Having gone through this process recently myself, I can confirm what others have said about the formula being based on your highest quarter rather than a percentage. One thing I'd add is that timing can really matter when you file - your base period is typically the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you file your claim. So if you just got laid off last week and file now, they'll look at your wages from early 2024 through late 2024. Since you worked 8 months at $18/hour, you should definitely have enough wages to qualify. I'd recommend filing as soon as possible since there's usually a one-week waiting period before benefits start, and you can't get benefits for weeks before you actually file your claim. The online application on labor.ny.gov is pretty straightforward once you have your employment history and wage info ready.

I just went through this same process a couple months ago after getting laid off from my restaurant job. The NYS Department of Labor calculation definitely isn't straightforward at first! What really helped me understand it was looking at my actual quarterly wage statements - you can usually find these on your pay stubs or request them from HR. Since you worked 8 months at $18/hour, you likely have wages in at least 2-3 quarters which should meet the minimum requirements. One tip: when you file your claim, make sure all your employer information is exactly right (business name, address, etc.) because any errors can delay your processing. Also keep track of your job search activities from day one since you'll need to report them weekly to maintain eligibility. The waiting can be stressful but having that weekly benefit amount definitely helps bridge the gap while you're looking for your next opportunity.

I'm having this exact same PIN problem too! Filed my initial claim about 5 weeks ago and never received anything in the mail with a PIN. I've been stressing about my weekly certification for days thinking I missed something obvious. Reading through everyone's experiences here is such a huge relief - clearly this is a widespread issue with their mail system. I'm definitely going to try calling right at 8 AM tomorrow with all my info ready (SSN, claimant ID, filing date, etc.) and also check my NY.gov account documents section first like so many people suggested. It's really frustrating that something so essential for our weekly benefits can just disappear in the mail with no backup notification, but at least now I know exactly what steps to take. Thanks to everyone for sharing their solutions - this community has been incredibly helpful for navigating this confusing system!

I'm dealing with this exact same PIN issue right now! Filed my claim about 2 weeks ago and never got any PIN letter in the mail. I've been putting off my weekly certification because I had no idea what this 4-digit number was supposed to be - honestly thought it might be the last 4 digits of my SSN or something. This whole thread has been incredibly helpful and reassuring to read. It's clear this PIN mail delivery problem is way more common than it should be. I'm definitely going to try the 8 AM calling strategy tomorrow with all my documents ready, and I'll also check my NY.gov account thoroughly first since so many people found their PIN info hiding in there. Really appreciate everyone sharing their step-by-step experiences - makes this whole bureaucratic mess feel much less overwhelming when you know other people have successfully navigated it!

yeah you can work just dont go over the limit or they take it away dollar for dollar which sucks

Just want to add that when you do report your Instacart earnings, make sure you're tracking your expenses too (gas, car maintenance, etc.) for tax purposes. The income you report to NYS DOL should be your gross earnings before expenses, but you'll want those expense records when tax time comes around since you'll likely be filing as a 1099 contractor. Also, keep detailed records of what you earned each week - screenshots of your Instacart earnings, dates, amounts. This will make your weekly certifications much easier and protect you if there are ever any questions later.

I've been reading through all these responses and they're super helpful! I'm actually dealing with a similar situation right now where I can access my NY.gov ID but it's not properly linked to my unemployment account. When I try to log in, it takes me to a page that says "no claims found" even though I know I have an active claim. Has anyone else run into this specific linking issue? I'm wondering if I should call the technical support number or if there's a way to fix the linkage online. Really don't want to sit on hold for hours if there's a simpler solution!

I just want to thank everyone who contributed to this thread - this is exactly the kind of information that should be stickied or made into a guide somewhere! The NY unemployment system is so unnecessarily complicated with all the different login methods and account linking issues. I'm saving this whole thread for future reference. A few quick tips to add based on what I've learned from dealing with government websites: 1. Always use the same browser when accessing government sites - they can be finicky with cookies and sessions 2. Never use incognito/private browsing mode for important accounts because you lose all the auto-save benefits 3. Screenshot or write down your account details immediately after creating any government account - don't rely on memory! 4. If you move, update your address with ALL your government accounts separately - they don't talk to each other The system really needs to be simplified but at least we can help each other navigate the mess. Thanks again to everyone who shared their experiences and solutions!

Congrats on getting your payment so quickly! That's really encouraging to hear. I'm on day 8 of waiting for my first payment after being laid off from my retail job. I also did the ID.me verification right away after reading all the advice here, and I've been certifying weekly even though my claim is still pending. One thing I wanted to add for others - I called the customer service line yesterday (took 45 minutes to get through) and the agent told me that even though my claim shows "pending" online, it's actually moving through the system normally. She said sometimes the online status doesn't update in real-time, so don't panic if it still says pending after a week or two. The agent was able to see more detailed status info on her end. Fingers crossed I get mine soon too! Thanks for updating us with your timeline.

I'm currently on day 16 of waiting for my first payment after being laid off from my marketing job. Did the ID.me verification immediately and have been certifying weekly, but still showing "pending" status online. What I've learned from calling twice is that March applications are taking a bit longer than usual due to a system update they did in early March. The first agent told me 2-3 weeks, the second one (called yesterday) said they're seeing most March claims process around the 18-21 day mark now. One tip that might help others - when you call, ask them to check if your employer has responded to their inquiry yet. In my case, they sent the standard separation verification to my former employer on day 3, but the employer has 10 business days to respond. The agent said once they get that response (assuming no disputes), payments usually go out within 2-3 business days. So it's not just about completing your part of the application - there's a whole back-and-forth with employers that can add time. Just wanted to share this since I didn't realize how much the employer response timing could impact things!