This is such a great question and the answers here are super helpful! I'm also pretty new to the workforce and had similar confusion about all the different deductions and taxes. One thing that really helped me understand the bigger picture is that unemployment insurance is just one part of what's called the "social safety net" - you've got unemployment (employer-paid), disability insurance (employee-paid through SDI), Social Security and Medicare (both employer and employee pay), and workers' compensation (employer-paid). It's kind of like a patchwork of different programs that protect workers in different situations. The fact that unemployment is 100% employer-funded in NY actually makes sense when you think about it - companies benefit from having a stable workforce and a functioning labor market, so they contribute to a system that helps workers transition between jobs. Thanks everyone for breaking this down so clearly!

Thanks everyone for all the detailed explanations! As someone who just graduated and is still figuring out how all this stuff works, this thread has been incredibly helpful. I had the exact same confusion as @Dylan Fisher - looking at my paystub and trying to figure out where unemployment was coming from. It's actually kind of a relief to know that I don't have to worry about another deduction coming out of my already-smaller-than-expected paycheck! The comparison to employer-provided health insurance really clicked for me. I never thought about unemployment benefits as essentially another form of employer-provided insurance, just administered by the state. It's also eye-opening to learn about how the experience rating system works and why some employers might challenge legitimate claims. Definitely bookmarking this thread for future reference - hopefully I won't need to use unemployment benefits anytime soon, but it's good to understand how the system works just in case!

just file when you normally do, the computer doesnt take days off lol

I work for a bank and can confirm what Miguel said about payment delays - while you can file your claim normally on federal holidays through the online system, direct deposits and other electronic payments typically get delayed by one business day when banks are closed. So if you normally get your unemployment payment on Tuesday, it might come Wednesday after Presidents Day. The important thing is to file by your usual Sunday midnight deadline to avoid any issues with your claim.

Just wanted to add - if you're having trouble understanding what you're looking at on the website, try using the desktop version instead of mobile if you can. The mobile site is even more confusing and sometimes doesn't show all the sections people are mentioning here. Also, I learned the hard way that "effective date" and "claim date" are different things - your effective date is when benefits actually start, which might be different from when you filed. One last thing - if you see any "issues" or "disqualifications" listed, don't freak out immediately. Sometimes these are just pending items they need to review, not necessarily permanent problems with your claim.

Hey everyone! This thread has been incredibly helpful - I'm in a similar situation where I filed my claim 2 weeks ago and have been stressing about the confusing website. Reading through all these responses, I realized I was making some of the same mistakes people mentioned. I was only checking on mobile and couldn't find half the sections you all talked about. Just logged in on desktop and found the correspondence section - turns out they've been waiting for my W-2 from last year for over a week! No wonder my claim seemed stuck. Going to upload it right now. Also really appreciate everyone explaining what adjudication actually means - I was panicking thinking it meant something was wrong with my application. This community is amazing for sharing real experiences and practical tips that you just can't get from the official DOL website. Thank you all!

The whole NYS Department of Labor system is such a mess anyway. Half the time their offices are closed for random reasons and the other half the phones don't work. Presidents Day is just another excuse for them to not help people who desperately need their benefits.

I've been dealing with NYS DOL for months now and can confirm they follow federal holiday schedules. Presidents Day = closed offices and no phone support. Pro tip though - if you have any documents to submit, you can usually drop them in the secure drop box outside most offices even when they're closed. Just make sure everything is properly labeled with your SSN and claim number. The online portal for weekly certifications stays up like others mentioned, but don't expect any human assistance until Tuesday.

I went through a similar appeal hearing last year for a misconduct denial and won without a lawyer. Here's what helped me: 1) Request all your personnel files from HR in writing - they're legally required to provide them in NY. 2) Document everything with dates and times - write down exactly what happened leading to your termination. 3) Get witness statements from coworkers if possible. 4) Review your employee handbook for the exact policies they claim you violated. The hearing was actually less intimidating than I expected - the judge asked questions and let both sides present their case. Focus on facts, not emotions, and be prepared to counter their version of events with specific details. Good luck!

I've been through the NYS DOL appeal process twice - once with a lawyer and once without. Here's my honest take: if it's a straightforward case where you have clear documentation and the facts are on your side, you can probably handle it yourself. But for misconduct cases where it's your word against theirs, a lawyer can make a real difference in how you present evidence and cross-examine witnesses. Before deciding, try calling the NYS Bar Association's lawyer referral service - many employment attorneys offer free 30-minute consultations and some work on contingency (they only get paid if you win). Also check if your local legal aid society handles unemployment appeals. Don't let the employer intimidate you with their legal team - you have rights and the judge is supposed to be neutral. Whatever you decide, start gathering your evidence now and practice telling your story clearly and chronologically.