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Just make sure Florida actually participates in the interstate program. Most states do but there can be weird exceptions or temporary suspensions.
Good point! @Paolo Ricci do you know where I can verify that Florida participates? I want to double-check before we finalize our moving plans.
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.
This is super helpful! @Dylan Campbell Thank you for sharing that direct phone number - that s'exactly what I needed. I m'going to call them tomorrow morning to get the process started. Did you have to provide any specific documentation when you filed the change of address with NY? And how long did it take for Florida s'CONNECT system to approve your registration?
Just wanted to add that if you're getting your unemployment via debit card instead of direct deposit, those delays can sometimes be even longer during holidays. The card issuer (KeyBank for NYS) has their own processing schedule on top of the DOL's schedule. I learned this the hard way last Veterans Day when my payment was delayed an extra day beyond what I expected. If you're in a tight spot financially, it might be worth calling KeyBank directly to ask about their holiday processing schedule too.
Oh wow, I didn't realize the debit card could have even longer delays! That's really good to know. I use direct deposit but my friend uses the KeyBank card and she's always complaining about delays. I'll definitely pass this info along to her. It's crazy how many different layers of processing can affect when we actually get our money.
I've been getting my unemployment payments for about 6 months now and can confirm what others are saying about holiday delays. The payments definitely get pushed to the next business day when there's a federal holiday. One thing I learned is to always check the DOL website or your online account dashboard - they usually post a notice about holiday payment schedules a few days in advance. It's saved me from panicking when my payment didn't show up on the expected day. Also, if you're really tight on money during these delays, some food banks and emergency assistance programs understand these timing issues and can help bridge the gap.
That's really thoughtful advice about the food banks and emergency assistance! I hadn't thought about that option during payment delays. It's reassuring to know there are resources available for those tight spots between payments. Do you know if there are specific programs in NY that are familiar with unemployment payment schedules? It would be great to have that info ready just in case future holidays cause longer delays.
That's great news about getting $578! I'm actually in a similar situation - just got laid off from a job where I made about $48K annually, but I had some freelance work earlier in the year that might boost my base period earnings. Reading through all these explanations really helps me understand what to expect. It's reassuring to see real examples of how the calculations work out in practice. Now I just need to brace myself for the potentially long wait times everyone's mentioning!
That freelance work could definitely help boost your benefit amount! Just make sure you have all your 1099s and records ready when you apply - NYSDOL will need to see documentation of all your earnings during the base period. Good luck with your application, and hopefully the wait times aren't too brutal for you!
Just wanted to share my experience as another data point - I was making $65K annually when I got laid off last fall. My weekly benefit came out to $584, so pretty close to the max. The key thing I learned is that they really do look at your highest earning quarter during the base period, not just your annual salary divided by 4. I had worked some overtime in Q2 which pushed that quarter higher than my average. Also, be prepared to wait - took about 5 weeks for my determination letter to arrive, but once it did everything moved pretty smoothly. The calculation breakdown they send is actually pretty detailed and helps you understand exactly how they got to your number.
Thanks for sharing your experience! It's really helpful to see another real example. I'm curious - when you mention overtime pushing Q2 higher, was that something you expected when you applied, or did it come as a surprise when you got your determination letter? I'm trying to figure out if I should try to calculate my own estimate beforehand or just wait to see what they come up with. Also, 5 weeks isn't too bad compared to some of the horror stories I've been hearing!
Make sure you apply as soon as possible after your last day of work! Don't wait because there's usually a one-week waiting period before benefits start. Also be prepared for potential adjudication if they need to verify your IHSS employment - it's not uncommon for non-traditional work arrangements to require additional review.
Just went through this process myself after my IHSS client moved to assisted living last month. One thing I wish I'd known earlier is to take screenshots of your online application as you go - the system sometimes times out and you lose your progress. Also, when they ask about your "employer," just put down the county or agency that processes your IHSS payments since that's technically who employs you. The whole process took about 3 weeks from application to first payment, so don't panic if it seems slow at first. Good luck Alice!
Heather Tyson
I filed my NY unemployment claim about 10 days ago after being laid off from my manufacturing job, so I'm right there with you Summer! Based on everything I've read here and my own research, it seems like most straightforward claims are processed within that 7-14 day window everyone keeps mentioning. One thing I've been doing that's helped my anxiety is setting specific check-in times rather than constantly refreshing my account. I check once in the morning around 8 AM and once in the evening around 6 PM. It keeps me informed without driving myself crazy with constant monitoring. I also wanted to echo what others have said about being proactive with your landlord. I had that conversation yesterday and was surprised how understanding mine was - apparently unemployment delays are pretty common and most landlords have dealt with this before. Having that conversation early definitely reduced my stress level. The weekly certification thing seems to be the golden rule everyone agrees on, so I've been treating that like a sacred appointment every Sunday morning. From what I understand, missing even one week can really complicate things later. Hoping we both hear good news soon! This community has been incredibly helpful for navigating all of this. Keep us posted on how things go!
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Ethan Clark
•Hey Heather! It's so reassuring to connect with someone else who's in almost the exact same timeline as me - you're just a few days ahead which is perfect for comparison. I love your approach of setting specific check-in times rather than obsessively refreshing. I've definitely been guilty of checking my account way too often and it's just making me more anxious. Going to try your morning and evening schedule starting tomorrow. You're absolutely right about the landlord conversation - I finally called mine this afternoon after reading all the advice here, and you're right that they were much more understanding than I expected! Turns out they've had several tenants go through unemployment delays over the past few years, so they know the drill. Such a relief to have that stress off my shoulders. And yes, weekly certification seems to be the one thing literally everyone agrees is crucial. I've got my Sunday morning alarm set and I'm treating it like the most important appointment of my week! Really hoping we both get good news in the next few days since you're at day 10. Please keep us updated on how your claim progresses - it would be so helpful to have someone just ahead of me sharing their experience in real time!
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Oliver Schulz
I just wanted to jump in here as someone who went through this exact same anxiety just a few months ago. Filed my NY unemployment claim in December after getting laid off from my office job, and I was absolutely panicking about the timeline too. My experience was right in that 7-14 day range everyone's mentioning - took exactly 13 days from filing to first payment. The key things that helped me: 1. Keep doing those weekly certifications religiously - this seems to be the #1 most important thing 2. Check your online account daily but try not to obsess (easier said than done, I know!) 3. Make sure you're checking the Messages section, not just payment status 4. Have backup plans ready - I talked to my landlord early, signed up for food assistance, and looked into utility payment deferrals The waiting is honestly the worst part, but it sounds like you're doing everything right. Your situation (3 years same employer, straightforward layoff) should process pretty smoothly. One thing that really helped my peace of mind was remembering that when it does come through, you'll get backpay for all the weeks you've been certifying. So even though the wait is stressful, you're not actually losing money - just having to wait longer to access it. Hang in there! Based on what you've described, I'd be surprised if you don't hear something positive within the next week or so.
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Yara Khoury
•Thank you so much Oliver! Your timeline of 13 days is really reassuring, and I appreciate you breaking down the key things that helped you. It's so validating to hear from someone who went through this exact same anxiety just a few months ago - sometimes it feels like I'm the only one who's ever been this stressed about waiting for unemployment! I'm definitely taking your advice about having backup plans ready. I've already talked to my landlord (thanks to all the encouragement here), and I'm planning to look into food assistance and utility deferrals this week. You're absolutely right that having those safety nets in place gives so much peace of mind. The reminder about backpay is really helpful too. I keep forgetting that I'm not actually losing money, just having to wait to access it. That mental shift makes the waiting feel less catastrophic. Based on your timeline and everyone else's experiences here, I'm cautiously optimistic I'll hear something in the next few days since I'm coming up on day 4. This whole community has been incredible for managing the anxiety of this process. Thank you for taking the time to share your experience!
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