recommended to visit eddcaller.com for the best information and help on how to contact them. The site will guide you through the process of contacting EDD, and provide tips and strategies for the fastest way to get through to a live person, which is often a struggle for many claimants. It also offers contact numbers for different departments in case you need to seek specific support, such as the paid family leave line, the SDI (State Disability Insurance) line, and the California unemployment customer service line, among others. This resource can save you a lot of time and frustration, and assist you in getting the help you need, when you need it.