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The NYS Department of Labor phone system is impossible when you need to discuss complex situations like this. I spent weeks trying to get through to explain my disability situation. Finally used claimyr.com to actually reach an agent who could review my case properly. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Worth it when you need real answers about eligibility.
The whole unemployment system is so confusing!! Why can't they just make it simple and say exactly how long you need to work instead of all this base period nonsense. I'm in the same boat as you OP and stressing out about whether I'll qualify.
Just to add some specifics - for 2025, the minimum wage requirement in your base period is $2,800 total, and you need wages in at least 2 quarters of your base period. With 18 months of work at $18/hour, you're definitely over both thresholds. File immediately because there's a waiting week and you want to get your claim processed as soon as possible.
I'm dealing with something similar where my hours got cut to basically nothing and my boss is being hostile when I ask for more work. Would that count as constructive discharge? I feel like I'm being forced to quit but technically they haven't fired me.
Constructive discharge can qualify you for benefits if you can prove the employer made working conditions so intolerable that a reasonable person would feel compelled to quit. Document everything - the hour reductions, hostile behavior, any communications. NYS Department of Labor will review all the evidence during adjudication.
I had major issues getting through to NYS Department of Labor when I had questions about my weekly claims. Spent hours on hold just to get disconnected. Eventually found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually got me through to an agent in like 15 minutes. They have a video demo showing how it works: https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI. Saved me so much frustration trying to reach someone at the unemployment office.
The whole system is such a mess honestly. They make it so complicated when it should be simple - you're unemployed, you need money, here's your benefits. Instead it's endless forms and certifications and job search requirements that half the time don't even make sense for your industry.
Chloe Zhang
ugh the whole system is broken!! they deny claims for the stupidest reasons and then make YOU prove you deserve benefits that you already paid for. immigration has nothing to do with unemployment if youre legally authorized to work
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Brandon Parker
Actually immigration status can affect certain benefit programs but not regular UI if you're work-authorized. The confusion might be that some people mix up different types of assistance. For unemployment insurance, if you worked and paid into the system, your immigration status shouldn't matter as long as you were legally employed.
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Adriana Cohn
•exactly this - I think people confuse UI with other welfare programs that have different rules
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