I struggled with getting through to NYS Department of Labor to clarify this exact question when I filed last year. If you're having trouble reaching them by phone, I ended up using this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get connected to an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Made the whole process much less stressful when I could actually talk to someone who explained how the multi-employer situation works.

Just want to add that having multiple employers might actually help your benefit calculation since NYS Department of Labor looks at your total earnings. As long as you meet the minimum wage requirements during your base period, you should be fine. The main thing is making sure you were separated from your last job for a qualifying reason.

I went through this exact situation about 8 months ago - waited almost 2 months to file because I thought I'd find something quickly. Big mistake! NY DOL was pretty firm that they don't backdate for "I didn't know I should file right away" situations. However, I did manage to get ONE extra week backdated because I had saved a screenshot of a website error I got when I first tried to file (even though I gave up and didn't try again for weeks). So if you have ANY documentation of technical issues, website crashes, or even confusing information you received, gather it all before calling. The harsh reality is that most of those 3 months are probably lost, but it's still worth that phone call with whatever documentation you can pull together. Good luck!

I'm in a similar boat - just filed my claim after waiting 2 months thinking I'd land something fast. From everything I'm reading here, it sounds like NY is pretty strict about not backdating unless you have one of those specific qualifying reasons. One thing that might help though - when you call, ask specifically about the "continuous claim" option if you had ANY interaction with their system during those 3 months. Sometimes even just creating an online account or starting an application (even if you didn't complete it) can establish an earlier effective date. Also, double-check if your employer provided any severance or continued benefits during November-December. Sometimes people don't realize they're not technically "unemployed" in the system's eyes if they received certain types of compensation. Worth a shot to call with whatever documentation you can gather, but definitely manage expectations based on what everyone else is saying here.

One more important thing - if you're doing freelance or gig work, you need to report that income in the week you performed the work, not when you got paid. This trips up a lot of people with unemployment claims.

Just want to add that if you're consistently earning close to or over your benefit amount, it might be worth considering whether to pause your unemployment claim temporarily. I had a few good weeks where I was making decent money from freelance work, and it made more sense to just not certify for those weeks rather than deal with the reduced benefits and potential complications. You can always resume your claim later as long as you're still within your benefit year. Just make sure to understand the rules about when you need to reopen vs. continue your existing claim.

Hey! I went through this exact same thing a few years ago when I was working as a para. The "reasonable assurance" rule is unfortunately pretty strict - if your contract says you'll be back in September, unemployment usually won't approve benefits even if you're actively job hunting over the summer. BUT here's what helped me survive those lean months: check with your district about substitute positions during summer school (even if it's just a few days here and there), look into local recreation departments for camp counselor positions (they love hiring school staff!), and consider signing up with substitute teacher agencies that also place paras - sometimes they have summer gigs. Also, don't forget about things like VBS programs at churches, they often need classroom helpers for their summer programs. The summer struggle is real but there are options out there! Hang in there! 🌟

Just wanted to add another suggestion that helped me last summer - check with your local community colleges! They often run summer bridge programs or remedial courses and need instructional assistants. The pay is usually decent and they really value people with para experience. Also, many summer camps for kids with special needs are always looking for qualified staff - organizations like Easter Seals or Arc often have summer programs and specifically seek out people with your background. Don't forget about head start programs too - some run year-round or have summer components. It's tough being in limbo but your skills are definitely needed somewhere! Keep pushing through! 💪

I went through a NYS Department of Labor appeal hearing about 6 months ago and can share some insights on costs. Most unemployment lawyers I contacted quoted between $300-600/hour for hourly rates, but several offered contingency arrangements around 25-30% of recovered benefits. Given your $6,300 in total benefits at stake, a contingency fee could run $1,575-$1,890 if you win. However, I'd strongly recommend getting a consultation first (many lawyers offer free 15-30 minute consultations for unemployment cases) to assess the strength of your employer's challenge. Some red flags that might warrant legal help: if they're alleging specific misconduct with documentation, if there are complex employment law issues involved, or if they have witness statements against you. On the flip side, if it's a straightforward layoff/downsizing situation and they're just going through the motions, you might be able to handle it yourself with good preparation. Also worth noting - some lawyers will take unemployment cases on a reduced flat fee basis (I've seen $800-1,500) rather than hourly or contingency, which might be more predictable for your budget.

I'm facing a similar situation right now and this thread has been incredibly helpful! Just wanted to add that you should also check if your state has any free legal aid services for unemployment cases. I found out that New York has some nonprofit organizations that provide free or low-cost assistance for unemployment appeals, especially if you meet certain income requirements. The Legal Aid Society and some local bar associations sometimes have volunteer lawyers who help with these cases. It might be worth calling around before paying for a private attorney. Also, I've heard that some union members have access to legal services through their union even after termination - not sure if that applies to your situation but could be another avenue to explore. The NYS Department of Labor website also has some self-help resources and sample forms that might be useful if you decide to represent yourself.