Went through this last year. You need to file both a part-year NY return and a PA resident return. NY will tax the unemployment benefits you received while you were a NY resident, but not after you established residency in PA. Your best bet is talking directly to NY unemployment - I used claimyr.com to get past the phone tree hell and got answers in 15 minutes.

I'm in a similar situation - moved from NY to FL in 2023 but kept getting NY unemployment through early 2024. From what I've researched, it seems like you'll need to file as a part-year NY resident since you lived there for part of the tax year AND received the benefits. The unemployment income should be taxable to NY for the period you received it, regardless of where you moved to. PA should give you a credit to avoid double taxation. Honestly though, with all the conflicting info in this thread, I'd recommend just biting the bullet and talking to a tax pro or getting through to NY unemployment directly to get the definitive answer for your specific dates and situation.

Just to add another perspective - I was in a similar situation last month when my retail job ended due to "restructuring" (basically they eliminated my position). Like others said, you absolutely don't need a termination letter. The NYS DOL system is actually designed to handle situations where people get verbal notice or sudden layoffs. When I filed online, I just selected "laid off" as the reason and wrote a brief explanation in the comments section about the budget cuts. They processed my claim without any issues. The key is filing quickly and being completely honest about what happened. Don't stress about the lack of paperwork - it's more common than you think!

Just to echo what everyone else has said - you absolutely don't need a termination letter! I was laid off from my office job about 6 months ago with just verbal notice (company downsizing) and filed my NYS unemployment claim that same day. The online system is actually pretty user-friendly once you get started. When it asks about separation details, there's usually an option for "laid off due to lack of work" or similar, and you can explain the budget cuts situation in the comments. The Department of Labor will handle verifying everything with your former employer directly. My advice: don't wait to file thinking you need more documentation - the sooner you file, the sooner your waiting week starts and you can potentially start receiving benefits. You've got this!

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - got fired from my delivery job last month for what they called "insubordination" but it was really because I refused to drive the company van that had faulty brakes. I kept telling my supervisor it wasn't safe and needed to be fixed, but they said I was being "difficult" and "not following orders." Finally they terminated me saying I had a "bad attitude" and wasn't "coachable." Reading through all these responses is giving me so much clarity - I had no idea that being fired for raising safety concerns could actually strengthen your unemployment case rather than hurt it. I was so worried about filing because I thought any termination would automatically disqualify me. But seeing how many people here had success, especially those who were initially denied but won on appeal, is really encouraging. I'm going to file this week and make sure to document the timeline of my safety complaints versus when the disciplinary actions started. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - this community is such a lifeline when you're navigating this stressful process!

I work for a nonprofit that helps workers navigate unemployment claims, and I want to emphasize something important that several people have touched on here: New York has some of the strongest worker protection laws in the country when it comes to safety-related terminations. What you're describing - performance write-ups that started AFTER you raised safety concerns - is textbook retaliation. NYS Department of Labor adjudicators are trained to look for these patterns. When you file your claim, be very specific about the timeline: how long you worked there without issues, exactly when you raised safety concerns, and when the performance problems allegedly started. Also, keep in mind that even if your employer contests your claim (which they probably will), that doesn't mean you'll be denied. The burden is on them to prove misconduct, not on you to prove innocence. Your case sounds strong based on what you've shared - don't let fear keep you from filing for benefits you're likely entitled to.

Hey Ellie, I went through this same situation last year and wanted to share a few tips that helped me. First, don't wait until your last day to gather your documents - start collecting pay stubs, your Social Security card, and employment records now while you still have access to everything. The NYS DOL website has a helpful checklist of what you'll need. Also, if your company offers any severance package, make sure you understand how that might affect your unemployment benefits timing. Some severance payments can delay when your benefits start. The good news is that retail workers definitely qualify as long as you meet the wage requirements, and 8 months should be enough work history. Hang in there - the process seems overwhelming at first but it's really not too bad once you get started.

I was in a similar situation a few months ago and want to echo what others have said - yes, you can definitely collect unemployment when laid off! One thing that really helped me was calling the NYS DOL customer service line right after I filed my initial claim to make sure everything went through correctly. The wait times can be long, but it's worth it to catch any issues early. Also, start thinking about your job search strategy now while you still have income. Create accounts on job sites, update your resume, and maybe even start networking. The 3 job contacts per week requirement goes by faster than you think, and having a head start will reduce your stress later. Don't let anyone make you feel bad about collecting benefits either - you've been paying into this system with every paycheck, so you've earned the right to use it when you need it.

I recently helped a friend navigate this exact situation after she got laid off from her retail job. Here's what I learned from watching her process: definitely apply! Since you were laid off (not fired for misconduct), you have a legitimate claim. The online application really isn't that complicated - just have your Social Security number, employer information for the last 18 months, and your bank details for direct deposit ready. The key thing is to apply quickly because benefits are backdated to when you first file, not when you're approved. My friend's biggest mistake was waiting 3 weeks to apply because she was nervous about the process. Even if you're actively job hunting, unemployment can provide crucial financial support while you search for the right position. The weekly certification process becomes routine pretty fast - it's just confirming you're still unemployed and looking for work. Given that you were laid off through no fault of your own, I'd say you have a very good chance of approval. Don't let fear of bureaucracy prevent you from accessing benefits you've earned through your work history!

I filed for unemployment in NY about 6 months ago after getting laid off from my customer service job, and honestly it wasn't nearly as bad as I expected based on all the scary stories online. The application process took me about an hour because I had to dig up some old employer information, but the website worked fine and was pretty intuitive. I think a lot of the horror stories come from people who either don't qualify (like if they quit or were fired for cause) or who run into complications with their work history. Since you were laid off from retail, you should absolutely apply - that's exactly what the system is designed for. My advice: gather all your employment info first (especially exact dates and employer addresses), apply ASAP since there's that waiting week, and don't stress too much about the weekly certifications - they literally take like 5 minutes once you get used to them. The job search requirement of 3 apps per week is manageable, just keep a simple spreadsheet. I ended up getting benefits for about 4 months while I found my next position, and it was a huge relief financially. Don't let anxiety keep you from getting help you've earned!