I went through something similar when I was laid off from my main job but still had a small freelance gig ending around the same time. Definitely file just one claim and include both employers - the system is designed to handle multiple work histories. When you get to the work history section, you'll see fields for multiple employers where you can enter dates, wages, and separation reasons for each. The NYS DOL will use whichever quarters give you the highest benefit calculation, so having both jobs reported actually works in your favor. Just keep all your documentation handy (W-2s, pay stubs, etc.) in case they need verification.

I'm actually dealing with a similar situation right now! I was let go from my main office job in January but also had a small tutoring gig that ended around the same time. From what I've learned through the process, you definitely need to file just one claim and report both employers in the work history section. The NYS DOL website has a pretty clear step-by-step guide that walks you through adding multiple employers. One thing that helped me was gathering all my employment documents beforehand - pay stubs, W-2s, and exact employment dates for both jobs. The seasonal aspect of your weekend job shouldn't complicate things too much, just make sure to note that when you're filling out the reason for separation. Good luck with your claim!

I'm a housing counselor and deal with this question frequently. Unemployment insurance is absolutely NOT public assistance in NY - it's earned income that you contributed to while working. When filling out rental applications, list it under income but not under public assistance. Pro tip: many landlords prefer seeing a co-signer or guarantor when unemployment is your primary income source, not because it's inadequate income, but because they know it's temporary. Also keep copies of your weekly certification emails from NYS Department of Labor as additional proof of ongoing benefits. Don't let this discourage you from applying - you have legitimate income and rights as a tenant!

I had a similar experience recently and everyone here is absolutely right - unemployment is NOT public assistance in NY. I was stressed about this too when apartment hunting last month. What really helped me was getting all my documentation organized beforehand: the monetary determination letter from NYS Department of Labor, recent payment history, and a simple letter explaining that I was actively job searching with a timeline of when I expected to find employment. One landlord even told me they appreciated the transparency and organization. Don't be discouraged - you have legitimate income and the right to housing. Just be prepared to potentially provide more documentation than someone with traditional employment, but that's totally manageable!

Just remember that even if your employer doesn't respond in 10 days, you still need to keep filing your weekly claims and doing your job search activities. The 10-day employer response window doesn't affect your ongoing requirements as a claimant.

@Sarah Ali - I went through something similar last year. In my experience, most employers either respond within the first few days or don't respond at all. The 10-day window is pretty firm, and the Department of Labor moves things along fairly quickly once that deadline passes. Since you mentioned not parting on good terms, just make sure you have any documentation that supports your side of things (like emails, write-ups, etc.) in case they do contest it. The good news is that the burden of proof is usually on the employer to show cause for termination that would disqualify you from benefits.

To clarify for the original poster - based on what you've described with 2 years at your previous job and 6 weeks at your current job, you would almost certainly qualify for unemployment benefits if you were laid off. Your previous job earnings would definitely count toward your base period requirements. The key is having sufficient total earnings and having worked in multiple quarters, which you clearly have.

Just wanted to add some additional info that might be helpful - if you do end up needing to file for unemployment, make sure you have all your wage information ready from both jobs. NYS DOL will need your W-2s or pay stubs to verify your earnings during the base period. Also, since you mentioned potential layoffs, know that if you're laid off through no fault of your own, you should definitely qualify based on your work history. The 3-month gap between jobs won't hurt you as long as your total earnings meet the threshold. Keep documentation of everything just in case!

I've been having this exact same problem for weeks! What finally worked for me was using Chrome mobile with desktop mode enabled, but here's the key part everyone seems to miss - you have to enable desktop mode in Chrome settings BEFORE you even navigate to the site. If you try to switch after the page loads, it still shows the broken mobile version. Also make sure to log in during off-peak hours (I've had best luck early morning around 6 AM when their servers aren't overloaded). The mobile site is absolutely terrible but this method has gotten me through consistently. It's crazy that we need these workarounds just to access basic services in 2025! 🤦‍♂️

I've been dealing with this mobile login disaster too! What finally worked for me was using Vivaldi browser on mobile with desktop mode enabled. The trick is to also disable JavaScript temporarily on the login page - sounds crazy but their mobile scripts are completely broken. Once you're logged in, you can re-enable JS for the rest of the site. Also try using mobile data instead of WiFi - seems like their servers handle cellular connections way better. Clear your browser cache completely before each attempt and try logging in around 5-6 AM when server load is minimal. It's absolutely ridiculous that we need these elaborate workarounds just to access unemployment benefits, but this combo has been working for me consistently for about a month now. Hope NY finally fixes this ancient system soon! 🤞