Dylan, I see you're getting some great advice here! As someone who just went through this exact transition last month, I wanted to add that once you complete the Extended Benefits Eligibility Questionnaire, keep checking your account daily. The processing time can vary - mine took about 5 business days to get approved and then another week before I saw the first EB payment. One thing that caught me off guard: Extended Benefits have different rules than regular UI. The weekly benefit amount might be slightly different, and like Nina mentioned, the work search requirements are more strict. They also have different duration limits depending on the state's unemployment rate. Don't panic about the 4-day countdown - that questionnaire appearing is actually the best possible sign that everything is moving forward correctly. Just make sure you complete it thoroughly and continue certifying every week without interruption. You're going to be fine!

Hey Dylan! I went through this exact same panic last year when my benefits were about to end. The good news is that seeing the Extended Benefits Eligibility Questionnaire means everything is working as it should! When I filled mine out, I was super worried I didn't have enough job search activities documented, but I included everything I could think of - online applications, networking calls, even time spent researching companies and tailoring my resume. The key is being thorough and honest. One thing I wish someone had told me: after you submit the questionnaire, it can take up to 10 business days to get a decision, and there might be a brief gap in payments during the transition. This is totally normal but scary when you're watching your bank account. Just keep certifying every single week even if you don't see payments right away. Also, once you're on EB, they're much more likely to audit your job search activities, so start keeping detailed records now if you haven't already. Screenshots, confirmation emails, dates and times - everything helps if they ask for proof later. You're going to get through this! The system works, it's just not very user-friendly about explaining the process.

The NYS Department of Labor system is such a nightmare to navigate. I swear they make it confusing on purpose. At least staying in state should be straightforward - it's when you cross state lines that everything becomes a bureaucratic mess.

Just wanted to add that when you update your address, also make sure to check if there are any local American Job Centers or career services in Syracuse that you should register with. Sometimes they have additional resources or job fairs that could help with your search requirements. The transition should be smooth since you're staying in NY, but taking advantage of local resources in your new city could actually help you find work faster and get off unemployment sooner.

My sister got unemployment when her company relocated to another state and she couldn't move with them. That counted as a layoff even though technically they offered her the job in the new location. So relocation can be another reason if it's unreasonable for you to follow the job.

For seasonal workers and temp employees, you can typically qualify for unemployment benefits between assignments or seasons as long as you meet the wage and work history requirements. The key is that you need to be available and actively seeking work. For seasonal workers, NYS DOL recognizes that your work is inherently temporary, so you're not penalized for the cyclical nature of your employment. Temp workers can collect benefits between assignments if there's no reasonable expectation of returning to work with the temp agency soon. Just make sure to register with the temp agency as available for new assignments to show you're actively seeking work.

I'm in almost the exact same boat - just got let go last Friday and have a severance payment coming next month. Reading through all these responses is super helpful! I was definitely overthinking whether I should wait to file or not. Quick question for those who've been through this - when you upload your severance documentation, do they want just the termination letter or the full severance agreement too? My HR gave me like 15 pages of legal documents and I'm not sure what exactly unemployment needs to see. Also @NebulaNomad - solidarity on the phone system nightmare! I've been trying to get through for 3 days now and it's maddening. Might have to try that 8am strategy people keep mentioning. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - makes this whole process feel way less overwhelming knowing others have navigated it successfully! 🙏

I went through this exact situation last year! File your claim immediately - don't wait until your severance period ends. The NY system takes forever to process claims, so you want to get in the queue ASAP. Since you're getting a lump sum payment rather than ongoing salary payments, it should only count as income for the week you actually receive it (November 20th). However, you'll need to be completely transparent about it when filing - they'll ask for documentation so have your severance letter ready. What will likely happen is: - You file now and get initially denied due to the severance - You keep certifying weekly anyway - Once they determine your severance period structure, benefits start flowing automatically For the phone situation - I feel your pain! The trick that worked for me was calling at exactly 8:00 AM on weekdays, preferably Wednesday or Thursday. Still took multiple attempts but way better odds than calling later in the day. Also keep in mind you'll need to do 3 job search activities per week once you start certifying, so start keeping track of applications, networking, etc. now. Don't let the broken phone system discourage you from filing online - get that claim started today! The sooner you're in the system, the sooner you can start receiving benefits once your severance period is sorted out. Good luck! 🍀

This is such a valuable thread! I've been dealing with a similar name issue for weeks - my hyphenated last name from two different cultural backgrounds is 18 characters total, and I keep getting the same SSN mismatch errors. Reading through everyone's advice, I'm going to try the Claimyr service first thing tomorrow morning and specifically ask for Code 117-N and a "name field exception" when I get through. It's so frustrating that these technical limitations can completely block people from accessing benefits they're entitled to, but I'm really grateful for this community sharing the actual insider knowledge to navigate around these problems. @Natalia Stone - congratulations on getting this resolved! Your persistence really paid off, and sharing those specific terms and codes is going to help so many people in similar situations.

This entire thread is incredibly helpful! I'm dealing with a similar situation but with a twist - my name is fine, but my partner's name has accent marks that the system strips out, causing SSN mismatches. We've been trying to file his claim for over a month with no success. Reading through all the advice here, I'm wondering if the same Code 117-N and "name field exception" approach would work for accent mark issues? Has anyone dealt with special characters in names? I'm definitely going to try the Claimyr service and that identity verification line (888) 783-1370 that @Lourdes Fox mentioned. It's absolutely insane that in 2025 these systems still can't handle basic name variations that reflect our diverse population. Thank you all for sharing such specific and actionable advice - this community is a goldmine of real solutions!