good for you getting off the system! I've been trying to find work for 8 months now and still nothing. The job search requirements are such a pain.

Just want to add that if your part-time job has irregular hours or you're not sure about the full-time conversion timeline, you might want to keep your claim open initially and just report your part-time earnings each week. NYS allows you to work part-time while collecting reduced benefits as long as you report all wages honestly. This way you have a safety net if the full-time position doesn't materialize. Once you're confident about steady full-time work, then do the proper closure process everyone mentioned above.

I went through this exact same situation last year. The waiting period is frustrating but it's standard - you won't get paid for your first week of unemployment, and then it takes about 2-3 business days after your second weekly claim is processed. So you're looking at roughly 2.5-3 weeks from when you first filed. I know it's stressful with rent coming up, but hang in there. Once the payments start, they're usually pretty reliable as long as you keep filing every Sunday. Also, when you do get your first payment, it should include the back pay for the eligible weeks, so it'll be a bit larger than your regular weekly amount.

Hey QuantumQuasar, I totally understand the stress about rent! I went through the same thing when I first filed. One thing that helped me was calling my landlord early to explain the situation - many are understanding about unemployment delays, especially if you have a good rental history. You might be able to work out a short extension or payment plan. Also, don't forget to check if you qualify for any emergency rental assistance programs in your area while waiting for your unemployment to kick in. The waiting period really is the worst part, but once it starts flowing, you'll be okay. Hang in there!

I'm going through the same situation right now and this thread has been incredibly helpful! My hearing is scheduled for next week and I was feeling completely overwhelmed until I read all these responses. I especially appreciate the practical tips about testing phone connections, having water nearby, and creating a timeline with specific dates. One question I have - for those who had favorable outcomes, how detailed did you get when explaining your separation from your job? I was laid off due to "budget cuts" but I suspect it was actually retaliation for filing a complaint with HR about my supervisor. Should I mention the HR complaint or just stick to the official reason they gave me? I have documentation of both the complaint and the layoff notice, but I'm not sure how much detail to go into during the hearing. Thanks again to everyone who shared their experiences - it's made such a difference in my stress level knowing what to expect!

I'm in a similar boat and this thread has been so reassuring! My hearing is in about 10 days and I was panicking until I found this discussion. The practical advice here is gold - especially about testing your phone connection beforehand and having all your documents organized. For anyone else preparing, I wanted to add that I called the NYSDOL office yesterday and they confirmed that hearings are still being conducted primarily by phone, and they said to call in exactly at your scheduled time (not early, not late). They also mentioned that if you have any technical difficulties during the hearing, you should speak up immediately rather than trying to struggle through. I'm making my timeline this weekend and organizing all my paperwork. It's so helpful to know that most people found their judges to be fair and professional. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - you're really helping fellow New Yorkers get through this stressful process! I'll update after my hearing to add to the collective wisdom here.

I just went through this exact process about 6 weeks ago and wanted to share some tips that really helped me! Yes, you can absolutely reapply right after your benefit year ends - don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Here's what worked for me: • Applied online at 7:30 AM on a Tuesday (early morning really does help avoid system crashes) • Had a folder ready with all employment info from the past 2 years - dates, wages, employer contact details • Created a simple Excel sheet tracking every job application with company name, position, date applied, and contact info • Made sure to answer my phone during business hours - they called me after about 2 weeks to verify some details The whole process took about 3.5 weeks from application to first payment. My new weekly amount was actually $23 higher than my previous claim because I had worked some overtime during my base period. One thing that surprised me - they were really thorough about verifying my job search efforts, so definitely keep detailed records of everywhere you've applied. They asked for specific company names and dates during my phone interview. The waiting period is stressful but hang in there! The system works, it's just slow. Make sure to keep certifying weekly even while your application is being processed. You've got this! 💪

I'm also in this exact situation - my benefit year just ended two weeks ago and I'm still unemployed despite applying to dozens of jobs. This thread has been incredibly reassuring! Reading everyone's experiences makes me feel so much less alone in this process. Based on all the helpful advice here, I'm planning to apply online early next week. I've already started organizing all my employment records and creating that detailed job search spreadsheet that several people mentioned. It's clear that having everything documented is crucial for when they verify the details. One question I haven't seen addressed yet - for those who successfully reapplied, did you have to go through any kind of waiting period before benefits started, or did they resume right away once approved? Also, @Amina Diop and @Jungleboo Soletrain, when you mention they called to verify details, was that a one-time call or multiple follow-ups? Thanks to everyone sharing their experiences - this community support is amazing and makes navigating the system feel so much less overwhelming! 🙏

Same boat here! Filed yesterday and crossing my fingers it comes through by Wednesday. The waiting is the worst part of this whole unemployment thing.

From my experience, NYS Department of Labor definitely doesn't process payments on weekends. I've been on unemployment for a few months now and the pattern is always the same - file your weekly certification on Sunday/Monday, and the payment hits my account on Tuesday or Wednesday. Since today is Monday and your rent is due tomorrow, unfortunately you'll probably have to wait until Tuesday at the earliest. I know it's super stressful when you're cutting it close with bills! Maybe reach out to your landlord to let them know the payment is coming just a day or two late?