same boat here!! got laid off from my restaurant job and hoping unemployment covers at least my rent. this whole thing is so stressful

Just went through this process myself! At $65k annually, you're looking at roughly $1,250 per week before taxes. In NY, you'll likely hit the maximum weekly benefit of $504 since the formula caps out around that level for higher earners. The good news is that overtime definitely counts - they look at ALL wages reported during your base period. One tip: file your claim online at ny.gov as soon as possible since there's a one-week waiting period before payments begin. Also keep detailed records of your job search activities since NY requires you to document your work search efforts. The process can be overwhelming but the benefits do help bridge the gap while you're looking for your next opportunity!

I'm dealing with a similar discharge situation right now and this thread is super helpful! Just wanted to add that when you file online, the NYS Department of Labor system will walk you through different scenarios and ask specific questions about why your employment ended. They don't just give you a simple "fired" vs "discharged" dropdown - they'll ask things like "Were you told your performance was unsatisfactory?" or "Did you violate company policy?" So even though the terminology might seem confusing, the actual filing process is designed to capture the real circumstances. I'd recommend having your termination paperwork handy when you start the application so you can reference the exact reasons they gave you.

Just went through this exact same thing a few months ago! "Discharge" definitely threw me off at first too - it sounds so formal and scary. But yeah, it's literally just the official term NYS Department of Labor uses for "fired" or "terminated." The important thing isn't the word they use, but the reason behind it. Since your paperwork says "attendance issues," that could go either way depending on the specifics. Were these unexcused absences or did you have legitimate reasons like medical appointments, family emergencies, etc.? If you had valid reasons and documentation, that works in your favor. The DOL will do their own investigation and contact both you and your employer to get the full story. Don't stress too much about the terminology - focus on gathering your evidence and being completely honest when you file. Even if there's an initial denial, you can always appeal with additional documentation.

Reading through this whole thread as someone who's also navigating the student/part-time worker situation has been incredibly eye-opening! I had no idea about so many of these resources and strategies. A couple of additional things I discovered that might help others: 1. There's actually a "Virtual Assistant" chat bot on the NYSDOL website that can answer basic eligibility questions 24/7. It's not perfect, but it helped me understand some terminology before calling. 2. Your local One-Stop Career Center (part of the American Job Center network) often has staff who can help you prepare for the unemployment call and review your documentation beforehand. I found mine through the DOL website's office locator. 3. If you're worried about the base period earnings calculation, you can request a "Statement of Claimant's Wage and Potential Benefit Information" online before filing to see exactly what's in their system. For anyone still hesitating - I was terrified to call based on all the horror stories, but armed with the tips from this thread (especially calling at 7:58 AM on Tuesday/Wednesday and mentioning "Student Claimant" upfront), the process was much smoother than expected. The agent I spoke with was actually really knowledgeable about student eligibility rules. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences here - this community knowledge is invaluable for navigating these systems!

This thread has been absolutely incredible! As someone who's been putting off filing for unemployment because I wasn't sure about my eligibility as a part-time student worker, reading everyone's detailed experiences and tips has given me the confidence to move forward. I wanted to add one more resource that might help others: if you're still unsure after reading all these great tips, many college career services offices have staff who are familiar with unemployment benefits for students. They might not be experts, but they often have basic guidance and can sometimes connect you with alumni or other students who've been through the process. Also, for anyone keeping track of job search activities, I've found that setting up Google alerts for job postings in your field can help you stay on top of opportunities and gives you concrete evidence of active job searching when you need to report it. Thank you especially to @Yuki Tanaka for asking the original question - this whole conversation has been a masterclass in navigating NY unemployment as a student! And huge thanks to everyone who shared their real experiences, phone tips, and resource recommendations. This is exactly the kind of community support that makes these overwhelming government processes actually manageable.

Good point about the contractor vs employee classification! @Dmitry, you mentioned your paystubs showed NY state taxes being deducted, which is a good sign that you were properly classified as an employee. If you were a contractor, you typically wouldn't have had state taxes automatically withheld. You can double-check by looking at whether you received a W-2 or 1099 form for tax purposes - W-2 means employee status and you should be good to file for UI benefits.

Just want to emphasize what others have said - definitely file with NYS Department of Labor since you've been working from Buffalo. I went through this exact situation a few months ago (remote work for an out-of-state company) and NYS processed my claim without any issues. One tip: when you file online, make sure to clearly indicate that you were working remotely from New York in the work location section. It helps avoid any confusion during the review process. The whole application took me about 45 minutes to complete, and I started receiving benefits within 2 weeks.

I'm so sorry you're going through this - dealing with a toxic manager while worrying about finances is incredibly stressful. Based on what others have shared, it sounds like you might have a case for "good cause" resignation, but you'll need solid documentation. The daily stress headaches are actually significant - definitely see a doctor and be explicit that they're work-related. Start keeping a detailed incident log immediately with dates, times, and specific examples of the toxic behavior. Save any problematic emails or messages. Also consider filing complaints with HR first (even if they don't help) as it shows you tried internal channels before quitting. Many people here have successfully gotten benefits after initially being denied, so don't give up if you get rejected at first. The appeal process exists for situations exactly like yours. Your health is more important than any job, but make sure you're strategic about building your case before you make any moves. You've been paying into this system for 2 years - you deserve those benefits if you're being constructively dismissed.

I've been following this thread and there's such great advice here. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that you might want to check if your employer has any written policies about workplace conduct or harassment in your employee handbook. If your manager's behavior violates company policies, that can actually strengthen your "good cause" case significantly. NYS DOL looks more favorably on resignations when employers aren't following their own stated policies. Also, if you decide to quit, make sure your resignation letter specifically mentions the toxic work environment and references the documented incidents - don't just say "I'm resigning for personal reasons" or they might use that against you. Keep it factual but make it clear you're leaving because of unacceptable working conditions. And remember, even if you get initially denied, the appeal process gives you a real chance to present your case to a judge who will actually listen to your evidence. Document everything now while it's happening, see a doctor about those stress symptoms, and don't let them push you out without fighting for the benefits you've earned through 2 years of contributions.