NYS Department of Labor unemployment transfer - does unemployment transfer from state to state?
I'm getting really confused about unemployment transfers between states. I've been collecting unemployment here in NY for about 8 weeks now, but my husband just got a job offer in another state and we're thinking about moving. Does my NYS Department of Labor unemployment automatically transfer if I move? Do I have to start over completely with a new claim? I've been searching online but can't find clear answers about how this works with interstate moves. Has anyone dealt with transferring unemployment benefits when relocating?
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Fatima Al-Hashimi
Unfortunately unemployment benefits don't automatically transfer between states. Each state has its own unemployment insurance program with different rules and benefit amounts. You would typically need to file a new claim in your new state of residence, but there are some exceptions depending on your work history and which states are involved.
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Giovanni Conti
•That's what I was afraid of. So I'd lose all my remaining weeks with NYS Department of Labor and have to qualify all over again in the new state?
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NeonNova
Actually it depends on your work history! If you worked in NY recently enough, you might be able to file an interstate claim in your new state using your NY wages. The new state would handle your claim but use your NY employment record to determine eligibility. You need to look into something called Interstate Benefit Payment Plan.
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Dylan Campbell
•This is correct. I moved from NY to Florida last year and was able to continue my claim using my NY work history. Had to file in Florida but they used my NYS Department of Labor wage records.
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Sofia Hernandez
ugh I'm dealing with something similar but in reverse - trying to move TO new york from another state. The whole interstate thing is so confusing and when you call NYS Department of Labor they just tell you to call the other state and vice versa. Nobody wants to help!
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Fatima Al-Hashimi
•For interstate issues, you really need to get through to someone who understands the system. Have you tried using Claimyr? It's a service that helps you actually reach NYS Department of Labor agents by phone. Check out claimyr.com and they have a demo video at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works.
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Sofia Hernandez
•Thanks, I'll check that out. So tired of getting disconnected every time I call.
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Dmitry Kuznetsov
Just wanted to add that timing matters a lot with interstate moves. If you move before your benefit year ends, you have more options than if you wait. Also some states have reciprocity agreements that make transfers easier.
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Ava Thompson
whatever you do dont just stop filing your weekly claims with NYS Department of Labor until you figure this out!! I made that mistake when I was considering a move and it messed up my whole claim status
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Giovanni Conti
•Good point! I'll definitely keep filing my weeklies while I research this more.
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GalacticGuardian
I went through this exact situation when I moved from NY to Texas last year. The key thing to know is that you need to contact both states as soon as you know you're moving. NYS Department of Labor will close your claim when you move, but if you've worked in NY recently enough (usually within the last 18 months), you can file what's called an "interstate claim" in your new state. The new state processes your claim but uses your NY wage history to determine your benefit amount. Don't wait until after you move to start this process - begin the paperwork before you relocate to avoid any gaps in payments. Each state has different processing times so starting early is crucial.
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Evelyn Xu
•This is super helpful! I had no idea you could start the interstate process before actually moving. Do you remember roughly how long the whole transfer took when you moved to Texas? And did your benefit amount stay the same or change based on Texas rates?
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