I'm currently at day 11 of business days waiting for my employer response after being laid off from my serving job at a family restaurant. The owner had to let go of half the staff because business dropped off significantly after the new year. Reading through all these experiences has been incredibly reassuring - it really seems like restaurant layoffs are some of the most straightforward cases for approval once that 10-day employer deadline passes. I've been religiously doing my weekly certifications after seeing how many people emphasized that for getting full backpay. The financial stress while waiting is no joke, especially when rent is due, but this community has given me so much hope that legitimate layoffs like ours typically get resolved in our favor. It's amazing to see so many people at different stages of this same process - really makes you feel less alone when you're anxiously checking your claim status every morning!

I'm currently on day 3 of business days waiting for my employer to respond after being laid off from my hostess position at a local diner. They had to reduce staff because foot traffic has been really slow this winter. Reading through all these experiences from people in similar restaurant situations is giving me so much hope! It sounds like these types of layoffs due to business slowdowns are exactly what unemployment benefits are designed to cover, and the 10 business day rule seems pretty consistent based on everyone's timelines. I've already started doing my weekly certifications after seeing how important that is for getting full backpay once approved. The financial anxiety is definitely starting to set in, but this community has been incredibly helpful for understanding what to expect. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences and timelines - it really helps to know so many others in the restaurant industry are going through this same process and that most legitimate layoffs seem to get approved once that employer deadline passes!

Just want to add that you should also check if your employer offers any severance package - sometimes that can affect when you're eligible to start collecting unemployment benefits. Also, make sure you have all your wage information ready when you file. NYS Department of Labor will need details about your earnings for the past 18 months, so gather up your pay stubs or W-2s beforehand. The whole process goes much smoother when you have everything organized.

I've been through this process recently and want to share some additional tips. First, regarding the tax question that came up - unemployment benefits are considered taxable income, so you can either have taxes withheld automatically (10% federal) or pay them when you file your return. Second, for calculating your benefits, NYS Department of Labor looks at your "base period" which is typically the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you file. So if you file in January 2025, they'd look at your earnings from January-December 2024. This is why job changes can affect your benefit amount - if you had lower earnings in that specific timeframe, it impacts your weekly benefit rate. Also, once you're approved, you have to certify for benefits every week and show that you're actively looking for work. Keep track of your job search activities because they can audit this. The whole process can take 2-4 weeks from filing to receiving your first payment, so don't wait to apply once you're laid off.

I had my phone interview about 6 months ago and wanted to add a few things that really helped me feel prepared. Beyond the basics everyone mentioned about separation reason and job search activities, they also asked me about any unions I might have been part of and whether I received any final paychecks or benefits after my last day of work. They wanted to know the exact dollar amounts of my final pay too. One thing that really put me at ease was that the interviewer actually started by explaining the purpose of the call and letting me know it was just a standard part of the process - not because there was any problem with my claim. They also told me at the beginning that I could ask them to repeat any question if I didn't understand it clearly. My biggest advice is to speak slowly and clearly since it's over the phone, and don't be afraid to take a moment to think before answering. The interviewer was patient and gave me time to gather my thoughts. The whole thing felt very routine and professional, nothing like an interrogation. You're going to do fine!

I just had my phone interview last week and wanted to share what really helped me prepare! Beyond all the great advice here about job separation and search activities, they also asked me about my wage history - specifically my earnings in the base period they used to calculate my benefits. Make sure you have your pay stubs or tax documents handy because they might ask you to verify the amounts they have on file. They also asked if I had any dependents and whether my spouse was working (this can affect benefit calculations). One thing that surprised me was they asked about my education level and any professional licenses or certifications I have - I think they use this info to understand what types of jobs you're qualified for. The interviewer was really thorough but not at all aggressive about it. They even thanked me at the end for being prepared and cooperative! The key is just having all your employment and financial info organized beforehand. Don't worry too much - it sounds way scarier than it actually is. Most of us here got through it just fine and you will too!

Yes, as a temp worker you definitely qualify for unemployment benefits in NY! I was in a very similar situation - worked temp assignments for about 10 months before my last placement ended with no fault of my own. The key things to remember: report your temp agency as your employer (not the individual client companies), gather all your pay stubs showing wages earned through the agency, and file your claim as soon as possible since there's typically a one-week waiting period. Make sure you've earned enough wages during your base period to qualify - they look at the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you file. While collecting benefits, you'll need to do 3 job search activities per week, and registering with additional temp agencies counts toward this requirement. Just be aware that if your original temp agency offers you a new assignment that's considered "suitable work," you may need to accept it or risk affecting your benefits. The whole process was much smoother than I expected once I got started. Good luck with your claim!

I went through this exact situation last year when my temp assignment ended unexpectedly. As everyone has mentioned, temp workers definitely qualify for unemployment in NY - I was nervous about it too but the process was actually pretty straightforward. A few tips from my experience: when you file online, make sure you have your Social Security number and all employment info for the temp agency ready. The system will ask for your employer's info, wages earned, and reason for separation. Since your assignment just ended and the agency doesn't have work for you, that's considered a qualifying separation. One thing I wish I'd known - start gathering your documentation now (all pay stubs, W-2 if you have it, any contracts with the temp agency) because they may request wage verification later. Also, file as soon as possible since benefits don't typically backdate to when you became unemployed, only to when you file the claim. The weekly certification process is pretty easy once you get the hang of it. Don't let the paperwork intimidate you - temp workers contribute to unemployment insurance just like any other employee, so you've earned these benefits!

@Dylan Fisher - I was in the same boat when I started my first job! It's really confusing because we're so used to seeing all these deductions that you naturally assume unemployment would be one of them. The key thing to remember is that unemployment insurance is essentially insurance that your employer buys to protect their workforce - kind of like how they might provide health insurance or workers' comp. The NYS Department of Labor collects these employer contributions and uses them to fund the whole unemployment benefits system. So when you or a coworker eventually needs to file a claim, those benefits are coming from a pool of money that employers across the state have been paying into, not from your individual contributions.

Just wanted to chime in as someone who recently went through the NY unemployment system - it's definitely confusing at first! Like everyone else said, you won't see unemployment deductions on your paystub because employers pay 100% of those taxes. When I was laid off last year, I was surprised to learn that I was eligible for benefits even though I'd never "paid into" the system directly. The NYS Department of Labor basically acts as the middleman - they collect from employers and distribute to eligible workers. One thing that might help you understand your paystub better is to look for that SDI (State Disability Insurance) deduction that @Alfredo Lugo mentioned - that's about the only state insurance program that does come out of your paycheck in NY. Everything else like unemployment is on the employer side.