Same thing happened to my brother last month and he got approved for benefits pretty quickly. The employer didn't even contest it. Good luck!

I went through something similar about 6 months ago. Being terminated for performance issues doesn't automatically disqualify you from unemployment benefits in NY. The key thing is that performance issues are generally not considered "misconduct" unless you were deliberately refusing to do your job or violating clear company policies after repeated warnings. When you file your claim online, be straightforward about what happened but don't feel like you need to defend yourself extensively. NYS Department of Labor will investigate and make their determination based on the facts. Make sure to file as soon as possible since there's a waiting period, and keep doing your weekly certifications even if your employer contests the claim. You'll likely be eligible for benefits while the review is pending.

The NYS Department of Labor portal is confusing honestly. I got approved but it took me forever to figure out where to find the actual confirmation. They really need to make the interface clearer about what each status means!!!

I'm going through the same thing right now! Just filed last week and the waiting is nerve-wracking. From what I've read here and elsewhere, the key things to look for are: 1) A weekly benefit amount showing up (not $0), 2) No "pending issues" or red flags in your claim status, and 3) The monetary determination letter that should appear in your documents section. The first payment delay seems pretty normal from what everyone's saying - the state system just takes time to process everything. Keep doing those weekly certifications though, that's important even while waiting for approval!

I went through this same process about 6 months ago when I got laid off from my job in Buffalo. The online system through my.ny.gov is definitely the way to go - much faster than trying to call or visit an office. One tip I'd add is to have your W-2 from last year handy too, as they sometimes ask for wage information from previous tax years. Also, make sure you file your claim on Sunday through Thursday if possible - I noticed the website can get really slow on Fridays and weekends when everyone is trying to file their weekly certifications. The whole initial application took me about 30 minutes, and I got my first payment within 2 weeks. Good luck with your claim!

I actually just went through this process a couple weeks ago when I got unexpectedly laid off from my tech job. The online system is definitely your best bet - I was dreading having to deal with government offices but it was surprisingly user-friendly. One thing I wish I had known beforehand is that you should file your claim early in the week if possible, like Monday or Tuesday. I made the mistake of filing on a Friday afternoon and the system was crawling slow. Also, have your direct deposit info ready because getting checks by mail takes forever. The hardest part for me was tracking down exact employment dates for a job I had like 16 months ago - try to dig up old paystubs or tax documents if you can. The whole thing took me about 45 minutes but that included hunting around for paperwork. Once you get through the initial claim, the weekly certifications are pretty quick, maybe 10 minutes each week.

just wanted to say thanks for asking this question, I was wondering the same thing but felt dumb for not knowing where to look!

I actually found a workaround for this! If you go to the "Payment History" section on my.ny.gov, it shows all your weekly payments. You can add those up and subtract from your total benefit amount in the monetary determination letter. I made a simple spreadsheet to track it since the state system doesn't do it for you. Also, your benefit year is usually 52 weeks from when you filed, and the maximum is typically 26 weeks of benefits (though this can vary). Hope this helps!

File ASAP! Don't wait around thinking about it. The longer you wait the longer it takes to get your first payment. And yeah like everyone said, medical absences with documentation are not misconduct under unemployment law.

I went through almost the exact same situation about a year ago - fired from a restaurant job for "excessive absences" due to chronic migraines, even with doctor's notes. I was terrified they'd deny my claim, but NYS Department of Labor approved it without any issues. The key things that helped me: 1) I was completely honest on my application about being terminated for medical absences, 2) I uploaded copies of all my medical documentation when I filed, and 3) I kept detailed records of every doctor visit and note I had provided to my employer. Your situation sounds even stronger than mine was since you have 6 months of documentation. Don't let your employer's "misconduct" label scare you - the Department of Labor makes their own determination based on the facts and the law.