As a fellow union member (teamster), I can confirm everything others have said - you're definitely eligible for regular unemployment benefits through NYS Department of Labor. I've collected several times over the years during slow periods. One tip: when you file, make sure to have your last few pay stubs handy because they'll need your wage information to calculate your benefit amount. Also, if you're on any union hiring lists or waiting for callbacks, you can mention that in your job search activities. The key is to file as soon as possible after your last day of work to avoid any delays in getting your benefits started.

I'm in a similar situation as a union sheet metal worker and just want to add that you should also check if your local union hall has any job placement services or leads while you're collecting unemployment. Many locals maintain job boards or have relationships with contractors who might be hiring. It doesn't affect your unemployment benefits at all, but it can help you get back to work faster. Also, make sure to keep records of any union meetings you attend or job referrals you get from the hall - these can count toward your work search requirements with NYS Department of Labor.

I went through something similar last year - got let go after just 10 weeks at a new job. The key thing to remember is that NY unemployment looks at your entire work history over the base period, not just your most recent job. Since you mentioned working 14 months at your previous job, that should definitely count toward establishing your monetary eligibility. As others have said, "performance issues" typically won't disqualify you unless it involves willful misconduct or violation of company policy. I'd recommend filing your claim this week if you haven't already - the sooner you apply, the sooner you can start receiving benefits if approved. Good luck!

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - got let go after just 8 weeks at a new position. Reading through these responses has been super helpful! One thing I wanted to add is that when you file online, make sure you have all your employment information ready including dates, wages, and employer contact info for both your recent job and your previous 14-month position. The system will ask for detailed work history going back 18 months. Also, don't be discouraged if your employer contests your claim - that's pretty common and doesn't automatically mean you'll be denied. The Department of Labor will review everything and make their own determination based on the facts. Definitely apply ASAP since there's that waiting week before benefits can start!

I'm going through this exact same situation right now and this entire thread has been incredibly helpful! My effective days hit 0 yesterday and I was completely lost about what to do next. After reading everyone's experiences, I checked my online account and discovered my benefit year ends in just 6 days - so close! I'm planning to file my new claim first thing tomorrow morning based on all the advice here about not waiting until the last minute. I've already started gathering my employment records from the past 18 months since it sounds like they make you enter everything from scratch even though they already have the info. One thing I'm still wondering about - for those who recently filed new claims, did you need to provide any additional documentation beyond the basic employment info, or was filling out the online application sufficient? I want to make sure I have everything ready to avoid any delays. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and timelines - knowing that you all got backpaid for the weeks during processing has taken away so much of my anxiety about this transition!

I just went through this exact situation about a month ago and it was definitely stressful at first! The most important thing is to check your benefit year end date in your online account under the payment history section - this is completely separate from your effective days counter. Here's what I learned: If your benefit year has ended (or is about to end within a few days), you need to file a new claim immediately. If your benefit year is still active but you've run out of effective days, you might be eligible for an extension program - in that case, call NYSDOL to ask about current options. When I filed my new claim, the process took about 2.5 weeks but they backpaid me for every week I certified during that waiting period. The key is to KEEP CERTIFYING WEEKLY no matter what - this ensures you don't miss any payments. Pro tip: Have all your employment information from the past 18 months ready before you start the application - employer names, addresses, dates of employment, wages, and reason for separation. They ask for everything again even though they already have it from your previous claim. Don't panic - this is super common and once you know which path to take based on your benefit year end date, the process is straightforward. You've got this!

To clarify the timeline: File your claim immediately (can be done online). You'll have a one-week waiting period that's unpaid. If your employer contests, it goes to adjudication which can take 2-6 weeks. If approved after adjudication, you get backpay for all eligible weeks. The sooner you file, the sooner the clock starts ticking.

Just went through this exact situation 3 months ago. File immediately - don't wait! The one-week waiting period Maxwell mentioned is accurate, but it only starts counting once you file. If your employer contests (which they probably will since you were fired), be prepared to explain your side during the adjudication process. The fact that you complained about safety issues before being fired could actually work in your favor - that might be considered retaliation rather than legitimate performance-based termination. Keep all documentation about those safety complaints. In the meantime, start job searching actively because you'll need to prove you're looking for work to keep getting benefits.

I've been fighting this same battle for weeks! What finally got me through consistently was using Brave browser on mobile with these settings: 1) Enable desktop mode first, 2) Turn off all shields/ad blocking for the NY labor site, 3) Clear site data completely, 4) Use incognito/private mode, and 5) Try during off-peak hours (I've had best luck around 10-11 PM). The combination of desktop mode + no ad blocking seems to be the magic formula - their ancient site apparently breaks with any modern privacy features enabled. Also discovered that if you get stuck on the login page, don't refresh - just close the tab completely and start over. It's ridiculous that we need a PhD in browser troubleshooting just to file for unemployment in 2025, but this method has worked for me about 90% of the time. Hope it helps someone else avoid the endless frustration! 🙏

I was having the exact same mobile login nightmare until last week! Here's what finally worked for me after trying everything: Use DuckDuckGo mobile browser with desktop mode enabled. The trick is to also disable location services specifically for the browser while logging in - apparently their system has some weird geolocation conflicts on mobile. Also try switching your phone to airplane mode for 10 seconds, then back on to reset your connection before attempting login. I know it sounds random but it's been working consistently for me! The whole NY unemployment mobile experience is absolutely broken but at least this gets you through the login. Really hope they modernize this ancient system soon because these workarounds are getting ridiculous! 😤