I went through something similar when I got fired for "attitude problems" which was really just me advocating for proper break times. NYS Department of Labor ruled in my favor because my employer couldn't prove I willfully violated any specific policy. The fact that your termination letter is vague and just mentions "performance standards" without specifics actually works in your favor. Keep records of your sick day call-ins and any company policies about attendance. If you followed proper procedures for calling out sick, that's definitely not misconduct. Don't panic about rent - even if there's a delay, you can often get benefits backdated once approved.

I had a similar experience where I was terminated for "attendance issues" but it was really just two legitimate sick days. When I filed my unemployment claim, I was completely honest about the circumstances - included details about following company call-out procedures and having no prior warnings. NYS Department of Labor approved my benefits because they determined that calling out sick when actually ill doesn't constitute willful misconduct. The key is being truthful on your application and keeping any documentation you have (texts/emails about calling out, employee handbook policies, etc.). Even if your employer contests the claim, you'll get a hearing where you can explain your side. Don't let the fear of denial stop you from being honest - it's much worse to get caught in a lie later than to deal with a potential appeal upfront.

I went through the same thing when I first got approved! The waiting week threw me off too - I kept checking my card balance expecting money that wasn't coming yet. Once you get past that first week though, the payments are pretty reliable. I've been getting mine every Wednesday for the past 6 months. Just make sure you have your direct deposit set up if you haven't already, it's way more convenient than the KeyBank card.

I've been on NYS unemployment for about 8 months now and can confirm what others are saying - it's weekly payments, usually hitting your account on Wednesdays if you file your weekly claim on Sunday. The one-week waiting period is standard for everyone's first payment, so don't panic when you don't see money right away. One thing I'd add is to make sure you answer all the weekly certification questions accurately - even small mistakes can trigger a review that delays your payments. And definitely consider switching to direct deposit if you haven't already - the KeyBank debit card has annoying fees and sometimes takes an extra day to load your benefits.

Try looking in your text messages if you provided a phone number when applying - NYS DOL sometimes sends confirmation texts with your claim number. Also, if you remember any part of your SSN or personal info used during application, the "forgot username/password" option on the login page might help you recover access to see your full claim details online.

If you can't find your unemployment insurance number anywhere, you can also try creating a new my.ny.gov account using the same SSN and personal info you used originally. The system should recognize you already have a claim and link you to your existing account automatically. This happened to me when I forgot my login details - it pulled up my claim info right away without needing to remember the specific UI number.

I just went through this same nightmare situation 2 months ago - remote worker for a Texas company, got laid off, total confusion about addresses. Here's what actually worked for me after weeks of headaches: The NY system has gotten better at handling remote work, but the interface is still confusing. You'll see TWO separate address questions: 1. First one asks for "employer's business address" - use the California address here 2. Later it asks "where did you physically work" - put your Brooklyn address here The "out-of-state employer" warning is normal - don't panic! It just means the system needs to coordinate between states for tax purposes. My biggest mistake was overthinking it. I originally tried to put my home address as the "employer address" thinking I was being helpful, and it completely screwed up my claim. Had to call (took 47 attempts to get through) and start over. Timeline wise: my claim took about 12 days to get approved, which the agent told me was actually pretty fast for an interstate remote situation. The key is being consistent with your answers and not trying to outsmart the system. Also - keep ALL your documentation from your employer showing you were authorized to work remotely from NY. You might need it later if they ask for verification.

I'm going through this exact same situation right now! Remote worker for a company based in Austin, TX while living in Manhattan. Just got laid off last Friday due to company downsizing and I'm totally stressed about messing up the address part of my unemployment claim. After reading through all these responses, it sounds like the consensus is pretty clear - use the company's actual business address for the "employer address" question, then when it asks where you physically worked, put your home address. The two-question system that @Anita George and @Bethany Groves described makes total sense. What's really helpful is hearing everyone's actual timelines - sounds like 10-14 days is pretty normal for remote work claims, which is manageable. I was worried it would take months based on some horror stories I'd heard. One question for anyone who's been through this - did any of you have issues with the fact that your employer might not have been paying into the NY unemployment system? I'm wondering if that creates additional complications since my company is Texas-based and I assume they're paying unemployment taxes there, not in NY. Or does the interstate coordination that people mentioned handle that automatically? Planning to file this weekend and really appreciate all the detailed advice in this thread! Will definitely take screenshots like @Anita George suggested.

I went through the NYS unemployment appeal process two years ago and won my case after being initially denied for "misconduct." Based on my experience and research, I'd say the success rate for legitimate appeals is much better than people think - probably around 45-60% when you have proper documentation and a valid case. Your situation with safety concerns is actually very strong legally. New York has robust whistleblower protections, and employers cannot retaliate against employees who raise legitimate safety issues in good faith. The fact that you have text messages documenting your safety concerns before the incident is huge - that shows you were being proactive about workplace hazards, not just causing trouble. Here's what helped me prepare: create a detailed timeline of events, gather all written evidence (emails, texts, photos), and practice explaining your situation clearly and calmly. The hearing itself was less intimidating than expected - conducted by phone with an administrative law judge who asked specific questions about what happened. My hearing lasted about 45 minutes, and the employer did participate, but the judge was very fair in evaluating both sides. The whole process took about 8 weeks from filing to decision. Don't let the initial denial discourage you - that decision was made by someone reviewing paperwork, but the appeal gives you a chance to tell your full story to an impartial judge. Given your safety concerns and documentation, I'd strongly encourage you to file that appeal. You're in a much stronger position than you realize.

I'm going through a similar situation right now - was denied benefits after being terminated for what they called "misconduct" but I was actually trying to address some serious issues at work. Reading all these success stories is really giving me hope! It sounds like having documentation is absolutely critical. I've been hesitant to file an appeal because I thought the odds were stacked against me, but seeing that 40-60% success rate mentioned by several people here is encouraging. Quick question - for those who won their appeals, did you represent yourself or did you have any legal help? I'm wondering if I should try to find an attorney or if it's something I can handle on my own with good preparation.