Here's hoping many of the extended hosta forum family will read your post and help the Lawton family in some way. Connie

Here's my data point - a friend of mine, who is a teacher, was laid off a year ago, at the end of the school year. Although she ended up going back to the same school in the fall, the school didn't offer her a contract until August. She *was* able to collect unemployment during the summer. This year, she was laid off again, but (having another year's seniority) expects that the school system will offer her a job (one she doesn't particularly want) within the next couple weeks. If they do offer her a job for the fall, then she is not eligible for unemployment, whether or not she accepts the job. If this is a common situation elsewhere, then you would not be eligible for unemployment during the summer if your job is available for you in the fall. Not sure whether this is the case or not.

Goldgirl, there is a pretty long post about it in the NJ forum at citydata; I used to follow it but haven't. From what I read there, you had to check in by phone or online in order to keep qualifying. I guess things have changed? On the NY site - NY state resident Q: If I am a resident of New York State, but worked in another state where do I apply for benefits? - A: If you currently live in New York State, but all your work in the past 18 months was in another state, you must file your claim with the state where you worked. For information and filing instructions in other states, Click here. If you worked in 2 or more states in the past 18 months, you must file your claim with one of the states where you worked, regardless of where you reside. You may be able to combine wages from all the states where you worked in the past 18 months, OR use only the wages earned in the filing state. Once you file your claim in a state where you worked, that state will advise you of all your filing options in order to receive the highest benefit amount. For information and filing instructions in other states The only other thing I found was here Commuter Information Lived in New Jersey While Working in New York If you lived in one of the following New Jersey counties while commuting to work in New York, and you are looking for new work in New York, you must file your unemployment claim by telephone with the State of New York. The telephone number is 1-888-209-8124. Bergen Essex Hudson Middlesex Passaic Union If you are not looking for work in New York, or if you live anywhere else in the State of New Jersey, you must file your claim by calling New York at 1-877-358-5306.

S&T ... this is all new to me, so I can't comment on what you are taking. I just came to this forum to learn about what my body is doing these days. But I thought someone should respond to your post ... looks like this forum isn't very active? I could only imagine what you were feeling during your interview ... I'm just staring to get hot flashes. Hope you find a job soon. Pam