I went through this same process about 6 months ago when my retail job ended. Just to clarify the timeline for you - you can and should file your initial claim right away (even today), but your first payable week will be the week after your waiting period. So if you file this week, your waiting week would be this week, and your first potentially payable week would be next week. Just remember to do your weekly certification every single week, even during the waiting period, or you'll lose eligibility. The whole process took about 3 weeks from filing to receiving my first payment, so definitely apply for any emergency assistance programs if you need immediate help with rent or utilities.

@Zainab Omar - Yes, definitely file today! Don't wait at all. I made that mistake when I got laid off from my warehouse job last year and it cost me. The one-week waiting period everyone mentioned is unavoidable, but you want to get your claim in the system ASAP. Also, when you file online with NYS DOL, make sure you have your last employer's info handy - company name, address, your dates of employment, and your gross wages. They'll also ask why you were separated from employment, so "position eliminated due to budget cuts" should be fine. One tip: if the website crashes or glitches (which it sometimes does), don't panic - just try again later or early in the morning when traffic is lighter. You got this!

I'm a career counselor who works with pregnant women navigating job searches, and I wanted to add some practical tips for your situation. Beyond knowing that pregnancy doesn't disqualify you from unemployment benefits, here are some strategies that have helped my clients: 1) Consider temporary or contract work that might be more flexible about start dates and accommodating your timeline, 2) Look into companies that are certified as "Best Places to Work for Families" - they're typically more pregnancy-friendly, 3) Network through professional groups for working mothers in your industry, and 4) If you're in retail, many companies are hiring for seasonal positions right now which could work well with your timeline. Also, remember that you don't have to disclose your pregnancy until after a job offer is made - it's illegal for employers to ask about pregnancy status during interviews. Keep documenting all your job search activities for your weekly certifications. You're doing everything right!

As someone who works in HR, I wanted to emphasize that pregnancy is a federally protected class under the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, so the NYS Department of Labor legally cannot use it as grounds to deny benefits. When you file your claim, focus on your work history and availability for employment - that's what matters. One thing I'd suggest is checking if your former employer is offering any severance or continued health insurance coverage, as maintaining health coverage during pregnancy is crucial. Also, if you haven't already, reach out to your local WIC office and look into prenatal care programs that might help with costs while you're between jobs. Your situation is completely normal and you absolutely qualify for the unemployment benefits you've earned. Stay positive and keep applying - there are employers out there who will value your skills regardless of your pregnancy status!

Reading through this thread as someone who just got approved after 4 months of denial hell, and I'm so grateful for all the detailed advice here! That 518-457-9000 backdating line is definitely the move - wish I'd known about it sooner instead of wasting weeks trying the main number. Quick question for those who've been through this - when you called the backdating line, did they ask you to provide specific dollar amounts for each week you're claiming? I have all my screenshots saved but trying to figure out if I need to calculate the exact weekly benefit amounts beforehand or if they handle that calculation on their end. Want to be as prepared as possible when I call tomorrow morning! Also huge thanks to everyone sharing their experiences - this thread has given me more useful info in 10 minutes than months of trying to navigate the official NY DOL website. Finally feeling hopeful that I can get this sorted out! 🙏

This thread is absolutely incredible - thank you all for sharing such detailed experiences! I'm in almost the exact same situation as OP. Been certifying weekly for 3 months while my claim was stuck in appeals, just got approved last week, and now trying to figure out the backdating process. That 518-457-9000 backdating line is news to me and sounds like a total game changer! I've been banging my head against the wall trying to get through the main number for weeks. Definitely calling first thing tomorrow at 8 AM sharp. @QuantumQuasar your step-by-step breakdown was super helpful, and @StarSailor that separate backdating line tip is pure gold! @Dmitry Volkov I love the advice about getting everything organized beforehand - I've got screenshots scattered everywhere and definitely need to create a proper folder with all my documentation before calling. One quick question - has anyone had success with backdating when their original denial was due to identity verification issues? Mine got held up because they needed additional ID documents, and I'm hoping that won't complicate the backdating process. Either way, I'm feeling way more confident about tackling this after reading everyone's experiences. You all are amazing! 🙌

Just wanted to add that you should register ASAP because some people have had their claims held up for not completing the work registration requirement on time. Better safe than sorry with NYS Department of Labor - they're pretty strict about following all the rules.

I went through this process a few months ago and want to add that the work registration on jobs.labor.ny.gov also requires you to upload a resume. Make sure your resume is in a common format like PDF or Word doc - I had issues with other formats being rejected. Also, once you're registered, you can actually use job applications through their portal as part of your required 3 weekly job search activities, so it does serve a dual purpose. The key is doing it within that first week like Rachel mentioned - NYS Department of Labor is really strict about the timeline.

Also make sure ur checking ur unemployment messages every day!! sometimes they send weird questionnaires u gotta answer right away or they stop ur payments!!!

Just want to echo what everyone else is saying - definitely don't file a new claim! I work part-time for a small business that has seasonal shutdowns, and I've been through this exact situation multiple times. The key is to stay on your current claim and just accurately report your work status each week. During the renovation weeks, you'll report zero work days and zero earnings, and you should receive your full weekly benefit amount. When you return to work after renovations, just start reporting your work days again normally. The system handles these temporary work interruptions really well as long as you don't try to start a new claim. Your supervisor probably means well but like others mentioned, most employers don't really understand the technical side of unemployment claims. Stick with your current claim and you'll be fine!