I went through this exact situation last year when I got laid off from my finance job making similar money. You'll definitely qualify for the maximum $504/week since your income is well above the threshold. One thing to keep in mind though - the 26 weeks can go by faster than you think, especially in tech where the interview process can take months. I'd recommend applying for jobs immediately even if you think you might get called back, because the job market is pretty competitive right now. Also, make sure you understand the work search requirements from day one - they're pretty strict about the 3 job contacts per week and they do audit people.

Just went through this exact scenario at my last job. With your income level, you'll definitely get the maximum $504/week for 26 weeks. One thing I wish someone had told me - start documenting everything NOW before any layoffs happen. Keep records of your pay stubs, employment start date, and any communications about potential layoffs. NYS DOL will ask for all this when you file. Also, if you do get severance, you can still file your unemployment claim right away, just report the severance during your weekly certifications. The process will go much smoother if you have all your documentation ready to go. And seriously, don't underestimate how long tech job searches can take - I'd start networking and updating your resume even before anything official happens.

I'm brand new to this community and currently dealing with this exact nightmare! I made a phone certification error yesterday where I accidentally said I didn't have any job contacts when I actually did complete my required work search activities. I've been absolutely panicking about potential fraud charges and penalties ever since. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been such a relief - it's incredible how many people have gone through these confusing phone system errors! I immediately sent a detailed message through the secure portal after reading all the advice here, and I'm planning to try both the 8 AM calling strategy and that Claimyr service that so many people have mentioned with success. The practical tips about documenting everything, looking for the TC-FOC form, and asking agents to add notes to your file are incredibly helpful. Success stories like @cc48bca1aca9 and @fa735b3835d3 who got their situations resolved quickly by acting fast really give me hope that this isn't as catastrophic as it feels right now. Thank you all for creating such a supportive thread and sharing your experiences. It's exactly what someone needs when they're panicking about navigating the unemployment system alone. I'll definitely update once I manage to get through to an agent!

I'm new to this community but wanted to share my recent experience since I just went through this exact same situation! I made a phone certification error about two weeks ago - accidentally said I wasn't available for full-time work when I actually was. The panic was absolutely real and I barely slept for days thinking about potential fraud charges. Following the advice I've seen throughout this thread, I immediately sent a detailed message through the secure portal and kept trying the phone line. I actually had success with the 8 AM calling strategy - got through on my third day of trying by calling right at 8:00 AM sharp. The agent was incredibly understanding and said these phone system mix-ups are super common. She corrected my certification in about 15 minutes and confirmed that since I reported it immediately, there were no fraud concerns - just had to repay the one week I wasn't entitled to. No penalties at all! She even added a note to my file documenting the correction for future reference. For anyone currently dealing with this stress - the agents really do understand that the phone system is confusing and treat these as honest mistakes when you report them quickly. The waiting is definitely the worst part, but don't give up. This community has been such a great resource for navigating these situations!

Connor, I'm a recent grad from Purchase and dealt with this exact situation about 6 months ago! The unemployment eligibility requirements are definitely harsh for new grads. One resource that hasn't been mentioned yet is reaching out to your local library's career center - many have dedicated career counselors who can help with resume reviews, interview prep, and connecting you to local job resources you might not find online. Also, check if SUNY Albany has any recent graduate emergency funds or hardship assistance - some campuses have small grants available for alumni facing financial difficulties during job transitions. In the meantime, consider signing up for multiple gig economy apps (Instacart, TaskRabbit, etc.) to generate some income while you search for full-time work. Don't forget to document all your job search activities in detail - when you do land a job and potentially face unemployment later, having that record will be valuable. The struggle is real but temporary - you've got a solid degree and the determination to figure this out. Keep pushing forward!

Connor, as someone who graduated from college about a year and a half ago and faced the exact same unemployment eligibility confusion, I really feel for what you're going through! The system definitely wasn't designed with new grads in mind. While you likely won't qualify for regular UI benefits without sufficient covered wages, I wanted to share a few things that made a real difference during my job search. First, definitely check with your county's Department of Social Services about emergency assistance programs - many have short-term help specifically for people actively job searching that I wish I'd known about sooner. Second, consider reaching out to local churches or community organizations even if you're not religious - many have job placement programs or emergency assistance funds that aren't widely advertised. Third, look into your area's VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) programs - they often have connections to other local resources and assistance programs. Also, don't underestimate the power of directly emailing hiring managers or department heads at companies you're interested in, even if they don't have posted openings - I actually got several interviews this way that never would have happened through online applications. The financial stress with loans starting is overwhelming, but this phase really is temporary. Document everything you're doing and stay persistent - you're going to make it through this transition!

I'm a substitute teacher in Long Island and went through this exact process about 8 months ago! Everyone here is absolutely right - substitute teachers ARE eligible for unemployment benefits from NYS Department of Labor. The confusion comes from people not understanding that we're completely different from contracted teachers. I was nervous about applying at first because I kept hearing "teachers can't get unemployment," but that rule only applies to teachers with contracts and reasonable assurance of future work. As subs, we have neither! My application was approved after about 4 weeks, and I collected benefits for 12 weeks while searching for more stable work. The key things that helped me: I documented EVERYTHING (screenshots of empty sub systems, emails to schools, job applications), was completely honest during my phone interview about looking for both substitute and non-education work, and made sure to file my weekly certifications on time. Don't let the horror stories about teacher unemployment claims scare you - your situation as a substitute is totally different and legitimate. You've been paying into the system, so use it when you need it!

I'm a substitute teacher in the Syracuse area and just wanted to jump in and share my recent experience with NYS Department of Labor! I applied for unemployment benefits about 2 months ago when my sub work completely disappeared, and I was approved without any major issues. Like everyone else has mentioned, the key is understanding that we substitutes don't have the "reasonable assurance" that regular contracted teachers have - that's what makes us eligible! What really helped me was keeping a detailed log of every day I was available to work but didn't get called, plus screenshots of the district's substitute management system showing no available positions. During my phone interview, the representative was actually very understanding about the unpredictable nature of substitute work. She asked about my job search efforts and I explained that I was applying for both substitute positions at different districts and other types of work. The whole process from application to first payment took about 5 weeks. One thing I learned that might help others - you can also count things like updating your substitute teacher profiles, contacting different districts to get on their sub lists, and even attending job fairs as valid job search activities. Don't let the general "teachers can't get unemployment" rule discourage you - it simply doesn't apply to us! Apply with confidence!

by definition adjudication means they're deciding if you qualify, could be anything really. mine was because my employer said i quit but i was actually laid off. took forever to sort out

Adjudication by definition means NYS Department of Labor is reviewing specific aspects of your claim that need clarification before they can approve benefits. In your case, since you mentioned your hours were drastically cut, they're likely verifying this constitutes "good cause" for leaving your job, which would make you eligible for benefits. The process involves contacting your former employer to confirm the circumstances of your separation. While frustrating, this is actually a good sign - they're not denying your claim outright, just ensuring you meet eligibility requirements. Keep documenting your job search activities and filing weekly claims as others mentioned, since you'll receive retroactive payments if approved.