I've been dealing with this same issue for months now. The holiday delays are frustrating but at least they're consistent. One tip - if you have direct deposit, check your account early in the morning on the expected day because sometimes the payments post overnight even if the department processes them the day before. Also, the NYS DOL website has a calendar showing federal holidays that affect payment processing if you want to plan ahead for future delays.

Just wanted to add that if you're getting your unemployment via debit card instead of direct deposit, those delays can sometimes be even longer during holidays. The card issuer (KeyBank for NYS) has their own processing schedule on top of the DOL's schedule. I learned this the hard way last Veterans Day when my payment was delayed an extra day beyond what I expected. If you're in a tight spot financially, it might be worth calling KeyBank directly to ask about their holiday processing schedule too.

I work as a case manager and see this situation fairly often. Your daughter should definitely apply! One important thing to note is that since she's under 18, she may need to provide additional documentation like a work permit (if she had one) or proof of school enrollment to show she was legally authorized to work. Also, don't be discouraged if the initial online application seems confusing - the system isn't always user-friendly for minors. Keep copies of everything you submit, and if you run into issues, you can always visit a local Department of Labor office for in-person help. They're usually more helpful face-to-face than over the phone. Good luck to your daughter - it's great that she had such a solid work history at just 16!

I just went through this process with my 17-year-old nephew last year when he lost his job at a local retail store. One thing I'd recommend is calling the restaurant where your daughter worked to confirm they properly reported all her wages and tips to the state - sometimes smaller restaurants can be inconsistent with their reporting. Also, when she files online, have her Social Security card, work permit (if she had one), and at least 3 months of recent pay stubs ready before starting the application. The system will ask for specific employer details like the restaurant's federal ID number, so you might want to call them for that info too. The whole process took about 2 weeks from application to first payment for my nephew, and he was able to collect benefits while still attending school full-time. Just make sure she's prepared to actively job hunt and document her search efforts - that's the part they really scrutinize!

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now with my marketing consultancy S corp. Been paying unemployment taxes for 2 years as a 100% owner taking W-2 salary. From everything I'm reading here, it sounds like the key is really being able to prove the closure is involuntary and that you were operating as a legitimate employee. I'm keeping detailed records of all client communications, financial statements, and my employment documentation just in case. Has anyone had success with partial closures? Like if I can only keep maybe 20% of my client base due to market conditions, would that potentially qualify for partial unemployment benefits while I try to rebuild?

Based on all these experiences shared here, it really seems like the key factors for S corp owners are: 1) proving you operated as a legitimate W-2 employee (not just taking distributions), 2) documenting that the closure/reduction was truly involuntary due to external circumstances, and 3) being prepared to go through the appeals process if initially denied. I'm in a similar boat with my consulting S corp - been paying UI taxes for years but worried about eligibility. The success stories here give me hope that it's worth pursuing if you have solid documentation. One thing I'm wondering - for those who successfully appealed, how important was it to have an employment attorney vs handling it yourself? The process sounds complex enough that professional help might be worth the investment.

The whole system is ridiculous if you ask me. 26 weeks isn't enough time to find a decent job in this economy, especially if you're trying to find something that actually pays a living wage instead of just taking the first minimum wage job that comes along!

Just wanted to add that if you exhaust your regular 26 weeks of unemployment benefits, you might be eligible for extended benefits during times of high unemployment, though this depends on economic conditions and federal programs that may be available. Also, make sure you're familiar with the online system at labor.ny.gov - it's much easier than trying to call. You can check your payment history, weekly claim status, and get most of your questions answered through their online portal. Good luck with your job search!

I've been on unemployment for about 3 months and learned this the hard way - always keep records! I create a simple Word document for each week with the date, company name, position title, how I applied (Indeed, company website, etc.), and I save confirmation emails in a separate folder. Also don't forget that things like updating your LinkedIn profile, attending virtual job fairs, or even informational interviews count as work search activities. The key is being able to prove you're making a genuine effort to find employment. Better to over-document than risk losing benefits later!

I've been through this process and want to emphasize how important it is to treat your job search documentation like a business record. I keep a detailed Excel spreadsheet with columns for date, company, position, application method, contact person, and follow-up actions. What really saved me during my audit was having screenshots of job postings and confirmation emails. Also, don't overlook networking activities - I counted LinkedIn messaging with recruiters, attending virtual career workshops, and even cold-calling companies about potential openings. The NYS DOL wants to see 3 meaningful work search activities per week, so quality matters more than quantity. Make sure each activity shows you're actively pursuing employment opportunities in your field or related areas.