Please help with unemployment when moving from NY to Florida

Hello everyone

Please help if you can. I was laid off from my job on January 17, 2011 and can no longer continue paying my rent after April. The rentals around here are very expensive and I can't swing it without having a job, my unemployment is not enough to make ends meet.

I was recently offered low cost living accomodations of no rent by one of my friends who is a widowed member of my church and lives in NY but also owns a home in Florida in exchange for maintaining the place.

The place is in a safe area and close to transit. It has 2 bedrooms and I would have the master bedroom and private bathroom to live alone and when she comes to Florida, she still have a place to snowbird in.

I would just be responsible for all of the bills and my food and feel I can swing this on my current unemployment while I look for work. This is the first time I have had to live like this without a job. I am not sure what the unemployment rules are in Florida and need feedback before making a decision as this is a big move for me.

Thank you very much in advance for any advice.

Welcome, Eden!

There would be no change in your unemployment benefits if you go to Florida. The state of NY will still be paying you according to their unemployment laws. Unfortunately, even though you are moving to a state where Tier 4 is available, and perhaps longer EB, you would not qualify for that because you were employed in NY. Florida may have more education and training courses you would be eligible for due to the high ue rate.

I don't think any of us here ever expected to be in the positions we are now. Good luck with your move and I hope you find a job soon!

Thank you so much, God Bless you!

I just read this today on NY state website and wanted to check if anyone knows if this is actually a fact regarding Tier V.

Tier 4 (6 weeks) - Because New York's three-month average unemployment rate is 8.5%, Tier 4 benefits will be available beginning June 4, 2012. To qualify, you must: .

•Have filed an initial claim for regular unemployment by 4/4/2011
•Exhaust all available weeks of Tier 3 EUC by 9/2/12


http://www.labor.ny.gov/ui/claimantinfo/extendedbenefits.shtm
\

According to the NY state's website, benefits are actually being cut even further in June. They are in the process of updating their site:

New York may provide up to 93 weeks of UI benefits (26 weeks of regular UI + a maximum of 67 weeks of additional federal benefits). The 67 weeks of additional benefits are in two programs.

Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) - Up to 47 weeks of benefits. EUC is payable only through 12/30/12
Extended Benefits (EB) - Up to 20 weeks of benefits. For most claimants, EB is payable only through 6/3/12

You can claim these benefits the usual way.

http://labor.ny.gov/ui/claimantinfo/ExtendedBenefits.shtm

Has Eden checked in to say the move has been completed? It is going to be a huge culture shock to say the least, I would think. I currently am in Florida and did not realize that what was considered a hillbilly state I lived in most of my life was so "liberal" until I ended up here, lol. It is a good place for the homeless since the winters aren't too bad, though.