I'm in a similar situation and it's been really tough trying to get answers from NYS Department of Labor directly. Their phone lines are always busy and when I finally got through, they just told me the same thing about needing W-2 wages. If you're having trouble reaching them, I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get through to an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that explains how it works. At least I was able to get a definitive answer about my situation.

This whole system is broken honestly. Gig work is real work but the government treats us like we don't exist when we need help. Meanwhile regular employees get all these protections.

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet - when you're doing DoorDash, make sure you're tracking your mileage and expenses really carefully. Not just for taxes, but also because your "net earnings" for unemployment purposes should be what you actually make after gas, vehicle wear, etc. I'd also recommend applying for unemployment ASAP if you haven't already. The process can take a while to get started, and you want to establish your claim based on your warehouse job before too much time passes. You can always adjust your weekly certifications to include the DoorDash income once you start receiving benefits. Good luck with everything - being laid off is stressful enough without having to navigate all these rules!

There are definitely workforce development centers in Queens! The Queens Public Library has several locations that offer free employment services, including help with unemployment claims. The Jamaica and Flushing branches have dedicated workforce development staff. There's also the Queens Community House and SBS (Small Business Services) has American Job Centers throughout the borough. You can find locations and contact info on the NYC.gov website under "Jobs and Workforce Development." Most of these places are used to helping people navigate unemployment while doing gig work since it's become so common. Much better than trying to get through on that impossible phone line! Also, since you're in Queens, you might have better luck with DoorDash orders in areas like Astoria, Long Island City, or near the colleges. The delivery demand can vary a lot by neighborhood.

If you're having trouble getting through to NYS Department of Labor to check on your claim status, I used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually got me connected to an agent in like 10 minutes. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Way better than sitting on hold for hours just to get disconnected.

Just wanted to add that while there's no waiting week, make sure you file your initial claim as soon as possible after becoming unemployed. Even though you'll get paid retroactively for eligible weeks, you can only backdate your claim by one week from when you actually file. So if you wait too long to apply, you might lose out on benefits for those earlier weeks. Also, keep all your documentation handy - pay stubs, separation notice, etc. - in case they need to verify anything during processing.

Update: Just finished filing my new claim! The process was straightforward once I had all my information ready. One tip - they ask for exact dates of employment so make sure you have that info handy. My claim is now showing as pending and I should hear back within a few days about approval. Thanks everyone for the help!

Great to hear you got your claim filed successfully! Just wanted to add for anyone else reading this - if you're filing a new claim after your previous one expired, make sure to keep documentation of your job search activities from day one. Even while your claim is pending, NYS Department of Labor expects you to be actively looking for work. I learned this the hard way when they asked for my job search records retroactively during my eligibility review. Also, if you worked in multiple states during your base period, you might need to file an interstate claim which has different requirements.

The NYS Department of Labor will definitely scrutinize quit claims more than layoffs or terminations. You'll likely face an adjudication period where they investigate your reasons for quitting. During this time, you won't receive benefits. If you do have good cause documented, make sure you file your weekly claims even during adjudication - if you're eventually approved, you'll get backpay for those weeks.

Have you considered consulting with an employment attorney before making your decision? Many offer free consultations and can help you understand if your situation might qualify as constructive dismissal or if there are legal protections you should know about. Sometimes having a lawyer send a letter to your employer about the harassment can either improve the situation or create documentation that strengthens your unemployment claim if you do end up quitting. Also, keep in mind that NYS has specific laws about hostile work environments - if you can establish that pattern, it could really help your case with the Department of Labor.