One thing they don't tell you upfront - keep EVERYTHING documented. Every job you apply for, every contact you make, dates and times of phone calls to NYS Department of Labor. I had to provide all this during an eligibility review and was glad I kept good records. Also screenshot your weekly claim confirmations in case the system glitches.

Just to add to what others have said - you can actually file your first weekly claim the same week you submit your initial application, you don't have to wait. The key thing is to file by Sunday night each week for the previous week. And regarding job search requirements, yes you should start applying for jobs right away even though the formal requirement doesn't kick in until your second week of benefits. It shows good faith effort and you'll already have a head start on meeting the 3 contacts per week requirement. The my.ny.gov portal has a work search log feature that makes tracking applications easier too.

yeah my cousin went through this and won, employer appealed just to be spiteful but lost

I work in HR and can share some insight on this. From what I've seen, employers typically win appeals in about 25-35% of cases, but it really depends on the documentation and circumstances. The fact that you have documentation of safety complaints puts you in a much stronger position - retaliation for safety concerns is taken very seriously by hearing officers. Make sure to organize your evidence chronologically and be prepared to explain the timeline of events clearly. Even if you're nervous, just stick to the facts and let your documentation speak for itself. You've got this!

Quick question: does anyone know if this applies to trips to other states too, or just international travel?

Hey Sean! I went through this exact situation a few months ago. The automated message you got is pretty standard - they basically just tell you not to certify while abroad. From my experience, you don't necessarily need to talk to a live person if it's just a week-long trip and you're being proactive about it. I ended up sending a secure message through my online account with all the details (travel dates, destination, confirmation I wouldn't certify during that time) and they responded acknowledging it. Just make sure to be super clear about your dates and that you understand you can't certify while out of the country. The key thing is documentation - keep records that you notified them beforehand. That way if any issues come up later, you have proof you followed proper procedure. Safe travels! 🛫

ugh the whole system is so confusing. why can't they just make it simple - if you dont have a job you should automatically get health coverage period. but yeah medicaid should work for you, just be prepared for lots of paperwork and waiting

I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago when I lost my job and had to apply for both unemployment and Medicaid. The process was actually smoother than I expected - I applied online through NY State of Health and got approved within about 2 weeks. The key thing is to be honest about your unemployment income when you fill out the application. They'll verify it with NYS Department of Labor anyway, so don't try to hide it. One tip: if you have any medical appointments coming up, ask if they can wait to bill you until your Medicaid approval comes through. Many providers are understanding about this situation. Good luck!

Your rate can change year to year based on your experience rating so make sure you're using the current year's rate notice. Don't use last year's rate by mistake or you'll have to file corrections later.

For future reference, you can also call the NYS DOL Employer Services line at 518-457-2635 if you need help locating your rate or have questions about your quarterly filing. They're usually pretty helpful with walking employers through where to find specific information in the online system. Just make sure to have your employer registration number handy when you call.