Congrats to everyone who finally got approved! This thread has been super helpful - I'm dealing with the same issue and filed in early February. Still stuck on pending review. Going to try the UI-578E form today and also look into Claimyr. It's ridiculous that we have to jump through all these hoops just to get benefits we're entitled to, but at least there are some workarounds. Really appreciate everyone sharing what actually worked for them instead of just complaining. Fingers crossed I'll have good news to share soon too!

Just wanted to add my experience - I filed in mid-January and was stuck on pending for 7 weeks. What finally worked for me was a combination of things: submitted the UI-578E form, contacted my state assemblyman's office, AND used Claimyr to get through to an agent. The agent discovered my claim was flagged because I had worked in both NY and NJ in the past year, which triggered their multi-state verification process. She was able to clear it up immediately once we spoke. One thing I learned - don't just submit the UI-578E form and wait. Follow up with multiple approaches because sometimes these claims get stuck for really specific technical reasons that only a human can resolve. The whole process is frustrating but there ARE ways to get through it. Keep pushing and don't give up!

Make sure you're also staying current on your disability insurance payments if you have employees. That's separate from unemployment tax but also goes through NYS Department of Labor reporting.

For what it's worth, I just went through this process myself as a new business owner. The key is to make sure you register for your employer account first if you haven't already - you'll need your Federal EIN and some basic business info. Once you're in the system, the quarterly deadlines are April 30, July 31, October 31, and January 31. Don't wait until the last minute because the system tends to be slower on due dates. Also keep good records of all your payments - the confirmation numbers are important if there are any disputes later.

I'm a benefits counselor who works with people navigating unemployment claims, and I want to reassure you that you should absolutely be eligible for benefits based on what you've described. Performance-related terminations during probation periods are specifically NOT considered misconduct under New York unemployment law. The key factors that work in your favor are: 1) Your supervisor cited learning speed/process adaptation rather than policy violations, 2) You haven't been accused of any willful misconduct, and 3) This appears to be a mutual recognition that the job wasn't the right fit. File your claim the Monday after your last day - don't wait even a single day as this starts your benefit year clock. When you file, use clear, factual language like "terminated during probation period for not meeting performance expectations" and keep that email from your supervisor handy. The vast majority of these types of claims are approved without contest. Remember, you've been paying into the unemployment system through your previous jobs specifically for situations like this. This is a temporary setback, not a reflection of your work ethic or abilities. Best of luck!

I'm really sorry to hear about your situation, but I want to echo what everyone else is saying - you should definitely be eligible for unemployment benefits! I actually went through something very similar about 2 years ago when I was let go from a data entry job during my probation period because they said I wasn't processing forms quickly enough. I was terrified about filing for unemployment, but it turned out to be much smoother than I expected. The NYS DOL approved my claim within about 10 days and my former employer never contested it. The key thing that helped me was being very straightforward when I filed - I wrote something like "terminated during probation for not meeting productivity standards" and kept it simple and factual. One thing I wish I had known earlier is that you can actually start preparing your application materials now so you're ready to file immediately after your last day. Make sure you have your Social Security card, ID, bank account info for direct deposit, and employment history for the past 18 months all gathered together. Also, don't let this shake your confidence too much - I ended up finding a much better job just 6 weeks later that was actually a perfect fit for my skills. Sometimes these situations are just the push we need to find something better! Hang in there and file that claim first thing Monday morning.

Just wanted to say thanks for asking this question - I'm in the exact same boat and was wondering the same thing!

I went through this exact situation last year when my company did sudden layoffs. You definitely don't need a termination letter to file - I filed the same day I was let go with just my employment details. The NYS Department of Labor website walks you through everything step by step. One tip: keep a record of exactly what your supervisor said when they let you go, even if it's just notes you write yourself. I wrote down the conversation right after it happened and it helped when they asked for details during the phone interview. The whole process was actually smoother than I expected, and I started receiving benefits within a few weeks.

I'm a case worker who helps people navigate unemployment claims, and I want to emphasize what others have said - definitely answer YES to "returned to work" for any paid work activity, including orientation. The NYSDOL is very clear that this question refers to ANY work performed during the certification week. One thing I'd add that might help ease your anxiety: the system is designed to handle transition periods like yours. Thousands of people go through this exact situation every week where they start a job but don't immediately jump to full-time hours. The partial benefit calculation exists specifically for these scenarios. Just remember to keep detailed records of your hours and earnings for each week. If you ever need to appeal a decision or clarify something later, having your own documentation makes the process much smoother. Good luck with the new job!

I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago! Had my first day which was just 2 hours of paperwork and employee handbook stuff. I was so paranoid about answering wrong that I actually drove to the local unemployment office to ask in person (took half the day but was worth the peace of mind). They confirmed what everyone here is saying - any work at all means you answer YES to returned to work. The agent told me that even unpaid training technically counts, so definitely paid orientation does. What helped me was thinking of it this way: the question isn't asking "are you permanently back to full-time work" - it's just asking "did you do any work this week." Once I framed it that way, it was obvious the answer was yes. You'll get your partial benefits and everything will work out fine. The transition weeks can be nerve-wracking but the system handles this stuff all the time. Congrats on landing the job!