just file asap and see what you get! took me 3 weeks to get my first payment but it was worth the wait. make sure you do your weekly claims every sunday

One thing to keep in mind is that you'll need to report any severance pay you received when you file - that can delay when your benefits start. Also, if you're planning to do any freelance or part-time work while collecting, you need to report those earnings each week. They'll reduce your benefit amount dollar-for-dollar after the first $143 you earn in a week. The whole process can be confusing but definitely file sooner rather than later since there's usually a waiting period.

The system is so rigged in favor of employers. They know most people can't afford lawyers to fight back so they just lie with impunity. Even if you win your unemployment case, there's rarely any consequences for them providing false information. It's infuriating but that's the reality.

If you have clear documentation showing they told you it was performance-related and now they're claiming misconduct, that's strong evidence of inconsistent statements. Document everything - save those emails, keep copies of your termination paperwork, and write down dates and details of any conversations you remember. During the adjudication process, present this evidence clearly and chronologically. While suing for defamation is theoretically possible, it's expensive and hard to prove damages beyond the unemployment benefits. Your best bet is to focus on winning the unemployment case first - if you can show their story changed, the adjudicator will likely rule in your favor.

also dont forget to certify every week going forward, not just the back weeks. i think the deadline is sunday but check your account

Just went through this exact same process last month! A few tips that helped me: 1) You can definitely claim all 6 weeks retroactively - that's what the system is designed for. 2) When you're filling out the weekly certifications, take your time with each one because you can't go back and edit them once submitted. 3) For the work search requirement, even if you didn't keep perfect records during adjudication, be honest about what you remember doing - checking job boards, updating your resume, etc. all count. 4) The first payment usually takes about 2-3 business days after you certify, but subsequent weeks are faster. Don't panic if there's a slight delay on the first one. You've got this!

I went through this exact situation when I moved from NY to PA about 8 months ago. Here's what actually happened: You cannot transfer benefits between states - you'll need to file a completely new claim in PA once you establish residency there. The good news is that PA will use your NY work history to calculate your benefits, but the bad news is their weekly benefit amounts are typically lower than NY's. Make sure you do a few things before you move: 1) Report your address change to NY unemployment immediately through your online account, 2) Complete your final weekly certification in NY, and 3) Apply for PA benefits as soon as you're eligible (usually after establishing residency). There will likely be a gap in payments - mine was about 3 weeks. PA's system is slower than NY's (if you can believe that). Also, be prepared for PA to have different job search requirements than what you're used to in NY. One last tip - if you're having trouble reaching NY unemployment by phone to properly close out your claim, I had success using a callback service that eliminated the endless hold times. It's worth it to make sure everything is handled correctly to avoid any fraud issues later.

I'm going through a similar situation right now - just started the process of moving from NY to PA while on unemployment. From what I've researched and heard from others here, you definitely can't transfer benefits directly between states. Each state has its own system and rules. What I'm planning to do: 1) Call NY unemployment ASAP to report my move (using that claimyr service everyone's mentioning since I can't get through either), 2) File for PA benefits as soon as I establish residency there, and 3) prepare financially for a gap in payments. One thing I learned from reading through these comments - make sure you're crystal clear about your availability for work when talking to NY unemployment. If you can still commute back to NY for jobs, there might be interstate benefit options, but if you're moving too far into PA, you'll need to start fresh with their system. The IP address flagging thing someone mentioned is scary - definitely don't want to get accused of fraud on top of everything else. Going to make sure I handle the transition properly even if it means a few weeks without income. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences, this thread has been incredibly helpful!

Final update for anyone who finds this post later: My claim was approved! It took 5 days, not the 2-3 the agent initially said, but that's still way better than waiting for weeks. I got the determination letter today and my first payment should be processed next week. The key really was talking to an actual person who could understand my specific situation. Thanks everyone for your help and advice!

Congratulations on getting approved! This thread is super helpful for anyone dealing with the furlough-to-termination situation. I'm bookmarking this for future reference. It's crazy how the system can be so inconsistent - some people wait weeks while others get approved in days. Really shows the importance of getting the right agent who understands these edge cases. Thanks for sharing your updates throughout the process!