Just wanted to add that even if you can't get unemployment, you should look into other programs. There might be small business assistance or other safety net programs available. Don't give up!

Another option to consider is applying for SNAP (food assistance) or other emergency aid programs while you figure out your business situation. These programs don't have the same employment requirements as unemployment insurance. You can apply online through ACCESS HRA or myBenefits.ny.gov. Also, some local food banks and community organizations offer emergency financial assistance for small business owners - it's worth calling 211 to see what resources are available in your area.

Update: I successfully reopened my claim! For anyone with the same question - if you still have effective days left within your benefit year, you don't file a new claim. You just go through the normal certification process and it reactivates automatically. Thanks everyone for your help!

Just went through this same situation last month! Had about 80 days left on my claim when I lost my job. The key thing is checking your benefit year expiration date - you can find this in your account under "Claim Summary." If your benefit year is still active (which it sounds like it should be since you filed 7 months ago), then you definitely want to reopen your existing claim rather than file new. When I reopened mine, I had to wait about a week for the first payment to process, but then everything went back to normal. Make sure you certify for that first week even if you don't get paid for it right away - they use that to reactivate everything in their system. Good luck and glad to see from your update that you got it working!

I went through this exact same frustration a few months ago! Here's what helped me understand the system better: When you log into my.ny.gov, go to "Unemployment Services" and look for these key sections: 1) "Claim Status" - this will show if you're approved, pending, or in adjudication, 2) "Payment History" - shows any payments made or scheduled, 3) "Correspondence" - CHECK THIS! They often send important requests here that you might miss, and 4) "Weekly Certification" - make sure you keep doing this even during adjudication. The "adjudication" status basically means they're reviewing something about your claim - could be verifying your job separation, work history, or eligibility. It's frustrating but totally normal. Don't panic if you see it, just make sure you've responded to any document requests in your correspondence section. The wait times suck but most claims do get resolved eventually.

Just wanted to add - if you're having trouble understanding what you're looking at on the website, try using the desktop version instead of mobile if you can. The mobile site is even more confusing and sometimes doesn't show all the sections people are mentioning here. Also, I learned the hard way that "effective date" and "claim date" are different things - your effective date is when benefits actually start, which might be different from when you filed. One last thing - if you see any "issues" or "disqualifications" listed, don't freak out immediately. Sometimes these are just pending items they need to review, not necessarily permanent problems with your claim.

I'm in a similar situation - my company just announced they're filing Chapter 7 (complete liquidation) next month and we're all getting laid off. Reading through these responses is really helpful! Quick question for those who've been through this - did you need any special documentation from the company about the bankruptcy filing itself, or was the standard layoff notice sufficient for NYS DOL? I want to make sure I have everything ready when I file my claim.

I work for a benefits consulting firm and deal with these situations regularly. Bankruptcy absolutely does NOT disqualify you from unemployment benefits in New York. The UI system is funded by employer taxes paid over time into the state trust fund, so your bankrupt employer's current financial situation is irrelevant. File your claim immediately - waiting could cost you benefits for those weeks. Document everything: your layoff notice, final paystub, and any communication about the bankruptcy. NYS DOL sees involuntary layoffs due to business closure/downsizing as the most straightforward UI cases. You should have no problems getting approved.

ugh the whole system is so confusing when you're already stressed about losing your job!! I went through this last year and it took forever to figure out what I was entitled to. Just take it one step at a time and don't let them overwhelm you with paperwork.

I went through something similar when I lost my job in manufacturing. The key thing is that unemployment benefits and mortgage protection insurance are completely separate - you can and should pursue both. For NYS Department of Labor, file online as soon as possible since there's typically a one-week waiting period before benefits start. Don't let the mortgage insurance paperwork delay your UI claim. Most mortgage protection policies do cover job loss, but they often have their own waiting periods (mine was 60 days) and may only cover a portion of your payment. Call your lender's insurance department directly - they can walk you through your specific coverage. Keep all your layoff documentation handy for both claims. You've got this!