I went through something similar last year when I was let go from my customer service job. The most important thing is to file your claim right away - don't wait! You can do it online at my.ny.gov/services/unemployment-insurance. When you file, just be honest about what your employer told you was the reason for termination. Being late a couple times usually won't disqualify you from benefits unless there was a clear pattern of willful misconduct. Keep any documentation you have (employee handbook, write-ups, etc.) in case you need it for the review process. The waiting period can be stressful but try to stay positive - most people who are terminated for minor issues like occasional tardiness do get approved for unemployment benefits in NY.

I'm sorry to hear about your situation - being terminated unexpectedly is really stressful! The good news is that you should definitely be eligible for unemployment benefits in New York. Being 10 minutes late twice in a month is not considered "misconduct" under NYS Department of Labor standards, especially after 3 years of employment. Misconduct has to be willful and substantial - like theft, violence, or repeatedly violating clear workplace policies after warnings. File your claim immediately at my.ny.gov - you can apply online 24/7. Don't delay because there's a waiting period and benefits are calculated from when you file, not when you were terminated. During the application, just state the reason your employer gave you (attendance issues). If they try to fight your claim, NYS DOL will investigate and you'll likely win since occasional tardiness rarely qualifies as disqualifying misconduct. Also keep in mind that even if your claim gets initially denied, you have the right to appeal and present your case. Many people win on appeal even when initially denied. Stay strong and don't let this setback discourage you - you've got rights as a worker in New York!

It's good to hear you got through! For anyone else facing identity theft issues with NY unemployment:\n\n1. Try the fraud hotline (1-888-598-2077) during non-peak hours (Tuesday-Thursday afternoons tend to be better)\n2. Use Claimyr if you continue having trouble getting through\n3. Contact your state assembly member's office as a backup\n4. Complete all the required forms (ID-520, DTF-275)\n5. Place credit freezes at all three bureaus\n6. File an FTC report at IdentityTheft.gov\n\nIdentity theft cases require persistence but can be resolved with the right approach.

I went through this nightmare myself about 6 months ago! One thing that really helped me was calling the NYSDOL fraud line early in the morning (like 7:50am) and then hitting redial constantly until I got through. Also, when you do get connected, ask the agent to give you their direct extension and the best time to call them back - this saved me so much time for follow-up questions. Another tip: keep a detailed log of every call attempt with timestamps. It helped when I finally spoke to someone to show how many times I'd tried to reach them. Hang in there - it's incredibly frustrating but you WILL get it resolved!

Just wanted to say thanks for asking this question - I'm in the exact same boat and was wondering the same thing!

I went through this exact situation last year when my company did sudden layoffs. You definitely don't need a termination letter to file - I filed the same day I was let go with just my employment details. The NYS Department of Labor website walks you through everything step by step. One tip: keep a record of exactly what your supervisor said when they let you go, even if it's just notes you write yourself. I wrote down the conversation right after it happened and it helped when they asked for details during the phone interview. The whole process was actually smoother than I expected, and I started receiving benefits within a few weeks.

Just wanted to say I feel for you - taking care of family is hard enough without worrying about money. Hope your father's situation improves and you can get back to work soon.

I went through something similar when my mom was in the hospital for months. One thing that helped was checking if your employer has any short-term disability benefits or employee assistance programs that might provide some financial support during family leave. Also, some states have paid family leave programs (though I don't think NY has one yet). You might also qualify for temporary assistance programs through social services if your income drops significantly. It's worth calling 211 to ask about local resources for caregivers - they sometimes know about programs that aren't well advertised.

Let me give you the full rundown of what worked for me. First, try getting through to regular unemployment using claimyr.com - they'll handle the hold time. If that doesn't resolve your issue, reach out to your local assembly member (find them at nyassembly.gov). As a last resort, the governor's office number is 518-474-8390, but they usually just redirect you. Document everything, including who you talked to and when. Keep all your paperwork organized. The system is overwhelmed but persistence is key. Good luck!

Ugh I feel your pain @Ellie Lopez! I've been stuck in unemployment hell for 6 weeks now. The regular phone lines are absolutely useless - I either get busy signals or sit on hold for hours just to get disconnected. I tried the governor's office number that @Liam Cortez posted but honestly it was a dead end like everyone else said. Really considering trying that claimyr thing @Nina Fitzgerald mentioned even though $20 feels steep when you're already broke from waiting for benefits 😭 Let me know if you have any luck with the assembly member route - might try that next!