Just want to add that attending career workshops or job training programs also count as work search activities. I went to a resume writing workshop at my local workforce center and it counted toward my weekly requirement.

I've been collecting unemployment for about 6 months now and wanted to share some additional tips for work search activities. Besides the standard job applications, you can also count networking events, informational interviews, and even reaching out to former colleagues about potential opportunities. I keep a spreadsheet with all my activities including company names, dates, contact info, and type of activity. The key is being consistent and genuine in your search efforts - don't just do the bare minimum of 3 activities if you're serious about finding work. Also, if you're in a specialized field, don't be afraid to reach out directly to hiring managers on LinkedIn - this counts as a work search activity too!

UPDATE: I finally got through to someone at NYSDOL! They explained that I should have reported the training hours in the week I did them, even though I wasn't paid yet. They fixed my claim and explained exactly how to report going forward. For anyone in a similar situation: When you have a firm start date but are in a gap period, make sure you report any training hours during the week you actually did the training. And definitely call to explain your situation if the system flags your account. When I start my after-school job on 9/13, I'll need to report those hours each week, and my benefits will be reduced accordingly. The same applies when I start my driving job. Thank you all so much for your help! I was really stressing out about this.

This whole situation perfectly shows how broken the NY unemployment system is for people with seasonal or irregular work schedules. I'm glad you got it resolved, but it shouldn't take this much stress and confusion just to report training hours correctly! For anyone else reading this thread - definitely save it as a reference. The key takeaways seem to be: 1) Always report training hours in the week you actually do them, regardless of when you get paid, 2) Call NYSDOL immediately if the system flags your account, and 3) Be prepared to explain gap periods between training and actual work start dates. It's ridiculous that we have to become experts in unemployment law just to collect benefits we're entitled to. But at least this thread shows there are solutions if you're persistent enough to get through to an actual human being!

Just wanted to share my recent experience to help ease your anxiety! I filed my claim 2 weeks ago and got my Monetary Benefit Determination letter in my online account after 9 business days. It's a pretty official-looking document that clearly states "APPROVED" at the top if you're approved. Mine showed a weekly benefit of $298 (I was making around $48k), and it included all the details others mentioned - base period, benefit year dates, and work search requirements. The key thing is to check the "Correspondence" section in your online account daily rather than just the main dashboard. Don't stress too much about the 10-day mark - you're still well within the normal processing window!

I'm in a similar boat - filed my claim 12 days ago and have been refreshing my online account constantly! Reading through everyone's experiences here is really reassuring. It sounds like the Monetary Benefit Determination letter is what we're all waiting for, and 10-14 business days seems to be the normal range. I appreciate everyone sharing their weekly benefit amounts too - it helps set realistic expectations. One thing I'm wondering about is whether there are any signs in your online account that indicate your claim is being processed normally vs. if there might be issues? My status just says "pending" but I'm hoping that's normal at this stage.

I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago with my two kids. You can definitely get both - I'm still receiving SNAP even while getting unemployment. The key thing is to be completely honest on your SNAP application about receiving unemployment. They'll calculate your SNAP benefits based on your total household income including the unemployment payments. For a family of 3, you might still qualify for a decent amount even with unemployment income. Also, don't forget to look into WIC if your kids are under 5 - that's separate from SNAP and really helpful for families. The whole process takes a few weeks so definitely get both applications in as soon as possible.

I'm in a similar situation and just wanted to add that the local DSS offices can be really helpful if you can get there in person. I know it's hard with kids but when I applied for SNAP, the caseworker walked me through exactly how my unemployment benefits would affect my food stamp amount. They have calculators that show you right away what you'd qualify for. Also, if you're having trouble with childcare for job searching while on unemployment, some counties have emergency childcare assistance programs that can help bridge the gap. Don't give up if the first application seems overwhelming - there are people there to help you navigate it all.

Have you tried talking to your manager or HR about this issue in writing? Before you quit, I'd recommend sending an email documenting your original availability agreement and requesting accommodation for your school schedule. This creates a paper trail that shows you tried to resolve the issue before leaving. If they refuse or ignore your request, that strengthens your case for "good cause" if you do end up quitting. Also, check if your employee handbook mentions anything about scheduling accommodations - sometimes there are policies they're supposed to follow that they're not honoring.

I went through something similar when I was in college. My employer kept ignoring my class schedule even though I gave it to them at the start of each semester. What really helped my case was keeping a detailed log - I wrote down every time they scheduled me during class hours, every conversation I had with my manager about it, and took screenshots of my schedule vs my class times. I also sent a formal email to HR explaining the situation and requesting they honor my original availability agreement. When they didn't respond, I quit and filed for unemployment. It took about 6 weeks for adjudication, but I was approved because I could prove I tried to resolve it and that the schedule conflicts made it impossible to keep the job. The key is having documentation that shows you made good faith efforts to work with them first.