Just want to add that if your base period doesn't qualify you, NYS Department of Labor will automatically check your alternate base period which uses the last four completed quarters instead. Sometimes that works better for people who had recent job changes.

This is really helpful information! I'm in a similar boat where I worked inconsistently throughout 2024. One thing I learned when I called NYS Department of Labor is that they also have a minimum weekly benefit amount requirement - you need to have earned at least 1.5 times your weekly benefit rate in your high quarter. So it's not just about hitting the $2,700 total, but also about having enough earnings concentrated in your best quarter. Might be worth calculating that out too before you file to see where you stand.

The whole quarter thing is just another way for them to make the system confusing and deny people benefits! I worked steadily but because my highest earnings were in the wrong quarters according to their arbitrary rules, my weekly amount got cut in half.

@The Boss, don't worry too much about your scattered work history - it might actually work in your favor! The quarter system looks at your highest earning quarters during the base period, so if you had some good months mixed in with the lower ones, those higher earnings will boost your weekly benefit calculation. The key thing is making sure you meet the minimum wage requirements across those 4 quarters. If you're still confused about which specific quarters they're using for your claim, you can request a monetary determination breakdown from NYS Department of Labor that shows exactly how they calculated your benefits.

The wage requirements can definitely be confusing! Just to add some clarity - when they calculate your base period, they look at complete calendar quarters only. So if you're filing in December 2024, your base period would typically be July 2023 through June 2024. Make sure to keep track of all your W-2s and pay stubs from different employers during that time period, since they all count toward your total wages. The NYS DOL website has a benefit calculator that can help you estimate if you qualify before you actually file your claim.

I went through this exact same situation last year! The key thing to remember is that it's all about your earnings, not the number of hours worked. I was working two part-time jobs and was worried I wouldn't qualify, but it turned out I had enough wages spread across the quarters. One tip - if you don't qualify under the regular base period, NY also has an "alternate base period" which uses the most recent 4 quarters instead of the standard calculation. This can sometimes help if you had lower earnings earlier but have been making more money recently. Definitely worth mentioning when you file your claim if the regular base period doesn't work out for you.

Don't let the misconduct claim scare you from filing - I've seen many cases where employers throw around that term loosely but can't actually prove it meets the legal definition. In New York, misconduct has to be deliberate, work-related, and substantially violate your employer's interests. Things like minor policy violations, accidents, or good faith disagreements usually don't qualify. File your claim immediately since there's a time limit, and be prepared to clearly explain your version of events if they schedule an adjudication hearing. Even if you're not sure about your chances, there's no penalty for applying and being denied, but there are serious consequences for not filing within the deadline. The worst thing that can happen is they say no - the best is you get the benefits you need while job hunting.

I was in almost the exact same boat about 8 months ago - got fired for what they called "misconduct" but was really just a disagreement over how to handle a customer complaint. I was so stressed thinking I'd be disqualified automatically, but everyone here is right - you absolutely should file right away! The NYS DOL really does investigate thoroughly and doesn't just take your employer's word for it. In my case, the adjudicator asked me tons of questions about the specific incident, my work history, any warnings I'd received, and gave me plenty of opportunity to explain my perspective. It took about 5 weeks total but I got approved because they determined it didn't meet the misconduct standard. The relief was incredible! Don't second-guess yourself - file today if you haven't already. Even if you're worried about the outcome, you need to get that application in within the time limit. You've got this!

definitely file asap! the sooner you file the sooner your claim can get processed. you'll probably have to do weekly claims for those 3 weeks but it's worth it

Just wanted to add that you should document everything about this situation - save any emails about your termination, your original resignation notice, anything that shows the timeline. NYS Department of Labor might ask for documentation during the claims process, and having a clear paper trail will help support your case that you were terminated involuntarily after giving proper notice. This kind of documentation can be really helpful if there are any questions about your eligibility.