The whole system is rigged against workers anyway. Companies know exactly how to fire people 'for cause' to avoid paying higher unemployment taxes. Meanwhile we're stuck trying to figure out these impossible rules just to get benefits we already paid into

I went through something similar a few months ago. The key thing I learned is that NYS Department of Labor looks at whether you had a "compelling reason" to quit. Toxic behavior from supervisors can qualify, but you really need solid documentation. I kept a detailed log with dates, times, and what happened each incident. Also saved any written communications that showed the problematic behavior. When I applied, I wrote a clear timeline in my application explaining how I tried to address the issues internally first. It took a while to get approved but they eventually ruled in my favor. The documentation made all the difference - don't just rely on your word against theirs.

Just want to add my experience here - I was in a very similar situation in 2023. Lost my job in August but didn't file until November because I was confident I'd land something quickly (spoiler: I didn't). When I finally filed, I was completely honest about my unemployment start date and explained that I had been actively job searching but didn't realize I should file immediately. The agent I spoke with was sympathetic but explained that NY generally doesn't backdate for "personal choice" reasons, even when that choice was based on optimism about finding work. I didn't get any backpay, but here's what I learned: file your initial claim online at labor.ny.gov, and when you get to the section asking why you're filing now instead of when you first became unemployed, be completely honest but frame it around any external factors if possible. Did you have interviews lined up? Were you told by someone you might not qualify? Any documentation helps. The silver lining is that once you're in the system, NY unemployment benefits are pretty decent compared to other states. You'll likely get benefits going forward, which is better than nothing. Don't let the potential backpay denial discourage you from filing - every week you wait is another week of benefits you're definitely losing.

I went through this exact situation last year and want to share what actually worked for me. I lost my job in September 2024 but didn't file until December because I was sure I'd find something quickly (classic mistake!). When I filed, I was completely honest about my situation but emphasized that I had been actively job searching and had several promising interviews that ultimately didn't pan out. I mentioned that I wasn't fully aware of the "file immediately" rule and thought unemployment was more of a last resort. To my surprise, they actually approved a partial backdate - I got about 6 weeks of the 12 I had waited. The agent told me it helped that I could show I was actively looking for work during that time (I had a spreadsheet of applications I'd submitted) and that I filed as soon as I realized I qualified. My advice: definitely file TODAY, be honest about your timeline, and if you have any documentation of job search activities from October onward, mention that. Even if you don't get full backpay, you might get something. And more importantly, you'll start getting benefits immediately going forward. The online application took me about 45 minutes and was pretty straightforward. Have your employment info ready and be patient - the system can be slow during peak times.

I just wanted to add my perspective as someone who went through this process about 4 months ago. I was terminated for no call no show after missing 2 days during a severe anxiety episode that left me completely unable to function - I couldn't even get out of bed, let alone make phone calls to work. Reading through all these stories has brought back memories of how terrified I was to file my claim. I was absolutely convinced it would be an automatic denial and almost didn't bother applying. But after seeing similar advice in forums like this, I decided to file anyway and I'm so glad I did. My claim went into adjudication for about 3 weeks, and when the adjudication officer called for the interview, she was incredibly understanding. She asked detailed questions about my work history (spotless record for 18 months), the circumstances that led to the absences, and whether I had sought any help for my mental health issues. I was completely honest about everything - the anxiety, how it affected my ability to function, and why I physically couldn't make myself call work during those episodes. The officer explained that they distinguish between willful misconduct (deliberately violating company policy) and circumstances beyond someone's control that prevent normal functioning. In my case, they determined it was the latter and approved my benefits. For anyone reading this who's still unsure about filing - please don't let fear stop you. The unemployment system exists for situations exactly like these. You paid into it through your work, and you deserve a fair evaluation of your circumstances. File honestly, explain your situation thoroughly, and let them make the decision. You literally have nothing to lose by trying.

Reading through all these experiences has been incredibly eye-opening and gives me so much hope. I was in almost the exact same situation as many of you - terminated for no call no show after missing work due to personal issues that made it impossible for me to function normally. I've been sitting on this for weeks, terrified that filing would be pointless and that I'd be automatically denied. What really stands out to me from everyone's stories is how NYS Department of Labor actually does evaluate these cases individually rather than having a blanket denial policy. The distinction between willful misconduct and circumstances beyond your control seems to be key - it's not just about whether you called in or not, but WHY you couldn't call in. I'm particularly encouraged by how many people mentioned being honest about mental health issues and still getting approved. Like several others here, I was dealing with overwhelming anxiety and depression that made basic functioning impossible, including picking up the phone to call work. Reading these success stories has helped me realize that I need to frame this properly when I file - explaining the underlying circumstances that prevented normal communication rather than just focusing on the shame of not calling. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences, especially the detailed accounts of the adjudication process. It sounds like the officers really do try to understand the full context and circumstances. I'm going to stop overthinking this and file my claim this week. You're all right - I have nothing to lose and potentially everything to gain.

I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who shared their experiences here! I was able to get through to an agent this morning at 7:30 AM (it only took about 15 minutes on hold) and they resolved everything immediately. You were all absolutely right - it was the DoorDash work from 2023 that flagged my account. The agent explained that their system automatically flags any account that has previous 1099 income, even if it's completely unrelated to the current claim. She cleared the flag while I was on the phone and assured me that my benefits would resume normally. I should get my delayed payment by Wednesday, including backpay for this week. For anyone else dealing with this, definitely call at 7:30 AM sharp - the difference in wait time is incredible. And have your old tax documents ready just in case they need verification of past gig work. This community has been such a lifesaver during a really stressful time. Thank you all for the encouragement and practical advice!

I'm so glad I found this thread! I'm having the exact same issue with my weekly certification - the system keeps asking about self-employment even though I worked as a regular W-2 employee at a dental office that had to close due to financial problems. I did some freelance photography work about a year and a half ago, which based on everyone's responses here is probably what's triggering the flag. It's such a relief to see that this is a common problem and that people are getting it resolved quickly once they reach an agent. I'm definitely going to try calling at 7:30 AM tomorrow using the number provided. Maya, thank you for posting this question - you've created such a helpful resource for all of us dealing with these confusing system glitches! Dylan, congratulations on getting yours resolved so fast. It gives me hope that mine will be sorted out just as quickly. I'll make sure to have my 2023 tax documents ready just in case they need verification of the photography work.

I went through this exact situation last year and it's really frustrating. Your unused days do disappear when you hit your BYE date - there's no way around it. The key thing is to file your new claim immediately when your BYE date hits, even if you're not sure you'll qualify. For your part-time work, you'll need to calculate if you earned at least 10x your weekly benefit amount during your entire benefit year (not just those 6 weeks). So with a $504 weekly benefit, you'd need $5,040 total. Also make sure that work was in "covered employment" - regular W-2 employment usually counts, but 1099/contractor work typically doesn't. Even if you don't think you qualify, still file the new claim and keep certifying weekly during the processing period. The worst they can say is no, but at least you'll have tried everything. And if by chance you do qualify, you'll get backpaid for those weeks you certified. The system definitely isn't perfect, but those are your best options. Good luck with your job search!

I'm dealing with this same situation right now and it's really stressful! My BYE date is coming up in about 3 weeks and I have around 45 days left. From everything I've read here and researched, it sounds like those days will just disappear no matter what. One thing I wanted to add - I called the NY DOL line using that Claimyr service someone mentioned and actually got through to speak with an agent. They confirmed that unused benefit days don't carry over past your BYE date, but they also told me about something called "transitional jobs" programs that some counties offer for people who are having trouble finding work. Might be worth looking into if you're in a participating county. Also, make sure when you do file your new claim that you report ALL wages earned during your benefit year - even small amounts from gig work or temporary jobs. Sometimes people are surprised to find they actually do qualify when they thought they wouldn't. The agent told me the system looks at your total earnings across the entire benefit year, not just recent work. Hang in there - the job market is tough right now but things will turn around!