even if you can't get unemployment you should definitely apply for other assistance programs like food stamps or medicaid while you look for new work

I went through something similar when my long-term home care client passed away. Even though I was paid as a 1099, I filed for unemployment anyway because my work situation really looked more like an employee relationship - I had set hours, used their supplies, couldn't work for others during my shifts, etc. The NYS Department of Labor initially denied my claim, but I appealed and provided documentation showing how controlled my work environment was. It took about 6 weeks, but they eventually approved it after reviewing the employment relationship more closely. Don't assume you're automatically disqualified - if your work arrangement had employee-like characteristics, it's worth filing and letting them make the determination.

I went through the same confusion when I first started collecting! Here's what likely happened: Your $504 weekly benefit minus the part-time work reduction (they take away 25% of earnings over $126, so $3.50 for the $14 you went over) gives you about $500.50. Then if you have 10% federal tax withholding, that's another $50, bringing you down to around $450. If you also have state tax withholding (usually around 5-6%), that would take off another $25-30, getting you close to that $387 you received. The exact breakdown should show up in your payment history under "deductions" - it really helps to see it all itemized out!

I had a similar experience when I started collecting unemployment in NY! One thing that caught me off guard was that the weekly benefit amount they quote you initially doesn't include any withholdings or reductions. I'd recommend downloading your payment history from the DOL website and looking at each payment line by line - it shows exactly what was deducted and why. Also, keep detailed records of any part-time work you report because the calculations can get complex when you're earning different amounts each week. The good news is once you understand the formula, it becomes much more predictable for budgeting purposes.

I filed for unemployment on September 25th 2025, I then received an email on October 6th stating that my claim was approved and my benefits will be paid. It is now October 21st and I still haven’t received anything. I have bills due in a few days bruh

Hey everyone! Just wanted to jump in and share my recent experience since I see a lot of confusion about the waiting week timing (totally understandable - the whole system is confusing at first). I filed my unemployment claim with NYS Department of Labor about 3 weeks ago and just got my second payment, so I'm through the worst of it now. The waiting week thing definitely threw me off initially, but here's what actually happened in my case: I filed on a Thursday, my waiting week ran Sunday to Saturday (so it included the Sunday BEFORE I even filed, which was weird), and then I was eligible for my first payment the following week. The most important thing I learned is to set up direct deposit immediately if you haven't already - it speeds up payments significantly compared to waiting for a debit card to arrive in the mail. Also, don't panic if your first payment seems to take forever after the waiting week ends. Mine took about 3-4 business days to actually hit my account after I certified for that week. One last tip - screenshot everything in your online account, especially your payment history and any correspondence from NYS Department of Labor. It helps if you ever need to call them about issues. Hope this helps anyone who's currently stressing about the timeline like I was!

Pro-tip: I take a screenshot of every page when I do my weekly certifications. Saved my butt when they claimed I didn't certify one week and I had proof I did. The system loses stuff all the time.

I went through this exact same confusion when I started claiming! The wording is so backwards but you're doing it right - answer NO if you didn't refuse any job offers. The question is basically asking "did you turn down work?" and since you didn't get any offers to turn down, the answer is NO. I also recommend keeping a simple log of your job search activities (company name, position, date applied) just in case they ever ask for documentation later. And yeah, definitely take screenshots of your weekly certifications like others mentioned - their system glitches way too often. You got this! The hardest part is figuring out their confusing questions the first time around.

Don't give up! Even if the initial denial sticks, you can still appeal to an Administrative Law Judge if you lose the first hearing. I've seen people win at that level even after losing the initial appeal. The key is having documentation and being able to clearly explain your version of events.

I work in HR and see this situation a lot. The key thing to understand is that "misconduct" in unemployment terms is very specific - it has to be willful or deliberate violation of company rules that the employee knew about. Simple poor performance or being a bad fit doesn't qualify as misconduct. If they truly just laid you off due to slow sales but are now claiming misconduct to NYS Department of Labor, that's dishonest on their part. Gather any documentation you have - your termination letter, employee handbook, performance reviews, etc. During the appeal hearing, you'll be able to cross-examine your former employer and they'll have to provide specific examples of the alleged misconduct. Don't let them get away with this if you were honestly just laid off.