Just to add - when you do get through to reschedule, ask them to note in your file that you had a medical emergency. Also request that they send you written confirmation of the new interview date and time. Sometimes there are communication issues and you want everything documented.

I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago! Missing the interview is stressful but definitely not the end of the world. Here's what worked for me: I called the main unemployment number first thing the next morning and explained I had a medical emergency. They transferred me to the adjudication unit who was actually pretty understanding. I had to fax over my doctor's appointment confirmation and a brief letter explaining what happened. They rescheduled me for the following week and everything worked out fine. The key is to be proactive and call them before they send you any denial notices. Also, when you do get your rescheduled interview, answer the phone 5-10 minutes early and keep it nearby - they sometimes call a few minutes before the scheduled time. You've got this!

Just wanted to add that you should definitely keep detailed records of all your income from both jobs when you file. I'd recommend creating a simple spreadsheet or using a notebook to track your retail hours and freelance payments week by week. This will make filling out your weekly certifications much easier and help you avoid any issues if NYS Department of Labor ever needs to verify your reported income. Also, don't let the complexity discourage you - if your hours got cut that significantly, you're likely eligible for at least partial benefits and every bit helps!

I went through this exact situation last year! You're definitely eligible for partial unemployment benefits. The key thing to remember is that NYS Department of Labor looks at your "total weekly earnings" versus your "weekly benefit rate" to determine your partial benefit amount. Since your retail hours dropped from 25 to 8 hours per week, that's a significant reduction that should qualify you. When you file, make sure to report your base period wages from both jobs during the initial application, then report ALL weekly earnings (retail + freelance) on your weekly certifications. The system will automatically calculate what you're owed. Don't stress about the irregular freelance income - just report exactly what you earn each week, even if it's $0 some weeks and $200 others. Better to file and get some help than struggle financially!

UPDATE: You guys were right! I checked again this morning (day 4) and my payment history is back! Everything's there just like before. Seems like it was just a temporary system glitch. Thanks everyone for the help and suggestions!

So glad to hear it worked out! This is actually really helpful info for others who might face the same issue. The fact that it took exactly 4 days seems to confirm what others said about it being a temporary glitch during the system maintenance period after benefit year ends. I'm bookmarking this thread because I'm sure I'll need to reference it when my claim ends in a few months. The NY unemployment system can be so unpredictable - it's nice to know what's "normal" versus what's actually broken!

I just went through this exact situation a few months ago - hours cut from full-time to barely part-time, then got hit with a "voluntary quit" determination. The appeal process was stressful but totally worth it. A few things that really helped my case: 1) I took photos of my work schedule/timesheet showing the dramatic hour reduction over time, 2) I saved any text messages or emails where my supervisor mentioned the cuts were permanent or business-related, and 3) I documented how the reduced income made it impossible to pay basic expenses like rent. The hearing was actually pretty straightforward - the judge asked direct questions about what happened and why I left. My employer didn't even show up to contest it, which happens more often than you'd think. The whole process from appeal to decision took about 6-8 weeks for me. Don't let them intimidate you - if your hours were genuinely cut to the point where you couldn't survive on them, you have every right to those benefits. The system is designed to help people in situations exactly like yours.

I went through a similar appeal last year after being wrongly classified as a voluntary quit when my employer cut my hours from 32 to about 6 per week. The whole process was intimidating at first but definitely worth fighting. A couple of additional tips that helped me: Make sure you file your appeal online through my.ny.gov rather than mailing it - the online system gives you a confirmation receipt and tracks your submission. Also, when you write your appeal statement, be very specific about the timeline - include exact dates when your hours were cut, how much they were reduced, and when you ultimately had to leave. I created a simple spreadsheet showing my weekly hours and pay for about 3 months before and after the cuts, which made the impact crystal clear to the judge. One thing I wish someone had told me is that you can continue certifying for benefits during the appeal process even though you're not getting paid yet - this keeps your claim active. If you win the appeal, they'll pay you retroactively for those weeks. The hearing itself was less scary than I expected - just be honest, stick to the facts, and have your documents organized. You've got this!

Just transfer the money out of that account as soon as it hits? Why risk payment delays when you can just move the money yourself after it deposits?

I went through this exact situation last month! Changed my direct deposit on a Tuesday and my payment was supposed to hit that Friday. The payment still went to my old account as expected, but here's the key thing - I called the old bank immediately when it posted and explained I was closing the account due to fees. They actually waived the monthly maintenance fee for that month since I was transferring everything out right away. Might be worth a shot to call your bank and explain the situation - some of them will work with you, especially if you mention you're dealing with unemployment. Then just make the DD change after this payment clears to be safe.