The base period is actually really important to understand - it's the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file your claim. So if you file in 2025, they'd look at your earnings from early 2024 through late 2024, not just recent weeks. This means your full-time job earnings will definitely be considered if they fall within that timeframe. I'd recommend calling them directly or using their online calculator with your actual quarterly earnings to get the most accurate estimate.

This thread has been super helpful! I'm in a similar situation - currently making around $320/week but had a much better paying job earlier last year. One thing I learned when I applied was to make sure you have your Social Security earnings statement handy too, since sometimes employers don't report wages correctly to the state. You can check your earnings history on the NYS Department of Labor website once you create an account, and it should show all your covered wages by quarter. If something looks wrong, you can dispute it, but it takes time to resolve. Also, don't forget that if you're eligible, you might also qualify for the federal programs that sometimes extend benefits during economic downturns.

I'm new to this community but I've been lurking and reading everyone's advice here - it's been incredibly helpful! I'm currently dealing with a similar situation where my employer claimed I was a "no-show" when I was actually terminated, so I really feel for what you're going through Kevin. What strikes me most about your case is how blatantly contradictory your employer's statements are. "Restructuring" is literally the textbook definition of an employer-initiated termination, yet they're trying to claim you quit voluntarily? That's not just inconsistent, it's almost insulting to everyone's intelligence. From reading all the great advice here, it sounds like you're building a really solid case. The timeline document idea is brilliant, and having those coworkers who were also let go around the same time could be huge. If this was truly "restructuring" affecting multiple employees, that completely demolishes any voluntary quit narrative. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet - if your company had any kind of employee newsletter, internal communications, or even posts on their website/social media around that time mentioning restructuring, budget cuts, or organizational changes, those could be valuable supporting evidence too. Sometimes companies announce these things publicly without realizing how it might contradict their unemployment claims later. You've got this! The fact that you're preparing so thoroughly and have such clear contradictory statements from your employer puts you in a really strong position. Can't wait to hear your success story after the hearing!

I've been following this thread closely and wanted to add something that might be really helpful for your case. Since your employer specifically used the term "restructuring" when they terminated you, you should also look into whether they filed any WARN Act notices or made any filings with the state regarding mass layoffs or plant closures around that time. Companies are required to report certain types of layoffs to state agencies, and if they filed anything indicating restructuring or downsizing while simultaneously telling unemployment you quit voluntarily, that's documented proof of their dishonesty that goes beyond just your word against theirs. You can usually request these records from the NY Department of Labor's rapid response team or check if any WARN notices were posted publicly. Even if your company is too small for WARN requirements, they might have filed voluntary notices or communicated with local workforce development offices about the layoffs. This kind of official documentation from the employer themselves saying "we laid people off due to restructuring" would be absolutely damning evidence against their voluntary quit claim. Worth checking into before your hearing!

I had the exact same problem a few months ago! What worked for me was going through the my.ny.gov portal and using the "Account Recovery" option instead of just the PIN reset. It walks you through verifying your identity with multiple pieces of information (SSN, DOB, address, etc.) and then lets you create a completely new PIN. It took about 10-15 minutes but was way better than trying to get through on the phone. Just make sure you have all your personal info handy when you start the process.

I went through this exact same situation a couple weeks ago! One thing that helped me was making sure I was using the right browser - some people have issues with the my.ny.gov site on certain browsers. I had to switch from Chrome to Firefox to get the reset process to work properly. Also, if you're still getting stuck on security questions, try thinking about what answers you might have used back in October when you first set up the account - sometimes we use slightly different versions of the same answer (like "Main St" vs "Main Street"). Clear your browser cache before trying again too, that seemed to help with some of the technical glitches I was having.

Just wanted to jump in and say THANK YOU to everyone who contributed to this thread! I literally just successfully filed my claim using the combination of solutions you all figured out. Like many others, I'm a returning filer (last claim was 2023) and was completely lost on the new system. For anyone still struggling, here's what worked for me: 1. Used Vincent's method - cleared cache/cookies, went through My NY.gov dashboard first 2. Switched to Edge browser (Chrome wasn't working for me) 3. Disabled ALL browser extensions, not just ad blocker 4. Filed during off-peak hours (around 7 AM) The whole process took about 45 minutes once I could actually access it, but finding the right combination of workarounds took me 3 days! This community is amazing - you've basically created the user manual that NY should have provided. Seriously considering printing this whole thread as backup in case I need to help friends or family navigate this mess in the future!

This entire thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm in the exact same situation - trying to file a new claim after having one back in 2023, and the system looks completely different now. I've been banging my head against the wall for the past two days trying to find the "file new claim" option. Reading through everyone's experiences, it's clear this isn't user error - it's a legitimate system issue affecting returning claimants after the January 2025 upgrade. I'm going to try Vincent's method first (the My NY.gov dashboard approach with cache clearing), then work through the browser/extension suggestions if needed. It's honestly shocking that we need a whole community troubleshooting session just to access a basic government service, but I'm so grateful everyone took the time to document their solutions. This thread should seriously be sent to NYSDOL as evidence of how broken their "improved" system is! Will definitely report back with my results to add to the collective knowledge here.

I've been on unemployment for about 6 months now and wanted to share what I've learned about the work search requirements. The 3 activities per week is correct, but make sure you're being strategic about it. I keep a detailed spreadsheet with company names, positions applied for, dates, and method of contact. One thing that really helped me was mixing different types of activities - I do 2 job applications and 1 networking activity each week (like reaching out to former colleagues or attending virtual industry meetups). Also, if you're having trouble finding enough suitable positions to apply for, consider expanding your search slightly outside your immediate area or looking into remote opportunities. The key is showing genuine effort to find work while being realistic about your qualifications and the current job market.

Great question about the work search requirements! I went through this same confusion when I first started collecting benefits. The 3 activities per week is correct, and applying through Indeed definitely counts as long as you're keeping detailed records. I learned the hard way that you really need to document everything - I use a simple notebook with columns for date, company name, position, and how I applied (online, in-person, etc.). One tip that helped me meet the requirement more easily: don't just focus on online applications. Attending virtual job fairs, reaching out to your network, or even visiting company websites to submit applications directly all count toward your 3 activities. The NYS DOL website also has some good resources about what qualifies. Just make sure whatever you're doing shows you're genuinely trying to find work in your field or related areas. Good luck with your search!