If you're having trouble getting through to NYS Department of Labor to check your wage history or get questions answered about your potential benefit amount, I used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me actually reach a live agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Was worth it for me since I couldn't get through on my own after trying for days.

One more thing to consider - if you do get laid off, file your claim immediately even if you're getting severance pay. The waiting period starts from when you file, not when the severance runs out. I made the mistake of waiting until my severance ended and lost out on a week of benefits because of the mandatory waiting week. Also, severance typically won't affect your eligibility as long as you're genuinely unemployed and available for work.

Just make sure Florida actually participates in the interstate program. Most states do but there can be weird exceptions or temporary suspensions.

Florida definitely participates in the Interstate Benefit Payment Plan! I went through this exact process when I moved from NY to Tampa last year. The key is calling NYS Department of Labor's interstate unit directly at (518) 457-2635 - they handle all out-of-state transfers. You'll need to file a change of address with NY and register with Florida's CONNECT system for job search compliance. Start this process at least 2-3 weeks before your move to avoid any payment delays. Your $420 weekly benefit amount should continue unchanged since NY remains your paying state.

I'm currently facing this exact situation too! Just submitted my unemployment application three days ago and received an unexpected job offer this afternoon. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly reassuring - it's clear that calling NYS Department of Labor directly to officially withdraw the claim is the right approach. Based on all the detailed advice shared, I'm planning to call first thing tomorrow morning at 8:00 AM with my SSN, application confirmation number, and submission date ready. It's so helpful to know that the agents are understanding about these situations and that properly withdrawing won't affect future applications. The persistence with redialing seems to be key, but knowing it typically only takes 5-10 minutes once connected makes it totally worth the effort. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this thread is exactly what I needed to feel confident about handling this properly!

I literally just went through this exact same process this morning! Applied for unemployment benefits on Monday, got a job offer yesterday, and called NYS Department of Labor at 8:00 AM today to withdraw my application. It took about 20 redials to get through, but once I connected with an agent, the whole process was super smooth and only took about 5 minutes. They asked for my SSN, full name, and application date, then immediately processed the withdrawal and gave me a confirmation number. The agent was really professional and mentioned that they actually appreciate when people call to properly withdraw claims they don't need since it helps them manage their workload better. I also got an email confirmation a couple hours later which was great for my records. Definitely call as soon as possible rather than just ignoring it - the agents handle these requests all the time and there are zero penalties. Have your info ready and be persistent with the redialing at 8 AM! Congrats on finding work so quickly - what an awesome problem to have!

I went through something very similar when my company was acquired in 2023. After 12 years there, they offered me a position with 25% less pay and called it "market realignment." I was terrified about whether I'd qualify for unemployment if I turned it down. What really helped me was documenting EVERYTHING from the moment we heard about the acquisition. I kept emails, meeting notes, even wrote down conversations with my supervisor about the changes coming. When I eventually had to apply for benefits after rejecting their offer, having all that documentation made a huge difference. The key thing I learned is that NY treats these buyout situations case-by-case, but if you can show the new offer was substantially worse than your previous position (not just salary but total compensation package), you have a good chance of getting approved. It took about 6 weeks for my claim to be fully processed, but I did get approved. Your relative should start gathering their current pay stubs, benefits information, and any communications about the buyout right now, even if it's still just rumors. Being prepared ahead of time will make things so much smoother if they do end up needing to file a claim.

Just wanted to add one more thing that might be helpful - if your relative does end up in this situation, they should also check if their company has any kind of retention bonus or severance package they might be entitled to. Sometimes during acquisitions, companies will offer these to long-term employees even if they're not legally required to. Also, I'd suggest they start networking and updating their resume now, just in case. With 25 years of experience, they're probably very valuable in their field, and having other options lined up can give them more confidence to reject a lowball offer if it comes to that. The unemployment benefits are definitely there as a safety net, but having multiple backup plans is always the best approach. Hopefully the new owners will recognize the value of experienced employees and not make drastic cuts!

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm actually going through something similar right now - my company just announced layoffs starting next month and I'm likely to be affected. Reading everyone's experiences has really clarified the key questions I need to ask HR. The distinction between "wages in lieu of notice" vs actual severance seems crucial for timing benefits. I'm also going to make sure to ask about any work restrictions during the severance period since that could affect the "available for work" requirement. One thing I'm planning to do based on the advice here is file my unemployment claim immediately when the separation happens, even before severance starts, just to get the process moving. Has anyone had experience with how long it typically takes for the initial claim to be processed in NY? I'm trying to plan out my timeline and budget accordingly. Thanks to everyone who shared their real experiences - this is exactly the kind of practical advice you can't find on official websites!

This has been such an incredibly comprehensive discussion! I'm actually in a somewhat similar situation - my company has been hinting at "restructuring" and I want to be prepared just in case. Reading through all these experiences has been like getting a crash course in severance and unemployment benefits that I never knew I needed. The key insights I'm taking away are: 1) The critical distinction between "wages in lieu of notice" vs true severance payments, 2) How payment structure (lump sum vs installments) can dramatically affect benefit timing, 3) The importance of checking for work restrictions in severance agreements, and 4) Filing unemployment claims immediately regardless of severance status. One question I have for those who've navigated this - did you find it helpful to start researching and preparing documentation before you were actually laid off, or is that just creating unnecessary stress? I'm torn between wanting to be prepared and not wanting to borrow trouble. Also really appreciate the mention of services like Claimyr for actually reaching DOL representatives - the idea of spending hours on hold during an already stressful time sounds awful. Thanks to everyone who shared their real experiences here!