@Carmen Ortiz - This gives me hope! I m'in a similar situation where they classified my layoff as misconduct. Quick question - when you gathered your documentation, did you also get statements from coworkers who were laid off at the same time? I m'wondering if having multiple people who can verify it was a company-wide downsizing would strengthen my appeal. Also, did you end up having to do a phone hearing or was it handled through written submissions?

@Carmen Ortiz Thank you so much for sharing your experience! This is really encouraging to hear. I m'dealing with the exact same issue - they coded mine as misconduct when it was clearly a layoff due to budget cuts. I have the layoff notice and some emails about the downsizing, but I m'wondering if I should also try to get a letter from my former supervisor confirming it was a layoff? Also, did you have to pay anything to file the appeal or is it free through the NYS DOL system?

This is exactly what I needed to hear! It's so reassuring to know that the system is actually designed to handle multiple jobs and that it's becoming more common. I was worried that having two different types of work (retail and catering) would somehow complicate things, but it sounds like as long as both employers were paying into unemployment insurance, it should all work out. The 3-week processing time seems to be pretty consistent based on what everyone is saying. I'm definitely feeling more confident about this whole process now - thank you for sharing your experience!

Thanks for sharing your experience! That's really reassuring to hear from someone who went through the same thing. Quick question - when you say "available for full-time work," does that mean I need to be available during the hours I'm doing catering? Like if I cater on Saturday and Sunday, can I still mark that I'm available for work those days, or do I need to indicate I'm not available? I want to make sure I'm filling out the weekly certification correctly.

Great question about the availability requirements! From my experience, you mark yourself as available for work on the days you're NOT working the catering job. So if you cater Saturday and Sunday, you'd indicate you're not available those specific days due to work, but available Monday through Friday. The key is being honest about your availability - NYS Department of Labor understands you have a part-time job and they just want to know when you're genuinely available to accept other employment. As long as you're available for at least 3-4 days per week and actively job searching, you should be fine. Don't overthink it - just be truthful on your weekly certification about the days you worked and the days you were available for other work.

This is super helpful, thanks for breaking it down so clearly! I'm definitely going to file right away. One thing I'm wondering about - do you know if there's a minimum number of hours I need to work at the catering job to still qualify for partial benefits? Like, what if some weeks I only get 8 hours and other weeks I get 16 hours? Will the fluctuating schedule affect my eligibility as long as I'm reporting it accurately each week?

@Liam Fitzgerald I can relate to that convince "I d'land something quickly mindset" - it s'such a common mistake but hindsight is 20/20. From what I ve'seen in other threads, the 4-week backdate limit is pretty much set in stone - appeals rarely succeed unless you have documented proof of circumstances completely beyond your control like (hospitalization .)As for timing, most people seem to get their first payment 2-3 weeks after filing if there are no issues with their claim. The waiting week applies to your first week of eligibility, so with a backdated claim you d'still have that one unpaid week even if you get the 4 weeks approved. Don t'beat yourself up too much - file this weekend and focus on the benefits you can still get going forward. Every week counts from here on out!

@Liam Fitzgerald I just went through this exact situation a few months ago - also waited about 3 months thinking I d'find work quickly. The 4-week backdate really is non-negotiable, but here s'the timeline I experienced: filed on a Tuesday, got my phone interview scheduled for the following Thursday about (9 days later ,)and received my first payment exactly 3 weeks after filing. The waiting week does apply even with backdating, so you ll'have one unpaid week. Don t'waste time on appeals - I looked into it extensively and unless you have medical records or other documentation proving you literally couldn t'file, they won t'budge. Focus on getting that claim submitted ASAP and start documenting your job search activities right away. You ll'need to show 3 work search contacts per week in NY. File this weekend like you planned and don t'delay any longer!

@Hattie Carson you re'absolutely right about not letting pride delay things further - that s'exactly the trap I fell into too! I kept thinking I "m'a hard worker, I ll'definitely find something next week but" weeks turned into months. The job market really has been tougher than expected. Your point about being able to stop claiming if you find work is so important - there s'literally no downside to filing now except maybe some paperwork. I wish someone had told me that back in September. For anyone reading this who s'still on the fence about filing - just do it TODAY. Don t'be like us who learned this lesson the expensive way. Even getting those 4 backdated weeks plus ongoing benefits is so much better than getting nothing while you continue job hunting.

That's awesome that you got through! I'm still stuck in the same situation - been trying for over a week now. Just signed up for Claimyr based on your success story. Quick question - did they charge you upfront or only after they successfully connected you to a rep? And did you have to stay by your phone the whole time or could you go about your day?

@Isabella Oliveira They only charge after you successfully connect with a rep - no upfront payment! You can definitely go about your day. They send you text updates on your position in queue, and when it s'your turn they call you first to make sure you re'available before connecting you to the DOL rep. I was able to run errands and just kept my phone with me. Super convenient compared to sitting by the phone hitting redial all day!

@Anastasia Kozlov Welcome to the struggle! I went through this exact same nightmare about 6 months ago. One thing I d'add to the great advice already here - if you do try calling on Wednesday at 10:30am like Carmen s'brother suggested, have your claim information ready to go social (security number, PIN, employer details because) once you get through, they ll'want to verify everything quickly. Also keep a notepad handy to write down any reference numbers they give you. The whole process moves fast once you actually reach someone. Good luck - you ve'got this! 💪

@Anastasia Kozlov I just went through this exact same situation last week! Pro tip - when you do get through and (you will! ,)ask the rep to also check if there are any other pending issues on your account while you have them on the line. I found out I had a minor address verification flag that would have caused problems later. Also, once they process your waiting week credit, you might see a brief delay before you can certify online - don t'panic! It usually updates within 2-4 hours. The rep told me this is normal as their systems sync up. Hang in there, the relief when you finally get it resolved is amazing!