Can I Travel While Receiving Unemployment Benefits?

Yes, you can travel and receive unemployment benefits under certain circumstances. You are required to be ready for work and actively seeking work in order to continue receiving unemployment benefits, which means travel for the purpose of finding a job is allowed. It is best to keep a log of your job searching activities while out of state so that you have some evidence. Also, some states will allow you to travel and continue to claim benefits in other situations, such as travel to a funeral of a family member or travel for a required medical procedure.

I haven't done any major travel since becoming unemployed, though I have gone on short trips (less than a week) to Portland, San Francisco, Vancouver BC, and Yellowstone National Park.  I had no problems receiving unemployment during these short trips, but it could be a different story if you plan to sit on a beach in Costa Rica for three months.

Check with your state's unemployment office if you will be gone for more than a week as there may be certain state-specific requirements that you need to adhere to. Click here for a table of links to each state's frequently asked questions on unemployment benefits.