Just wanted to add - when you're filling out the backdating request, make sure you have your termination documentation ready (like your final paycheck stub or separation notice). I backdated mine to my last day of work too, and having that paperwork made the process smoother. Also, don't worry too much about the exact wording for why you filed late - "personal circumstances following job loss" or "unfamiliarity with the filing process" are both totally valid. The unemployment office knows people don't always file immediately, especially when dealing with the shock of losing a job. You've got this! 💪

I'm in a similar boat - lost my job in November but just getting around to filing now. Reading through everyone's experiences here is really helpful! It sounds like being honest about the circumstances is the way to go. I was worried they'd be super strict about late filing, but it seems like they're pretty understanding when you explain the situation. Thanks to everyone who shared their stories - it's making this whole process feel less intimidating! 🙂

I actually went through this exact situation about a year ago when I moved from Manhattan to Boston while collecting unemployment benefits! You can definitely continue receiving NYS unemployment while living in Pennsylvania - it's completely legal and more common than you might think. The most important thing is to update your address in your my.ny.gov account immediately when you move. During your weekly certifications, just be honest about your location and continue demonstrating that you're actively seeking work in the Philadelphia area. Keep detailed records of your job applications there since NYS may ask for documentation of your job search activities. I never had any issues with the process, and my benefits continued smoothly as long as I met all the usual requirements. One small tip - I'd recommend keeping your current phone number for at least the first month or two to avoid any potential communication hiccups with NYS Department of Labor. The move itself won't disqualify you from benefits, so don't worry too much about it! Good luck with the relocation and job search in Philly!

I've been through this exact situation! Moved from Buffalo to Chicago last year while collecting NYS unemployment and had zero issues. The key is being completely transparent - update your address in my.ny.gov immediately and answer honestly on your weekly certifications about your location. NYS doesn't care where you live as long as you're actively job searching and available for work. I kept a simple Excel file tracking every job I applied to in Chicago (date, company, position, how I applied) just in case they asked, though they never did. Your benefits will continue normally - interstate moves while unemployed are super common. The only thing that tripped me up initially was making sure I could still access the NYS website from Illinois, but that worked fine. Don't overthink it - just update your info and keep doing what you're already doing with your weekly claims. Philadelphia has a great job market too, so this move might actually help your job search in the long run!

This thread has been such a lifesaver! I'm currently on day 2 of waiting after getting that same "claim can now be paid" email and was starting to spiral with anxiety. Reading everyone's experiences has shown me that 5-8 days is totally normal for that first payment to hit. I had no idea about checking the Payment History section or that "Pending" status is what to expect initially. Also super grateful for that automated phone line number someone shared - I've been dreading having to call and wait on hold for hours! One question for the group: has anyone had experience with the payment coming on a specific day of the week? I keep seeing Tuesday mentioned - is that when NYSDOL typically processes payments? Thanks again everyone for sharing your real experiences. This is exactly the kind of practical info that makes this whole confusing process manageable!

Hey everyone! Just wanted to jump in as someone who literally just went through this exact situation last week. I got that same confusing "claim can now be paid" email and was totally panicking because like you said, it doesn't actually say "approved" anywhere! After reading through all these helpful responses, I can confirm what everyone is saying - that email IS your approval notification, just worded in typical government-speak. Mine took exactly 6 days to hit my account via direct deposit. One thing that really helped my anxiety was setting up account alerts through my bank app so I got notified immediately when the deposit came through. Also want to echo what others have said about checking your banking info for typos - such an easy thing to overlook but can cause major delays. The most important thing is definitely keeping up with those weekly certifications no matter what. Even when you're waiting for that first payment, don't skip a week or you'll create bigger headaches for yourself. This community has been amazing for getting real-world advice that you just can't find on the official NYSDOL site. Hang in there - the hardest part is behind you now that you've got that approval email!

This thread has been so helpful! I'm actually dealing with a similar issue but with my security questions for regular claim certification. Based on all the advice here, I'm definitely going to try calling that dedicated direct deposit line first to see if they can help with security question updates in general. The tip about calling right when they open and having all documents ready is clutch. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - it's so much better getting real advice from people who've actually been through this rather than trying to navigate their confusing website! 🙌

Wow, reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful! I'm in a similar situation where I need to update my security info but wasn't sure where to start. The dedicated direct deposit line tip is amazing - I had no idea that existed. I've been putting off calling because I was dreading the wait times on the main line. Going to try calling first thing Monday morning with all my documents ready. Thanks everyone for sharing your real experiences, this is so much more valuable than the generic info on their website!

I'm going through the exact same situation! Been locked out for over two weeks after forgetting my PIN and the security questions not working. It's honestly mind-blowing that a simple 4-digit PIN can cause this much chaos in 2024. I've been reading through all these comments and the One-Stop Career Center approach seems like the clear winner - so many people have recommended it and it makes sense that they'd have direct system access. I called my local center yesterday and they confirmed they can reset PINs with proper documentation. Going to head there Monday morning with my ID, Social Security card, and recent pay stubs. The fact that we have to physically travel somewhere just to reset a PIN is absolutely ridiculous, but if that's what it takes to break free from this bureaucratic nightmare, I'm all for it! Really hoping some of the folks who try the career center route will update us with success stories. This thread has been a lifeline - knowing we're not alone in this mess makes it slightly more bearable. Hang in there everyone! 💪

I'm dealing with this exact same PIN lockout nightmare too! Been stuck for over a week now after forgetting my PIN and the security questions failing completely. This thread has been incredibly helpful - it's both reassuring to know I'm not alone and infuriating to see how widespread this issue is with NY's unemployment system. Based on everyone's experiences here, I'm definitely going to try the One-Stop Career Center approach. Just called my local office and they confirmed they can handle PIN resets in person with proper ID, Social Security card, and employment documents. They estimated about a 2-3 hour wait for walk-ins, which honestly sounds amazing compared to the endless phone holds and weeks-long fraud statement processing. It's absolutely ridiculous that we need to physically travel somewhere just to reset a 4-digit PIN in 2024, but at this point I'll take any solution that actually works! Planning to head there first thing tomorrow morning with all my paperwork ready. Will definitely update this thread with results - we need more success stories to give everyone hope in this bureaucratic maze! 🤞 Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and solutions here. This community support makes dealing with this broken system so much more bearable!