I went through something very similar when I was laid off from my manufacturing job last year. I waited almost a month thinking they'd call me back, and I was kicking myself when I finally realized I needed to file. Here's what I learned from my experience: NYS DOL approved my backdating for 3 out of the 4 weeks I requested. The key was that I had saved all my text messages with my supervisor and emails from HR about "temporary layoffs" and discussions about when production might resume. When I filed my claim, I wrote a detailed explanation that included specific dates of each conversation and what was discussed. I also mentioned that as a first-time filer, I genuinely didn't understand the urgency of filing immediately. They seemed understanding of that. My advice: file TODAY, be completely honest about why you waited, include every piece of communication you have with your employer, and don't give up hope. Even if you only get partial backdating, it's better than nothing. The whole process took about 3 weeks to get a decision, but it was worth the wait. Good luck!

I'm in the exact same boat right now - got laid off from my construction job 2.5 weeks ago and kept thinking they'd call me back for the next project. My foreman even told me "we'll probably have something in a week or two" but now it's looking like that's not happening. Reading through all these responses is really eye-opening - I had no clue that waiting could cost me those weeks of benefits. I've got some text exchanges with my supervisor too about potential work coming up. Definitely going to file my claim tomorrow and request backdating. It's crazy that they don't make this more obvious when you get laid off. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences, especially those who got approved for backdating - gives me hope that having those supervisor communications will help my case!

Hey Javier, I'm so sorry you're going through this - being pregnant and dealing with unemployment stress is absolutely awful. I went through something similar last year (though not pregnant) and here's what I learned: You're right that the website just loops you back to your existing claim - that's normal when benefits are exhausted. The key is getting through to an actual person who can check if there are any extensions or programs you qualify for, especially given your pregnancy. A few practical things to try immediately: - Call 211 for local assistance programs (as someone mentioned above) - Check if you qualify for emergency assistance through your county - Look into Short Term Disability if your pregnancy qualifies - Apply for SNAP if you haven't already I know everyone's saying to call unemployment directly, but honestly after reading all these comments about Claimyr, it might be worth the cost to skip the phone hell and get answers faster. When you're 7 months pregnant, time is really important. Also don't feel bad about the job search - anyone saying it's easy to find work while visibly pregnant has clearly never tried it. Employers are awful about this even though it's illegal. You've got this, and there ARE resources out there to help bridge the gap. Don't give up!

I'm really sorry you're dealing with this while pregnant - that's incredibly stressful timing. From what I understand, NY typically allows 26 weeks of regular unemployment benefits, and once those are exhausted, you usually can't file a new claim until your benefit year ends (which would be around December 2023 for you). However, given your pregnancy, there might be additional options available. Here are some things to explore: 1. **Extended Benefits** - These aren't always available but worth checking. You'll need to speak with an agent to see if NY currently offers any extensions. 2. **Disability Benefits** - At 7 months pregnant, you might qualify for short-term disability benefits, especially as you get closer to your due date. 3. **Emergency Assistance Programs** - NY has emergency assistance for pregnant women and families in crisis situations. The biggest challenge is actually reaching someone at the unemployment office. I've been seeing people in this thread mention Claimyr as a way to get through faster - might be worth considering given your time-sensitive situation. Also, definitely keep pursuing other assistance programs like SNAP, WIC, and any county-specific emergency aid. Being pregnant should help you qualify for expedited assistance in many programs. Don't lose hope - there are safety nets available, even if they're not well-advertised. You're being smart by reaching out and asking for help now rather than waiting.

I went through a similar appeal process last year and can share what I learned. The NY Department of Labor publishes annual statistics, and employers typically win appeals in about 20-30% of cases, but it varies significantly based on the reason for termination. Performance-related firings usually favor the employee unless there's clear documentation of willful misconduct or policy violations. The fact that you have documentation of safety complaints is huge - New York has strong whistleblower protections, and retaliation for reporting safety issues is a serious violation. I'd recommend organizing your evidence into a clear timeline: when you made the complaints, how your employer responded, and when the termination occurred. If there's a short timeframe between your safety complaints and termination, that pattern often speaks for itself at hearings. Stay calm, stick to facts, and let your documentation do the talking. You're in a stronger position than you might think!

I'm new to this whole unemployment appeals process and reading through everyone's experiences here is really eye-opening. I had no idea that employers only win appeals around 25-35% of the time - that's actually much better odds than I expected! I'm not dealing with an appeal myself right now, but I've been worried about the possibility since my own unemployment claim is still being processed. It's really encouraging to see how people like Grant have organized their documentation and built strong cases, especially with the safety complaint angle. The advice about keeping everything chronological and letting the timeline speak for itself seems like solid strategy. Thanks to everyone sharing their experiences and knowledge here - this community is incredibly helpful for those of us navigating these complex systems for the first time.

Not to sound like a conspiracy nut but try calling from a different area code if possible. I was using my NY cell and getting disconnected constantly. Used my mom's phone with an out-of-state area code and got through first try. I think they might be filtering calls from certain area codes that are high-volume.

I've been dealing with this exact same issue! After reading through all these suggestions, I'm going to try a few different approaches. First, I'll attempt calling from a different phone number early in the morning like Connor suggested. If that doesn't work, I'll definitely look into contacting my state representative - that seems like a really good option that I hadn't considered. The claimyr.com service that several people mentioned sounds promising too, though I'm a bit hesitant about paying for something that should be free. Has anyone tried the different phone numbers that Omar mentioned? I'd love to know which specific 888 number works best. This whole situation is so stressful when you're already dealing with financial pressure from being unemployed. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and solutions!

I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago - part-time job, fired for attendance, successfully got unemployment benefits. Here's what I learned: First, apply immediately online at labor.ny.gov (not my.ny.gov as someone mentioned). You absolutely can qualify as a part-time worker - I was only working 22 hours/week. The key is meeting the wage requirements, which you likely do with 8 months at $16/hour. For the attendance issue, document everything you can remember - dates you were late, reasons why, any communications with your manager, company policies, how other employees were treated. The fact that you only had one verbal warning actually works in your favor. Many people get denied initially but win on appeal. Don't let that discourage you from applying. The worst they can say is no, and then you have the right to appeal with a hearing where you can present your side. Start your claim ASAP because there's a waiting period, and benefits are only paid from the date you file, not from when you were terminated. You've got this!

I just want to add that being late due to conflicts with another job actually strengthens your case rather than hurts it. NYS Department of Labor recognizes that many people work multiple jobs to make ends meet, and schedule conflicts between jobs don't typically constitute misconduct - especially when you're making a good faith effort to fulfill both obligations. The fact that you were only late "a couple times" over 8 months shows you were generally reliable. I'd recommend when you file your claim, emphasize that the tardiness was due to your commitment to maintaining multiple jobs rather than any lack of reliability or work ethic. Document your other job's schedule and any communications you had with your retail manager about the conflicts. This context could be crucial if your case goes to adjudication or appeal. Also, don't wait - file immediately since you can't get benefits for weeks before you apply, even if you're ultimately approved.