The whole system is broken anyway. They make it so complicated on purpose to discourage people from applying. I worked seasonal landscaping and it took them 6 weeks to process my claim even though everything was straightforward.

Just wanted to add that timing matters when you file. I worked at a summer camp and made the mistake of waiting until my savings ran out before applying. You should file as soon as you're laid off because benefits can be backdated but there are limits. Also, keep all your paperwork from your employer about the layoff - sometimes they'll ask for documentation about whether it was truly a seasonal layoff or if there were performance issues. The process isn't as scary as it seems, just make sure you're honest about your job search efforts when you file your weekly claims.

DOL employee here (not in NY but another state with the same system). There are a few reasons this happens: 1. Most likely: their system does quarterly reviews and sometimes flags accounts for verification even if there's no actual break 2. If you certified later in the day than usual (like evening vs morning), some systems flag this as unusual activity 3. If you used a different device or IP address to certify 4. Random selection for fraud prevention Just answer the questions accurately based on your real situation. If you haven't returned to work, say no. If it asks for an EIN, you can usually leave it blank if you haven't worked anywhere new. If your payment doesn't come through within 3-4 business days, then you need to call. But 9 times out of 10, this resolves itself without any problems.

This exact same thing just happened to me last week! I was so confused because I've been religiously certifying every single Sunday since I got laid off in September. The break in claim questions totally threw me off - I thought I had somehow messed up my claim without realizing it. After reading through everyone's responses here, I'm feeling much better about it. Sounds like it's just their system being glitchy as usual. I answered the questions honestly (no return to work, left EIN blank) and my payment actually came through normally on Tuesday. So hopefully yours will too! The NY unemployment system really needs a complete overhaul. It's wild that we're all dealing with the same random glitches and nobody at DOL seems to know what's causing them. At least we have this community to help each other figure things out! 🤝

I went through this exact situation last year after leaving a toxic workplace. Yes, your employer gets notified automatically - there's no way around it. The notice they receive includes basic info like your claim date and employment period, but not detailed reasons why you're claiming benefits. However, if they contest it (which they might if you quit), then the specifics come out during the hearing process. I'd recommend documenting everything you can about the hostile work environment before filing - save emails, texts, write down incidents with dates, get witness contact info if possible. The good news is that if you truly have good cause, NYS does recognize hostile work environment as valid grounds for quitting. Just be prepared for a potentially lengthy appeals process if your employer fights it.

Just wanted to add that if you're worried about your employer finding out, you should know that they'll receive the notification regardless of whether you were fired or quit. However, the initial notice doesn't include your personal reasons for filing - it's mainly for wage verification. The detailed circumstances only come up if they decide to contest your claim. I'd suggest filing sooner rather than later since there are time limits, and you can always appeal if they contest it. Also, keep in mind that even if the relationship ended badly, many employers don't bother contesting claims unless there was serious misconduct involved, since it takes time and resources on their end too.

Just make sure you keep good records of your part-time hours and pay stubs. NYS Department of Labor might not call your employer, but they could always request documentation later if they audit your claim or if something seems off in your weekly certifications.

I went through this exact same situation about 8 months ago - got laid off from my full-time job but kept a part-time gig that was only giving me about 12 hours a week. NYS Department of Labor never contacted my part-time employer at all. The most important thing is being completely transparent when you file your weekly claims about the hours you worked and money you earned. I actually ended up getting partial benefits for several months while I looked for another full-time position, and it really helped bridge the gap financially. Don't let fear of them contacting your current employer stop you from filing - you're entitled to these benefits and as long as you're honest about your situation, you should be fine.

Just make sure you're being honest about everything when you file. The NYS Department of Labor will cross-reference your reported earnings with what your employer reports, so any discrepancies will cause problems.

I went through this exact situation last year when my restaurant cut my hours from 35 to 15 per week. Yes, your employer gets notified automatically, but honestly it worked out fine for me. My manager actually understood since they were the ones who reduced my schedule due to slow business. The key is being completely transparent about your part-time earnings when you file your weekly certifications. I was getting about $180/week in partial benefits which really helped cover my rent. Just keep good records of your hours and pay stubs in case there are any questions later.