Just wanted to share what worked for me after dealing with this nightmare for 3 days straight! I was getting the same OKTA verification loop where it would just hang forever. Turns out the issue was my VPN - once I disconnected it completely and restarted my browser, the verification went through immediately. Also make sure you're not using any ad blockers or privacy extensions that might be interfering with the authentication process. Hope this helps someone! 🙏

Had this exact same issue last week! What finally worked for me was logging out completely, clearing my browser cookies specifically for the NY unemployment site (not just cache), and then waiting about 30 minutes before trying again. Something about their session timing seems to get messed up. Also try accessing the site during off-peak hours like early morning - seems like their servers get overloaded during busy times. Don't give up, the system is buggy but it does eventually work! 💪

I went through something similar last year. The key thing is to be completely honest when you file your claim and during any interviews. Don't try to hide the no call no show - they'll find out anyway when they contact your employer. Focus on documenting the toxic work environment as much as possible. Even without medical records for the panic attacks, if you have any text messages, emails, or coworkers who witnessed the hostile conditions, gather all of that. I also recommend looking into whether your state has any mental health resources that might help you get documentation retroactively. The process isn't fun, but you might be surprised - sometimes employers don't fight unemployment claims as hard as you'd expect, especially if they know their workplace had issues.

I'm in a similar boat right now and just wanted to share what I've learned from talking to others who've been through this. The no call no show definitely complicates things, but it's not an automatic disqualification like some people think. When you file, they'll ask you to explain why you left your job - be honest about the panic attacks and toxic environment, but also acknowledge that you handled it poorly by not communicating. NYS DOL seems to care more about whether you had legitimate reasons for your actions rather than whether you followed proper procedures. I'd also suggest starting to document everything you can remember about the toxic workplace now while it's fresh - dates, specific incidents, any witnesses. Even if you don't have medical records for the panic attacks, a detailed timeline of what was happening at work that led to your mental health issues could help your case. The worst they can do is say no, and then you can appeal with more evidence.

have you tried applying online? sometimes its easier than calling

Hey Zoe! I went through something super similar last year. The alternate base period was exactly what saved my claim. Since you made $8k in that October-December quarter, you're actually in a pretty good position. Here's what I learned: when they can't use the standard base period (because you didn't meet the earnings threshold in earlier quarters), they automatically check if you qualify under the alternate base period. Your recent $8k quarter will likely be the key. A few things that helped me: - Make sure you have all your pay stubs from that October-December period ready - When you finally get through to someone, be super clear about wanting them to check the alternate base period specifically - Don't get discouraged if the first person you talk to seems confused - some reps know more about this than others The fact that you were let go (not fired for misconduct) in January should work in your favor too. Keep pushing through the process - it's frustrating but you've got a solid case! 💪

Just wanted to chime in as another newcomer who was totally confused by this same question! I've been on unemployment for about 3 weeks now and that "refuse job offers" question had me scratching my head too. After reading everyone's explanations, it's crystal clear that "No" is correct when you haven't actually refused any offers. I love how @Abigail Patel broke it down - the question is literally asking "did you turn down work?" and if you didn't get any offers to turn down, then no, you didn't refuse anything. I'm definitely implementing the screenshot strategy and starting a job search spreadsheet after seeing @Sydney Torres mention getting audited. It's honestly crazy that we have to be this prepared just to claim benefits we've earned, but better safe than sorry with this system. Thanks to everyone who took the time to explain this - this community is seriously a lifesaver for navigating NY's confusing unemployment maze! 🙏

New to NY unemployment here and this thread has been a huge help! I was getting so stressed about that same question because the wording makes it seem like there's some trick to it. But after reading everyone's explanations, it's clear that "No" is absolutely correct when you haven't received any job offers to refuse. What really helped me was @Chloe Boulanger's point about not overthinking it - the question really is just asking "did you turn down a job?" in the most confusing way possible. I've been applying everywhere but only got one interview that didn't lead anywhere, so definitely no offers to refuse. Starting my documentation spreadsheet today after seeing all the audit stories! It's wild that we need to prepare like we're going to court just to claim benefits, but this community has made me feel so much more confident about navigating the system. Thanks everyone for breaking this down for us newcomers - you've saved me so much anxiety! 🙏

I'm in a very similar situation with my marketing consulting business - no clients since late December and really struggling financially. Reading through these responses is incredibly helpful, especially Isabella's detailed experience. One thing I'm still unclear about though is the timing of filing. Should I wait until I've been without income for a certain period, or can I file as soon as the work dried up? I've been hesitant to file because I keep hoping a new client will come through, but at this point I think I need to be realistic about my situation. Also, has anyone had experience with NYS Department of Labor questioning whether you're genuinely seeking other employment opportunities while your business is dormant? I'm worried they might think I'm just waiting for my business to pick back up rather than actively looking for work.

I'm going through this exact situation right now with my freelance writing business. After reading everyone's experiences here, I decided to file my claim last week even though my business is technically still open. What really helped me was keeping detailed records of when my last client payment came in (December 15th) and screenshots showing zero new inquiries or projects since then. During my initial phone interview, the NYS Department of Labor representative seemed most concerned about whether I was doing any work activities at all - even things like updating my portfolio or networking. I had to assure them that I've completely stepped back from all business activities and am focusing solely on finding traditional employment. The process is definitely nerve-wracking, but based on what I've read here and my own research, as long as you're completely honest about your situation and can prove you're genuinely unemployed (not just slow), you should be eligible. The key is documenting everything and being prepared to show that your business income has truly stopped, not just decreased.