Great advice from everyone here! I'd also recommend creating a backup system for your documentation. I keep both digital copies (Google Drive folder) and print out important stuff monthly just in case. One thing I learned the hard way - when you apply through job boards like Indeed or LinkedIn, also grab a screenshot of the actual job posting itself, not just the confirmation page. Sometimes those postings get taken down and if DOL wants to verify the job actually existed, you'll have proof. Also, if you do phone inquiries, jot down the date, time, and who you spoke with (even if it's just a receptionist). Those count as job contacts too and it shows you're being proactive beyond just online applications.

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that career counseling sessions and job search workshops also count as valid job search activities! Many local libraries and workforce development centers offer free workshops on resume writing, interview skills, or networking. I've attended several and they not only count toward your weekly requirement but actually help improve your search strategy. Make sure to get some kind of proof you attended - a certificate, sign-in sheet, or even just the event flyer with your notes on it. Also, if you're in a specific field, professional association meetings or industry events can count too. It's a good way to network while meeting your job search requirements.

I'm so sorry you're going through this frustrating experience, Ella! The A02 denial code is definitely one of the most confusing aspects of the NY unemployment system. Based on your timeline (starting work in March 2024 and filing after being laid off in November), you're almost certainly dealing with the base period wage calculation issue that others have explained so well here. The good news is that this is exactly the type of situation the alternate base period was designed to address! I'd strongly recommend following the comprehensive advice in this thread - request that wage transcript to verify all your earnings were reported correctly, file your written appeal within 30 days with specific language requesting alternate base period consideration, and don't hesitate to use that direct claims center phone number (1-888-209-8124) for follow-up. What really stands out to me is that you worked steadily for 8 months and were laid off (not fired for cause), which puts you in a strong position once they apply the correct wage calculation. This initial denial definitely doesn't mean you're not eligible - it just means they need to look at your case using the right time frame. Stay persistent and document everything - so many people in similar situations have successfully gotten approved on appeal!

Ella, I'm so sorry you're dealing with this frustrating situation! As someone who went through a very similar A02 denial last year, I can tell you that this thread contains absolutely golden advice that would have saved me weeks of confusion. Your timeline (March to November 2024) is almost identical to what I experienced, and the alternate base period option was exactly what got my case approved on appeal. One thing I'd add that really helped me was creating a simple spreadsheet showing my wages by quarter under both the standard and alternate base period calculations - it made it crystal clear why the alternate method worked better for my situation. Also, when you request that wage transcript, pay close attention to make sure all your quarterly wages are accurately reflected. In my case, there was a delay in reporting from my employer that initially made it look like I had lower wages than I actually earned. The appeals process took about 6-8 weeks for me, but I eventually got approved and received all the back payments. Don't let this initial denial discourage you - you have a really strong case once they apply the correct calculation method! Follow the excellent step-by-step advice in this thread and stay persistent. You've got this!

I'm currently going through a similar situation with NYS Department of Labor after being terminated for "performance issues" that were really related to my transportation problems. From what I've learned so far, the key is to file your claim right away even if your employer is contesting it. During my research, I found that NYS uses a pretty specific definition of misconduct - it has to be willful and deliberate violation of company policy, not just struggling with circumstances beyond your control. Childcare issues that you communicated about definitely don't sound like willful misconduct. I'm still waiting for my phone interview but the representatives I've spoken with have been encouraging about cases like ours where there were legitimate external factors involved.

I went through something very similar with NYS Department of Labor last year. I was terminated for "attendance issues" after missing work due to my child getting sick repeatedly. The employer made it sound like I'd never get benefits, but that wasn't true at all. The adjudication process took about 5 weeks, and they approved my claim because I had documentation showing I tried to communicate with my supervisor and follow proper procedures for calling out. The key things that helped my case were: 1) I filed immediately despite the employer's threats, 2) I kept records of all my communications with management about the absences, and 3) during the phone interview I clearly explained the circumstances and how I attempted to be responsible about the situation. NYS Department of Labor really does look at whether your actions were willful misconduct versus dealing with legitimate life circumstances. Don't let your former employer intimidate you into not filing - you have every right to apply and let the state make the determination.

This thread has been absolutely incredible to read through! I'm currently dealing with my own NY unemployment nightmare - my claim has been stuck in "under review" for almost a month with zero communication. I've called the main number probably 100 times and never gotten through to a human being. Reading all these success stories with the 7:57am auxiliary number strategy is giving me so much hope! @Camila Jordan your detailed walkthrough with the specific menu options is like having the secret code to actually navigate this system. @Hunter Edmunds @Yuki Kobayashi @Tyler Lefleur @AstroAce @Ravi Gupta seeing all your victories using these methods proves that persistence really can pay off. The identity verification flag issue that keeps coming up in everyone's stories is probably exactly what's happening to my claim too. It's absolutely ridiculous that they add these flags without any notification - how are people supposed to resolve issues they don't even know exist? I'm definitely trying the auxiliary number approach tomorrow morning at 7:57am sharp with all my documentation ready. Also bookmarking all the backup strategies like contacting state representatives and One Stop Career Centers. It shouldn't require this level of strategic planning just to access basic government services, but I'm so grateful this community exists to share real solutions. This thread should honestly be the official guide for anyone dealing with NY unemployment - it's been more helpful than any government resource! Thank you everyone for turning what felt like an impossible situation into actionable steps. Fingers crossed I can add another success story to this amazing collection soon!

Just wanted to add my experience to this incredibly helpful thread! I was in a similar situation last week - my claim had been stuck in "pending" status for over two weeks with no explanation. After reading through all the amazing advice here, I tried the 7:57am auxiliary number strategy and it actually worked! Got through in about 30 minutes (which felt like a miracle after weeks of busy signals). Sure enough, I had the same identity verification flag that @Hunter Edmunds @Yuki Kobayashi and others discovered. The agent cleared it immediately once I asked specifically about verification holds. A couple additional tips from my experience: - Make sure to call from the phone number registered on your account (like @Brianna Schmidt mentioned) - Have your weekly certification history ready - they asked about my last few certifications - When you get the agent, lead with "I believe there may be a verification flag on my account" - this seemed to help them locate the issue faster This community has been absolutely invaluable - more helpful than any official resource! Thank you everyone for sharing your strategies and supporting each other through this broken system. Hopefully this adds another data point that the auxiliary number method really works!

I'm so glad to see this thread has become such a supportive resource for people going through similar situations! As someone who was terminated for attendance issues about 9 months ago due to eldercare responsibilities, I can't emphasize enough how important it is to file your claim immediately. The NYS Department of Labor adjudication process was much more fair and thorough than I expected - they spent over an hour asking detailed questions about my work history, the specific circumstances affecting my attendance, and the efforts I made to communicate with my employer. What really helped my case was having documentation of my parent's medical appointments and being able to show I had been a reliable employee for 5+ years before these caregiving responsibilities began. I was approved after about 4 weeks. Don't let the termination reason discourage you from applying - the system recognizes that life circumstances can genuinely impact your ability to maintain perfect attendance, and that's very different from willful misconduct. You've paid into unemployment insurance and deserve to have your individual situation evaluated fairly. File today if you haven't already!

I'm new to this community but wanted to share some hope after reading through all these incredible experiences! I was in a very similar situation about 4 months ago - terminated for attendance issues while dealing with some serious personal challenges that were affecting my ability to get to work consistently. Like so many others here, I initially thought being fired meant automatic disqualification from unemployment benefits and almost didn't file. But after reading stories like yours online, I decided to apply anyway - and I'm so grateful I did! The NYS Department of Labor adjudication process was much more understanding than I anticipated. The interviewer asked comprehensive questions about my employment history, the specific incidents leading to my termination, and most importantly, the personal circumstances that were impacting my attendance. I was completely honest about my situation and provided documentation that supported my explanation. What really seemed to help was demonstrating that I had been a dependable employee for over two years before these issues arose, and that I had made genuine efforts to communicate with my supervisor about what I was going through. The process took about 5 weeks, but I was ultimately approved for benefits. The key takeaway from my experience is that the Department of Labor truly does evaluate each case individually and considers whether your attendance problems were due to circumstances beyond your reasonable control versus willful misconduct. Please don't let fear of rejection stop you from filing - you deserve to have your case heard fairly, and reading all these success stories shows you have very legitimate reasons to be hopeful!