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.

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...

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.

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.

Everyone blaming the unemployed when the real problem is how CONFUSING they make the whole tax system on purpose!! 😤

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!

Thank you all so much for the help! I can finally relax a bit knowing those fields are normal and don't mean I'll automatically owe something. I'll keep certifying weekly and I took screenshots of everything just in case. I really appreciate everyone taking the time to explain this!

I went through the exact same panic when I filed my claim a few months ago! Those overpayment and penalty fields showing $0 had me convinced I was already in trouble before I even got my first payment. But everyone here is absolutely right - it's just how the system is built. Think of it like having empty boxes labeled "parking tickets" and "late fees" on your dashboard even when you've never gotten a ticket. The boxes exist in case they're needed, but empty boxes don't mean you're getting a ticket! Keep doing what you're doing with the weekly certifications and you'll be fine.