Have you considered asking your employer about a layoff instead? Some companies will work with employees who are relocating, especially if they value you as an employee. It's worth having that conversation before you just quit outright.

I actually went through this exact situation about a year ago when my spouse got transferred to California. NYS Department of Labor did initially deny my claim, but I found out there's a specific provision for "compelling family circumstances" that can sometimes apply to spousal job relocations. The key is documenting that the move was necessary (not just voluntary) and that you made reasonable efforts to continue employment. I had to appeal the initial decision and provide documentation showing my husband's job offer, proof that my company had no remote work options, and evidence that I tried to find comparable employment in NY before the move. It took about 3 months to get approved, but I did eventually receive benefits. The process was definitely stressful, but it might be worth exploring if you can show the move is truly necessary rather than just a preference.

I feel your pain, OP. Been there, done that. It's like trying to win the lottery just to talk to a human being. Have you tried calling right when they open? Sometimes that works for me.

I've been in the exact same situation and it's beyond frustrating! What finally worked for me was a combination of calling right at 8 AM sharp and using the auto-redial feature on my phone. I also found that Tuesday through Thursday tend to be slightly less busy than Mondays and Fridays. One thing that helped was having someone else call from a different phone at the same time - doubled my chances of getting through. Also, don't hang up if you get put on hold for a long time, even if it's been over an hour. I waited 2.5 hours once but finally got through. The key is persistence and not giving up. You got this!

Don't let the complexity discourage you from applying! I was in a similar situation where I had worked at two different places within the year and wasn't sure if it would count. The online application at my.ny.gov actually walks you through entering all your employment history from the past 18 months, and their system automatically calculates whether you meet the requirements. You'll need your employer information, dates worked, and gross wages for each job. Since you have 8 months total of work history this year, you're likely in good shape as long as your combined earnings hit those thresholds that Melina mentioned.

Pedro, based on what you've described, you should definitely apply! With 6 months of work earlier this year plus your recent 2 months, you likely have enough work history to qualify. The NYS Department of Labor will look at your entire base period (typically the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters) when determining eligibility. Since you were laid off due to company downsizing and didn't quit voluntarily, you should meet the separation requirements too. Make sure you have all your employment information handy - employer names, addresses, dates of employment, and your gross wages from both jobs. The online application will guide you through everything and automatically calculate if you meet the monetary requirements.

I've been dealing with similar payment status confusion on my.ny.gov for months now! One thing that really helped me was setting up text notifications through the DOL system - you can enable them in your account settings under "Communication Preferences." They'll send you updates when your claim is processed or if there are any issues. It's not perfect but at least you get notified instead of constantly checking the website. Also, I learned that payments typically get released between 2-4 AM on Wednesday mornings, so if you don't see it by Thursday, that's when you know something is definitely wrong and need to call.

I've been through this exact same frustration with the NYS DOL system! One thing that really helped me was downloading the mobile app instead of using the website - it seems to update more consistently and shows payment status more accurately. Also, if you're having trouble with the job search verification that @Tami Morgan mentioned, make sure you're submitting it in the exact format they want. I had to resubmit mine because I used bullet points instead of numbered entries. The whole system is definitely clunky but once you figure out these little quirks it gets easier to navigate.

Just wanted to say thanks for asking this question! I'm in almost the exact same boat - worked somewhere for just under 3 months before getting laid off. Reading these responses makes me feel much better about filing my claim.

Don't let the complexity discourage you from filing! I work as a benefits counselor and see this situation all the time. The NYS Department of Labor system is definitely confusing, but the key thing to remember is that unemployment insurance is designed to help workers who lose their jobs through no fault of their own - regardless of how long they worked at their last position. Your two years of previous employment history is exactly what the base period calculation is meant to capture. I'd recommend filing online at labor.ny.gov as soon as possible since there's a waiting period, and you can always appeal if there are any issues with your initial determination.