File ASAP because there's always a waiting period anyway. And definitely be upfront about having another job starting - they need to know your work search status.

Yes, definitely file for unemployment! This exact scenario happened to my sister in 2023. When you give notice but they walk you out immediately, NYS DOL considers it a constructive dismissal since you were ready and willing to work your notice period. The employer made the choice to terminate you early. Document everything - your resignation letter with the intended end date, any communication about them letting you go immediately. And absolutely mention your upcoming job start date when you file - being honest about your situation actually helps establish that you genuinely intended to work those two weeks. The gap coverage is exactly what unemployment is designed for in cases like this.

I feel your pain! Been in the same situation for weeks. What worked for me was using an auto-dialer app that keeps calling and hangs up when it gets the busy signal, then immediately redials. Saved my sanity from having to manually redial hundreds of times. Also try calling the Spanish line (718-724-3637) - sometimes less busy and they can transfer you to English speaking agents. Don't give up, you'll eventually get through!

Ugh I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Been calling for over a week and getting that stupid busy signal every single time. It's so frustrating when you desperately need to talk to someone about your claim and they make it literally impossible to get through. The system is completely broken. I'm definitely going to try that Spanish line trick that Henry mentioned - never would have thought of that! Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences, at least I know I'm not the only one dealing with this nightmare 😤

DETAILED SOLUTION: Ok so I work in IT and deal with this stuff all the time. Here's what you need to know: 1. The phone system is overwhelmed because everyone's trying to call at once 2. Email support won't help with security resets - they require voice verification 3. Best options: - Use claimyr.com to get through (costs money but works) - Call right at 8AM sharp - If you must go in person, the Albany office is your only real shot I've helped dozens of people with this. The fastest solution is definitely using claimyr.com to get through on the phone. They'll verify your identity and reset it while you're on the call. Save yourself the headache of trying to do this manually. Hope this helps!

Been dealing with this exact issue for months! Finally got mine resolved last week. Here's what worked for me: I tried the 8AM calling strategy for about a week straight with no luck, then broke down and used claimyr. Honestly wish I had done it sooner - saved me so much stress. The rep was super helpful and got everything sorted in one call. Also pro tip: make sure you have all your documents ready (SS card, ID, etc.) before you get connected so you don't waste time scrambling for stuff. Good luck everyone! 🙏

wait so you can still file weekly claims even when you're denied? i thought once they deny you that's it until the appeal is decided

I'm going through a similar appeal process right now - got denied 3 weeks ago for "voluntary quit" even though I was actually terminated. From what I've been reading here and on other forums, the 4-8 week timeline seems pretty accurate for getting a hearing scheduled. One thing that's been really helpful for me is keeping detailed records of every interaction with NYS DOL, including dates I filed weekly claims and any correspondence. Also make sure to check your online account regularly because sometimes they update hearing dates there before sending mail notifications. The waiting is definitely stressful but it sounds like you have good documentation which should work in your favor.

This thread has been super helpful! I was in the same boat - saw the Governor's announcement about unemployment tax relief and expected to see a bigger difference in my payments. Now I understand it's just the state portion that's being waived for 2025, and only when we file our tax returns next year. For anyone else who's confused like I was: federal taxes are still being withheld if you selected that option when you first applied. You can change this in your account settings, but remember you'll still owe those federal taxes come tax time - it's just a matter of paying now vs. paying later.

Just want to thank everyone in this thread for the clear explanations! I was having the exact same confusion as the OP. I kept checking my payment statements thinking there was an error. Now I understand that the NY tax relief only applies to STATE taxes and only when we file our 2025 tax returns - not the weekly payments. The federal withholding (usually 10%) continues as normal unless we change our settings. I think I'll keep my federal withholding active too since I don't want to deal with a big tax bill next April. Really appreciate this community helping each other figure out these confusing government policies!