Wow, what a nightmare with their notification system! I'm dealing with something similar right now - got an "offset" notice but no explanation. Quick question for everyone: has anyone tried disputing an offset when the employer dates were wrong? I'm wondering if it's worth the hassle to appeal or if they usually just stick with their original decision. Also, does anyone know if there's a way to get those missing notifications resent? Seems like a lot of us aren't getting proper notice before they start taking money.

Just wanted to add my experience for anyone else dealing with this - I had a similar "offset" situation last year where they took money without proper notification. What really helped me was keeping detailed records of everything: screenshots of my payment history showing the offset, documentation that I never received notices in my online inbox or mail, and any communication with employers about work dates. When I finally got through to speak with someone, having all this organized made the conversation much more productive. They were able to see exactly when the notices were supposedly sent versus when I actually received them (or didn't). Also, don't give up on calling - I know it's frustrating, but sometimes you get lucky and get through on the first try. The early morning hours (right when they open) and late afternoon seemed to work better for me.

I went through this exact same situation with NYS DOL last year. Definitely go with "lack of work" as Diego mentioned - that's the correct category for staff reduction due to slow business. In the explanation box, keep it simple and factual: "Position eliminated due to reduced business/staffing needs" works perfectly. Don't overthink it! The key is being consistent with what your employer will tell them when they verify. Good luck with your claim!

Just went through this process myself a few months ago! I was in retail too and got let go for the same reason - slow business, staff reduction. I selected "lack of work" and wrote "Position eliminated due to business slowdown and staff reduction" in the explanation. The whole thing went through without any issues. The NYS DOL verified with my employer and everything matched up perfectly. Don't stress too much about the exact wording - just be honest and straightforward about what happened. Your situation sounds very straightforward for unemployment benefits.

I went through this exact same situation about 3 months ago! Had a main job at a software company and was doing some weekend tutoring that I quit in April because it was getting too demanding with my regular work schedule. Then got laid off from my main job in August due to company downsizing. The wording on those questions is super confusing, but after successfully completing the whole process, here's what I learned: Answer NO to question 1 because you didn't lose ALL your employment due to lack of work (since you voluntarily quit the part-time job). Then answer YES to question 1a since your main job definitely paid way more than $5040. I was really worried that quitting the tutoring job would affect my eligibility, but it didn't impact my claim at all. During my phone interview, they asked about both jobs - I explained that I stopped tutoring due to scheduling conflicts and was laid off from my software job due to budget cuts. Since my primary income source was clearly lost through no fault of my own, I got approved without any issues. The whole process took about 2 weeks from application to first payment. Just be completely honest about your work history and remember that they're really looking at whether your main source of income was lost involuntarily. You should be totally fine - don't stress too much about it!

I went through this exact situation about 5 months ago! Had a main job at a healthcare company and was doing some freelance writing work that I quit in March because it was taking up too much time. Then got laid off from my main job in July due to company restructuring. The question wording is definitely tricky, but here's what worked for me: Answer NO to question 1 since you didn't lose ALL employment due to lack of work (you voluntarily quit the part-time job), then YES to question 1a since your main job definitely paid more than $5040. I was super nervous about this too because I thought quitting the freelance work would hurt my claim, but it had no impact at all on my eligibility. During my phone interview, they asked about both jobs - I explained that I stopped freelancing due to time management issues and was laid off from my main job due to downsizing. Since my primary income source was clearly lost through no fault of my own, I got approved and started receiving benefits after the waiting week. The whole process took about 2-3 weeks from application to first payment. Just be honest about your work history and focus on the fact that your main source of income was lost involuntarily. The system really is designed to identify whether your primary income was lost through no fault of your own - you should be good to go!

I'm 69 and went through this exact situation about 6 months ago. I had "retired" from my job of 30 years but then realized I needed income. The key thing that helped me was being very clear during my application that I was currently able, available, and actively seeking work. I didn't dwell on the retirement aspect - I focused on my current employment status and job search activities. NYS Department of Labor did ask during my phone interview why I left my last job, and I explained that while I had initially planned to retire, my circumstances changed and I was now actively looking for work again. They approved my claim after about 3 weeks of adjudication. The job search requirements are the same regardless of age - you need to make at least 3 job contacts per week and keep detailed records. I'd suggest applying sooner rather than later since the process can take time, and you can always withdraw your claim if you find work quickly. Good luck!

I'm in a somewhat similar situation at 65 - took early retirement but now need to return to work due to unexpected expenses. From everything I've read and the experiences shared here, it seems like the key is demonstrating that you're genuinely available and actively seeking work right now, regardless of your previous retirement status. NYS Department of Labor appears to evaluate each case individually during the adjudication process. I'd recommend keeping detailed records of your job search activities from day one, since you'll need to document at least 3 job contacts per week. The stories from @Kristin Frank and @Abigail bergen are really encouraging - it shows that people in our age group who've "unretired" can successfully navigate this process. I think your 35 years of work history will definitely work in your favor when establishing eligibility. Have you considered reaching out to any age-friendly employers or temp agencies that might be more open to hiring older workers? That could help strengthen your case that you're truly available for work.

just a heads up - they might ask for proof of your substitute certification and stuff like that during the application process so have all your paperwork ready

I went through this exact situation last year as a substitute teacher in the Rochester area. The application process was actually pretty straightforward once I understood what they needed. You'll definitely want to list all the districts you worked for - I had to provide employer information for 8 different school districts. The wage verification took a few weeks since they had to contact each district separately, but my claim was approved. One thing that helped me was keeping a detailed log of all the sub jobs I applied for during my claim period, including screenshots of online applications and emails. Also, don't forget that you can work part-time while on unemployment - so if you pick up occasional summer tutoring or camp work, just report those earnings when you certify each week.