I've been collecting unemployment from NYS DOL for about 8 months now and here's what I've noticed with holiday schedules: they typically post updates on their website about a week before major holidays explaining any payment delays. For most federal holidays, if your normal payment day falls on the holiday, they'll process it the business day before. So if Wednesday is a holiday, you'd usually get paid Tuesday instead. The key thing is that they follow the Federal Reserve's holiday schedule for ACH processing, not just whether their offices are open. I'd suggest bookmarking their payment schedule page and checking it the week before any major holiday - they're actually pretty good about posting these updates there even if their other communication isn't always reliable.

I've been on unemployment for about 6 months and what really helps me during holiday weeks is setting up direct deposit alerts through my bank app. Most banks will send you a notification as soon as any deposit is initiated, even before it fully processes. This way you know immediately when NYS DOL sends your payment, regardless of whether it's early or delayed due to the holiday. Also, I keep a small buffer in my checking account specifically for these holiday timing issues - maybe $50-100 if possible - because those 1-2 day delays can really mess up automatic bill payments. It's not always feasible but it's saved me from overdraft fees more than once during holiday weeks.

Just remember you have to actively look for work and keep a log of your job search activities. They can ask for proof at any time so don't slack on that requirement.

I went through this same situation last year when my marketing role was eliminated. One thing I wish I'd known earlier - make sure to request your separation letter from HR if you haven't already. NYS DOL sometimes asks for it to verify the reason for separation, and having it upfront can speed up the process. Also, when you file online, take screenshots of your confirmation pages - the system occasionally glitches and having proof you submitted can save headaches later. Good luck!

Congratulations on the new job! Just make sure you keep all your employment documentation in case NYS Department of Labor needs to verify anything later. It's always better to be over-prepared when dealing with unemployment claims.

Just want to add that you should also make sure to update your contact information with NYS Department of Labor if your employment status changes, especially if you get employer-provided health insurance. They sometimes need to verify benefit eligibility and having current info helps avoid any delays or complications. Also, if this new job doesn't work out for any reason, you'll want to have everything properly documented to potentially reopen your claim later.

ugh this system is so stressful!!! I'm dealing with something similar and I keep panicking that they're going to deny me. Two years at a job should count for something right?? Did they give you any severance or anything when they let you go?

I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago - fired for "performance issues" after 18 months at a marketing firm. NYS Department of Labor actually approved my claim after about 4 weeks. The key thing that helped me was keeping all my employment records and being able to show I never had any disciplinary actions or formal performance improvement plans. When they called for the phone interview, I just explained honestly that I struggled to meet certain metrics but was never given coaching or warnings. My former employer didn't even contest it. Don't give up hope - performance terminations are way more common than people think and most get approved eventually.

I'm about 3 months into my first "real" job after college and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I had absolutely zero knowledge about how unemployment benefits work and honestly just assumed it was some complicated system that required you to work at one place for years before qualifying. Learning about the quarter-based approach makes so much more sense - especially for people like me who might have had internships, part-time work, or gaps while job searching. It's really reassuring to know that NY actually designed their system around realistic work patterns rather than outdated expectations. @Maggie Martinez I really hope your quarterly review goes smoothly, but it's great that you got such solid advice here! I'm definitely going to look into that benefits calculator to understand my own situation better. This community is amazing for explaining government processes in a way that actually makes sense to regular people!

This thread has been absolutely fantastic! I'm about 5 months into my current position and like so many others here, I had completely wrong assumptions about unemployment eligibility. I honestly thought you needed to work at one company for at least a year, maybe even longer, before you could qualify for any benefits. Learning that New York uses a quarter-based system that looks at your total work history is such a game-changer - it makes the whole system seem way more reasonable and fair for how people actually work today. @Maggie Martinez I really hope your quarterly review next week goes well, but it's so reassuring that you now know you're covered if anything unexpected happens! I'm definitely going to check out that benefits calculator that @Lia Quinn mentioned - seems like such a smart way to know where you stand without having to stress about it. This community is incredible for breaking down confusing government processes into information that actually makes sense. Thanks to everyone who shared their knowledge and experiences!