When you file, be honest about what happened but emphasize any work-related issues that contributed to your decision. Mental health is taken more seriously now than it used to be. If you do get denied, you have 30 days to file an appeal and request a hearing.

I went through something similar last year. The key is to document everything you can remember about why you felt you couldn't continue working - even if you don't have official medical records, write down dates when you had panic attacks, any interactions with supervisors that made things worse, or changes in your work environment. NYS DOL does consider mental health as a valid reason for leaving if you can show it was work-related. Also, don't let your employer's initial response discourage you - many employers will claim "job abandonment" but if you can show you had good cause, the adjudicator might see it differently. The process takes time but it's worth pursuing.

Based on all the information in this thread, it sounds like you're dealing with a system error rather than an eligibility issue. Your best course of action is to: 1. Try to reach a Tier 2 specialist who can access the audit log as mentioned 2. Submit the TC-403.1 form as formal documentation of the issue 3. Continue weekly certifications even for past weeks if the system allows it 4. Request a formal determination letter that you can appeal if necessary The good news is that if you're entitled to these benefits, you will eventually receive them - including back pay for May. The bad news is that it may take persistent effort on your part. Don't give up! Document every contact attempt, follow up regularly, and be prepared to appeal if necessary.

I've been following this thread and wanted to share something that might help. I had a similar situation last year where NYSDOL created a "bridge claim" for benefits after my severance ended, but it got stuck in their system due to a processing error. What finally worked for me was calling early in the morning (around 8:05 AM) and specifically asking to speak with someone in the "Claims Resolution Unit" rather than general customer service. These specialists handle complex cases like yours where there are system discrepancies between what was promised and what's showing up. When you get through, explain that you have a "missing effective date claim" for May and that you need them to check for any "orphaned claim records" in their system. Use those exact terms - it seems to trigger them to look in the right places. Also, keep a detailed log of every call with date, time, representative name/ID, and exactly what they tell you. If this goes on much longer, you might need to escalate to your state assemblyperson's office - they have direct lines to NYSDOL supervisors and can often resolve these kinds of bureaucratic nightmares quickly. Don't give up! You're entitled to those benefits and the system owes you that money.

I had a similar issue a few months back and found that sometimes the records are also available through the "Correspondence" section of your unemployment account. After logging into my.ny.gov, check under Unemployment Services > Correspondence or Messages - sometimes they store quarterly benefit statements there that include the detailed payment breakdowns you need. Also, if you're having persistent issues with the website, try accessing it using a private/incognito browser window - this clears any cached data that might be interfering with the page loading properly. The NYS system can be finicky about stored cookies and session data. Good luck getting those records for your accountant!

I work as a tax preparer and help clients with this issue frequently. One thing I always tell people is to make sure they're downloading the "Annual Statement" or "Year-End Summary" in addition to the detailed weekly payment history. The annual statement is usually a separate document that provides a clean, one-page overview of total benefits received, total taxes withheld, and other deductions for the entire year. This document is particularly helpful for tax preparation because it summarizes everything in a format that's easy to cross-reference with your 1099-G form. You can typically find this in the same section as the detailed payment history, but it might be listed as a separate download option. Also, keep both the detailed weekly records AND the annual summary - some accountants prefer to see the week-by-week breakdown to verify accuracy, while others just need the summary totals.

My two cents as someone who's been through the seasonal work unemployment cycle like 5 times now: the key is consistency in your answers. Pick 'lack of work' and stick with it. The system flags inconsistencies more than anything else. Also, expect at least one payment to be delayed while they review - it's annoying but normal.

I went through this exact same situation with my seasonal retail job last year! The "break in claim" message is totally normal when you go from reporting hours to zero hours - it's just the system's way of flagging the change for review. Definitely select "lack of work" since that's literally what happened - the seasonal position ended so there's no more work available. Keep certifying every single week even if payments get held up during their review process. I made the mistake of skipping a week thinking my claim was messed up and it created a whole other headache. The system is confusing but it does work for seasonal employees - you just have to be patient and persistent!

The key thing to remember is that PFL and unemployment serve different purposes under NYS Department of Labor rules. PFL is administered through your employer's insurance carrier, while unemployment is directly through NYS Department of Labor. Make sure you understand which benefit better fits your current needs before making the switch.

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now. From what I've learned, you definitely need to be strategic about timing. Since you're already on unemployment, you might want to calculate whether PFL would provide better financial support for your family caregiving period. PFL typically pays about 67% of your average weekly wage (up to a cap), while unemployment varies. Also consider that PFL has a maximum duration of 12 weeks per benefit year, so you'll want to make sure that timeframe aligns with your mom's care needs. It's worth calling both programs to get exact figures for your situation before making the switch.