The NYS Department of Labor will look at whether you willfully violated company policy or if there were circumstances beyond your control. Health issues that prevent you from working are usually considered beyond your control. Make sure you have documentation ready in case they request it during the adjudication process. Also keep doing your job search activities while you wait for the decision on your claim.

I went through something similar - was discharged for attendance issues related to a chronic condition. The NYS Department of Labor approved my claim because I was able to show that my absences were health-related and not willful misconduct. Key things that helped me: 1) I was honest about the discharge reason when filing, 2) I had medical documentation ready (even partial records help), and 3) I emphasized that I intended to return to work and wasn't abandoning the job. The adjudication took about 4-5 weeks but it was worth the wait. Don't let the discharge discourage you from applying - you have a good chance of approval given the medical circumstances.

Reading through all these comments makes me realize I'm not going crazy - the NYS Department of Labor system really is as broken as it feels when you're in the middle of it. I've been unemployed for 2 months now and honestly, dealing with their bureaucracy has become more stressful than the actual job loss. The constant uncertainty about whether my benefits will come through, the hours spent on hold only to be disconnected, the confusing forms that seem designed to trip you up - it's like they've turned getting help into a full-time nightmare. What really bothers me is how this system is supposed to be there for people during one of the most vulnerable times in their lives, but instead it adds this whole extra layer of anxiety and frustration. I shouldn't have to become an expert in government bureaucracy just to access benefits I paid into when I was working. The real "problem of unemployment" isn't just being out of work - it's having to fight tooth and nail with the very system that's supposed to help you get back on your feet.

What really struck me reading through everyone's experiences is how the NYS Department of Labor system seems to create this psychological burden that goes way beyond the financial stress of unemployment. I'm dealing with my first unemployment claim right now and I keep second-guessing myself - did I fill out that form correctly? Am I meeting the job search requirements the right way? Did I report my freelance income properly? The constant anxiety about making a mistake that could jeopardize my benefits is exhausting. It's like they've designed the system to make you feel guilty for needing help in the first place. I find myself spending hours double-checking everything because I'm terrified of triggering some review process that will delay my benefits even longer. The irony is that this mental energy could be much better spent on actually finding a new job, which is supposedly what the system is trying to encourage. Has anyone else found themselves in this constant state of anxiety about whether they're "doing unemployment right"?

One thing to keep in mind is that your benefit amount will also depend on when you earned that $65k - they look at your "base period" which is typically the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you file. So if you file now, they'd look at your earnings from roughly Q1 2024 through Q4 2024. If you had periods of lower earnings or gaps in employment during that time, it could affect your weekly benefit amount even if your most recent salary was $65k.

Just wanted to add that you should file as soon as possible since there's usually a one-week waiting period before you start receiving benefits. Also, make sure you have all your employment records ready - they'll need your W-2s or pay stubs from the base period to verify your earnings. The sooner you get everything submitted correctly, the faster they can process your claim and calculate your exact weekly benefit amount. Good luck with your job search!

This is really helpful info everyone! I'm dealing with a similar situation where I was laid off but worried my employer might report it differently. Quick question - is there a way for us to see what our employer actually submitted on the separation notice, or do we only find out if there's a problem during adjudication? Want to make sure I'm prepared in case there are any discrepancies when I file my claim.

One thing to keep in mind is that the separation notice also includes information about any severance pay or vacation payout you received. This can affect when your benefits start since NYS considers some types of separation pay as wages that might delay your first payment. When you file your claim, make sure to report any final payments accurately - including vacation time, sick leave buyouts, or severance. The separation notice will have all these details, so consistency is key to avoiding delays in processing.

I was in your exact same position last year - totally clueless about the tax implications and stressed about making the wrong choice! After going through it, I can tell you that choosing the withholding option was absolutely the right call. Here's what I wish someone had told me upfront: unemployment benefits are taxed just like regular income, so every dollar you receive will be subject to both federal and NY state taxes. The 10% federal withholding they offer will handle a good chunk of your federal tax obligation, but you'll likely still owe NY state taxes (usually around 4-8% depending on your income level). When I calculated it out, I received about $8,000 in benefits over 4 months, and without any withholding I would have owed roughly $1,200 in total taxes. With the 10% federal withholding, I only ended up owing about $300 at tax time - so much more manageable! The peace of mind alone is worth getting those smaller weekly payments. Plus, if you end up finding work quickly, you'll still be glad you had some taxes withheld since all those unemployment benefits count as taxable income for the year regardless of when you received them.

I just went through this decision myself a few months back and completely understand your confusion! The NYS Department of Labor website doesn't explain it very clearly. Here's my advice based on what I learned: absolutely choose the withholding option. Unemployment benefits are fully taxable income at both federal and state levels. The 10% federal withholding won't cover everything you'll owe (you'll still likely owe NY state taxes), but it makes a HUGE difference. I received about $12,000 in benefits over 5 months, and without any withholding I would have owed around $1,800 total in taxes. With the 10% federal withholding, I only owed about $400 at tax time. That $400 was manageable - $1,800 all at once would have been devastating. Think of it as paying taxes as you go rather than getting hit with a massive bill later. You can always change your withholding preference later through your online account if needed, but I'd strongly recommend starting with it. The slightly smaller weekly payments are so worth avoiding that tax season panic!