Can I Still Draw Unemployment if I Move From Alabama to Texas?
If you are unemployed in Alabama and collecting unemployment benefits, those benefits are usually still payable if you move out of the state. Regardless of which state you move to, Alabama remains the paying state for your benefits. To maintain benefits, certain requirements must be met.
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Working in Texas
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If you are moving to Texas to work, you cannot continue to draw unemployment benefits from Alabama. Claiming unemployment benefits in Alabama while working in Texas is considered fraud. If you are caught doing this, you will be charged with an overpayment of benefits, which you are required to repay. A fraud penalty fee can also be assessed if you are found guilty of claiming benefits while employed. Penalty fees vary.
Moving and Effect on Benefits
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The act of moving from Alabama to Texas does not change your ability to collect unemployment benefits if you are eligible. In fact, you can move from Alabama to any state and continue collecting your unemployment benefits. It does not matter why you are moving as long as you continue to meet eligibility requirements.
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Eligibility Requirements
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To continue drawing unemployment benefits from Alabama once you move to Texas, you do not need to meet the eligibility requirements for Texas, but for Alabama. These are the same requirements you would have if you were still living in Alabama. You must be unemployed, able to work, and available to accept any work that is offered to you, as long as that work is in your normal profession or field.
Notifying the Alabama Unemployment Office
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Once you move out of Alabama, you are required to let the Unemployment Compensation Division of the Alabama Department of Industrial Relations know about the move. It is a simple address change notification. You must make the notification via phone by calling the call center inquiry line. The phone number is 800-361-4524.
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