Same boat here - had to close my photography business last year and couldn't get any unemployment. Ended up having to take a retail job just to qualify for benefits if I ever get laid off again. It's backwards but that's how the system works.

Have you considered looking into New York State's other assistance programs while you're figuring out the unemployment situation? The Department of Social Services has programs like SNAP (food assistance) and emergency cash assistance that might help bridge the gap. Also, if you're planning to shut down the LLC, you might want to consult with an accountant about any tax implications - sometimes there are deductions or loss carryforwards that can help reduce your tax burden. It's not unemployment benefits, but every bit helps when cash flow is tight.

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!

I had my virtual review appointment about a month ago and was in a very similar situation with spotty cell service! Here's what ended up working perfectly for me: I called my local library and reserved a small study room for 3 hours (to account for potential delays). The wifi was excellent and the room was private so I could speak freely. I brought my phone charger, a backup portable battery, and even downloaded a wifi calling app just in case. For preparation, I created a simple document with: - Every job application from the past 6 weeks (company, position, date, website used) - My current JobZone login info and made sure everything was updated - A brief summary of any networking events or career fairs I'd attended The actual call was about 65 minutes and they called 35 minutes late. The rep was incredibly professional and helpful - she asked detailed questions about my work search but also gave me suggestions for new job boards and even helped me think through my career goals. It felt more like career coaching than an investigation. One thing that really impressed the rep was that I had everything organized and could quickly reference specific applications when she asked. She mentioned that a lot of people come unprepared and it makes the process much harder for everyone. Don't stress too much - as long as you're genuinely job searching (which you clearly are), they're really there to support you. The library study room approach will solve your connection worries completely!

I just had my virtual review appointment last week and completely understand your anxiety about the connection issues! I was in the exact same boat with unreliable service at home. What ended up saving me was going to my local library and booking a study room for 2.5 hours (accounting for potential delays). The connection was rock solid and I had privacy to speak freely. I also brought a portable charger and had the wifi calling feature enabled on my phone as backup. The appointment itself was much less intimidating than I expected. They called about 30 minutes late and the whole conversation lasted just over an hour. The rep was genuinely friendly and focused on making sure I had the resources I needed for my job search rather than trying to catch me doing something wrong. Here's what really helped me prepare: - Created a simple spreadsheet with all job applications from the past month (company, position, date, website used) - Updated my JobZone profile completely the night before - Had my work search records organized and easily accessible They asked for specific details about my recent applications and seemed impressed that I was organized and prepared. The rep even gave me some new job search resources I hadn't heard of before. Don't stress too much about it - as long as you're genuinely looking for work and can show your efforts, you'll do great. The library study room approach will completely solve your connection worries!