To clarify the main points: You can travel while collecting unemployment as long as you remain able and available for work. For a short trip like a wedding, you don't need to notify NYS Department of Labor. Just be honest on your weekly certification about your availability. If you're only gone for 2-3 days and could have accepted work if offered, you should be fine to certify normally for that week.

I just wanted to add that I've been dealing with this same situation - I'm on unemployment and had to travel for a funeral last month. What I learned is that the key question on your weekly certification is whether you were "able and available for work" each day. If you're only gone for a weekend wedding and would have been able to accept a job offer if one came up, you can still answer "yes" to that question. The NYS Department of Labor cares more about your willingness and ability to work than your exact geographic location for short trips. Just don't try to claim benefits for days when you genuinely weren't available. Have a great time at your sister's wedding!

I'm new to this community but wanted to share what I learned when I went through a similar situation about a year ago. I was also fired from a retail job for attendance issues - in my case it was due to childcare problems when my regular babysitter got sick multiple times. Like you, I was terrified that being fired would automatically disqualify me from unemployment benefits. But I filed anyway and was approved after about 3 weeks. The key things that helped my case were: 1) I filed immediately and was completely honest about being terminated, 2) I documented all the childcare emergencies that caused my absences, and 3) I explained clearly that these were unforeseeable circumstances beyond my control, not me just choosing not to show up. Your car trouble situation sounds very similar - mechanical problems are definitely not willful misconduct. Don't let fear stop you from applying! The worst case scenario is they deny it and you appeal. But based on what you've described, you have a good chance of being approved. File today and keep us updated on how it goes!

I'm new to this community but wanted to chime in since I recently went through something very similar. I was fired from my job at a restaurant for what they called "reliability issues" but it was really because I had to miss work when my elderly father was hospitalized unexpectedly. I was so worried about applying for unemployment because I thought being fired meant automatic disqualification. Reading through all these responses has been really eye-opening! It sounds like NYS Department of Labor really does look at the specific circumstances rather than just the fact that you were terminated. Everyone's advice about filing immediately, being honest, and keeping documentation is spot on. I ended up getting approved after about a month, even though my employer initially contested it. The hearing process was nerve-wracking but the officer was fair and understood that family medical emergencies aren't misconduct. Your car trouble situation definitely sounds like it falls into the same category of circumstances beyond your control. Don't let your employer's version of events discourage you - file that claim and fight for what you're entitled to!

I work in HR and have dealt with several cases like this. One thing to consider is whether your employer offers short-term disability benefits - this might bridge the gap while you figure out your long-term options. Also, make sure to get detailed medical documentation that specifically states how your job duties are incompatible with your condition. If you do end up having to leave, the way you separate from employment matters a lot for your unemployment claim. Sometimes employers will agree to a medical separation rather than making you quit, which can help your case with NYS Department of Labor. Don't give up hope - there are often more options than people realize.

I went through something very similar about 8 months ago with a back injury that made my warehouse job impossible to continue. The process was definitely confusing at first, but here's what I learned: NYS Department of Labor does have provisions for medical separations, but you need to be really strategic about how you approach it. First, don't just quit outright - that almost always leads to a denial. Instead, work with your doctor to get very specific documentation about your limitations and how they conflict with your essential job functions. Then approach your employer about accommodations or medical leave options. If they can't accommodate you and you have to separate, make sure it's documented as a medical separation rather than a voluntary quit. I also recommend filing your unemployment claim as soon as you separate, even if you're not sure you'll qualify - the worst they can do is say no, and you might be surprised. The appeals process exists for a reason, and many people who get initially denied end up getting approved after providing additional medical evidence. Don't let the stress overwhelm you - there are people who can help guide you through this process.

I'm in almost the exact same boat - had a morning barista job and weekend wedding photography gig that both ended in late December. The NYS Department of Labor system was pretty straightforward about combining the wages, but what surprised me was that they also factor in your work patterns when determining ongoing eligibility. Since both of my jobs were somewhat irregular (coffee shop had varying hours, photography was seasonal), they asked for more detailed documentation about my typical weekly earnings. One thing that helped was keeping a simple spreadsheet of my hours and pay from both jobs for the past year - made it much easier when they requested additional info. The processing did take about 3 weeks like others mentioned, but having organized records definitely sped up the verification process. Also, don't stress too much about the work search requirements initially - focus on getting your claim processed first, then you can work with them to clarify what types of job searches count toward your requirements.

I was in a very similar situation last year with two part-time jobs (grocery store and weekend delivery driving) that both ended in November. NYS Department of Labor definitely counts wages from all your covered employers - in fact, having multiple jobs can sometimes work in your favor because they use your highest earning quarter to calculate benefits. One thing I learned is that you should double-check that both employers were actually paying unemployment taxes. Most legitimate employers do, but I had an issue where my delivery job was initially classified as independent contractor work, which doesn't count toward unemployment benefits. If either of your jobs paid you as a 1099 contractor instead of W-2 employee, that could affect your calculation. You can verify this by looking at your tax documents or asking NYS Department of Labor to review your wage history. The whole process took about 3 weeks for me, but once approved, I was getting benefits based on my combined earnings from both jobs, which was actually higher than I expected!

I'm in a similar situation - filed about 3 weeks ago and still waiting on determination. What's been helpful for me is setting up direct deposit if you haven't already, so when the approval does come through, you'll get payments faster. Also, I've been keeping detailed records of all my job search activities and weekly certifications just in case they ask for documentation later. The uncertainty is definitely stressful, but from what I'm seeing here, it sounds like most people eventually get approved if it's a straightforward layoff situation. Try to hang in there!

I'm in week 4 of waiting for my determination and it's been really tough financially. What I've learned from calling multiple times is that they're processing claims in the order they were received, but complex cases get pulled aside for additional review. One thing that helped me was double-checking that all my employer information was entered correctly when I filed - apparently even small discrepancies in company names or addresses can trigger additional verification steps that add weeks to the process. If you worked for any large corporations or temp agencies, those often take longer because they have more complex reporting systems. Keep certifying weekly no matter what - I've heard horror stories of people missing payments because they stopped certifying during the determination period.