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Based on all the information in this thread, here's the most accurate answer I can provide: 1. You need to report your school attendance during weekly certification 2. You need to report your change of address (even if temporary) 3. You need to demonstrate you're available for work despite being in school 4. If you're permanently relocating to Pennsylvania, you should transfer your claim 5. If you're temporarily in Pennsylvania but maintaining NY residency with intent to return, you may be able to continue your NY claim, but should get official confirmation The bottom line is you need to speak with NYSDOL directly about your specific situation before making any decisions. Different circumstances can result in different determinations.
I went through something similar when I moved to New Jersey for a training program while keeping my NY unemployment claim. Here's what I learned from my experience: The most important thing is TRANSPARENCY. When I called NYSDOL (finally got through after using that callback service mentioned), they told me that as long as I could prove I was: 1. Maintaining NY as my permanent residence 2. Available to return for work interviews/employment 3. Not letting school interfere with my ability to accept full-time work Then I could continue my claim. BUT they made me provide documentation including my lease showing it was temporary, my school schedule, and proof of my ongoing job search in NY. The agent emphasized that if you're dishonest about your situation, the penalties are severe - they can demand full repayment plus fines. She said they do track locations and cross-reference with other databases, so hiding your move isn't worth the risk. My advice: get it in writing from NYSDOL before you move. Email them your specific situation and get an official response you can refer back to if questions come up later.
This is incredibly helpful, thank you! Getting it in writing is such a smart idea - I hadn't thought of that but it makes total sense to have documentation in case there are any questions later. Did you email them through their website or is there a specific email address for these kinds of questions? I'm definitely going to follow your approach and be completely transparent about my situation from the start.
The whole NYS Department of Labor system is a joke anyway. They make it SO complicated to figure out your benefits and then half the time the website doesn't even work when you try to file your weekly claim. And don't even get me started on how long adjudication takes when they decide to review your case for no reason...
totally agree the system is frustrating but at least the benefits help pay bills while job hunting
I just went through this process myself a few months ago. @Aisha Mahmood your calculation sounds about right - with $18/hour retail work you'll probably get somewhere in the $300-350 range weekly. One thing that really helped me was creating a spreadsheet to track everything - my weekly certifications, job search activities, and benefit payments. Also make sure you file your first weekly certification right away even if you haven't received your monetary determination yet, otherwise you could lose that first week of benefits. The whole process is definitely confusing at first but once you get into the routine it becomes more manageable.
@Amina Sy That s'really helpful advice about filing the weekly certification right away! I had no idea you could lose that first week if you wait. The spreadsheet idea is great too - I m'definitely going to set that up to stay organized. Did you find the job search activity requirements hard to meet each week? I m'worried about finding enough legitimate activities to document while I m'still learning what s'out there.
Just want to add that timing matters here too. Don't let too much time pass between when your disability ends and when you file for unemployment. There are specific timeframes you need to follow, and delays can affect your claim approval.
I went through this exact situation about 8 months ago with a knee injury. The most important thing is that you absolutely cannot collect both disability and unemployment simultaneously - it's considered fraud. You need medical clearance stating you're able to work before you can file for UI benefits. What worked for me was getting a detailed letter from my doctor specifying exactly what I could and couldn't do (like no lifting over 20 lbs, no standing for more than 2 hours, etc.). Then when my employer couldn't accommodate those restrictions, I was able to file for unemployment. Just make sure you keep all your medical documentation organized because NYS Department of Labor will likely request it during the review process.
This is exactly the kind of detailed advice I was looking for! Thank you for sharing your experience. Did you have any issues with the timing between when your disability ended and when you filed for unemployment? I'm worried about any gaps in coverage while I'm waiting for my doctor to clear me for work.
Everyone blaming the unemployed when the real problem is how CONFUSING they make the whole tax system on purpose!! 😤
big facts. they could send clear instructions but noooo, gotta make it impossible to understand so they can collect penalties
Same thing happened to me! Got hit with a $920 bill for my 2021 benefits. I was SO confused because I swear the news made it sound like ALL unemployment was tax-free during the pandemic. Turns out it was just 2020. I ended up calling the tax department (took forever to get through) and they confirmed it's legit. The agent told me they've been getting hundreds of calls about this exact issue. I'm doing a payment plan now - $85/month for 12 months. Still sucks but at least it's manageable. Don't ignore it though, the penalties add up fast!
Lydia Bailey
Just to be super clear on the timeline since I had to research this for my own records: the $600 FPUC was retroactive to weeks of unemployment beginning March 29, 2020, and the last week it was paid was the week ending July 25, 2020 (though some states paid through August 1st depending on their payment schedule). New York followed the federal timeline pretty closely.
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Jamal Harris
•This is really helpful - I was getting confused because I kept seeing different end dates online. So NY definitely followed the July 25th week ending date? I want to make sure I have the right weeks counted for my tax prep.
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Ravi Sharma
•Yes, NY followed the federal timeline. The last payable week was July 25, 2020. But just to clarify - you would have received the $600 for that week ending July 25th if you were eligible for unemployment that week. So if you're counting weeks for taxes, include that final week of July. The payments might have actually been deposited a few days into August depending on your payment schedule, but the coverage period ended July 25th.
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Natasha Kuznetsova
For anyone still looking for this info, I found it helpful to know that the $600 FPUC payments should show up separately on your 1099-G tax form from the NYS Department of Labor. They're usually listed as a separate line item from your regular state benefits, which makes it easier to track exactly how much federal supplement money you received during that March-July 2020 period. Just wanted to add that in case it helps with tax prep!
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