The Employment Security Department has adopted a final rule amending WAC 192-150-110, which outlines eligibility for unemployment benefits due to mandatory military transfers. The revision ensures that individuals who leave their jobs to relocate with a spouse or domestic partner transferred under military orders now have expanded protection, explicitly including those serving in the U.S. Space Force.
Previously, the regulation did not recognize the Space Force, a distinct military branch established in 2019, as part of the armed services for the purposes of this rule. With over 14,000 personnel, the Space Force operates under the Department of the Air Force but functions as a separate entity.
The updated rule aligns the definition of “military” with all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, ensuring fair and consistent application of unemployment benefits.
This change goes into effect on May 2, 2025. For more details, visit the Employment Security Department’s rulemaking homepage.
