I went through something similar last year. The key is how your employer coded the termination - since they said "attendance issues" rather than misconduct related to substance abuse, you have a better shot at getting approved initially. I was able to collect benefits before entering treatment, but had to stop filing while in the 30-day program since I couldn't meet the job search requirements. Once I completed treatment and was actively looking for work again, I resumed my claim without issues. The NYS Department of Labor was actually pretty understanding about the gap once I explained it was for medical treatment. Make sure to keep all your treatment documentation - it helped when I had to explain the interruption in my claim.

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - employer let me go for "performance issues" but it was really because my drinking was affecting my work. I've been sober for 3 weeks and looking into treatment options. Reading through these responses, it sounds like the timing of when you file versus when you enter treatment is crucial. Maybe consider filing your claim now while you're still available for work, then pause it during your inpatient stay? That way you at least get the initial determination done. Also want to echo what others said about documenting everything from your employer - if they're calling it attendance rather than misconduct, that definitely seems like it could help your case.

UGH the whole NYS Department of Labor system is so confusing about timing! They should just let you file 24/7 like every other government system. Why make it complicated with specific hours?? And don't even get me started on how the website crashes every time there's high volume.

I've been filing my weekly claims every Sunday at 6 AM sharp for the past 6 months and it's become part of my routine. Pro tip: have your login info ready and maybe prepare your answers to the weekly questions the night before so you can get through it quickly. The system is definitely most reliable early in the morning - I've noticed it gets slower and sometimes glitchy later in the day when more people are using it.

Carmen, I totally understand the panic! I've been there too when life gets overwhelming and you just completely blank on certification day. The good news is you're definitely not going to lose that week's benefits - you just need to certify before Saturday at midnight and your payment will come through, just delayed by a few days. What I've learned from my own missed certification (thanks to a sick toddler and zero sleep) is that the NY system actually expects this to happen sometimes. When you log in tomorrow, look for the option to certify for the previous week - it should be pretty obvious on the main page. Since you mentioned you're usually super consistent, this one-time miss won't hurt you at all. I'd recommend setting up a phone alarm for every Saturday night that says "UNEMPLOYMENT TOMORROW" as a backup. Life happens, especially with kids, and the system knows that. You've got this! 💙

Hey Carmen! I can totally relate to this - I missed my certification day about 6 months ago when my mom was in the hospital and I completely forgot everything else existed. I was panicking just like you, especially since I needed that money for bills. Here's what happened: I certified 2 days late and still got my full payment, it just came on Friday instead of my usual Wednesday. The system automatically recognized I had missed my regular day and gave me the option to certify for the previous week when I logged in. A few tips that helped me: - When you log in tomorrow, make sure you're selecting "certify for previous week" not the current week - Take a screenshot of your confirmation page as proof you certified - Your payment will probably be 2-3 days later than usual, so plan accordingly for rent Since then I've set up two phone alarms - one Saturday at 8pm saying "unemployment tomorrow!" and one Sunday at 9am saying "CERTIFY NOW!" It's been a total lifesaver because with everything going on (kids, life, chaos) it's so easy to forget these things. You're going to be fine! One missed day won't hurt your benefits at all, especially since you've been consistent for 3 months. The stress you're feeling right now is way worse than what actually happens. Hang in there! 🤗

ugh this happened to my sister too, she was DISCHARGED after like 8 weeks of getting benefits and it turned out her job search log wasn't detailed enough for them. Had to appeal and resubmit everything

I went through something similar a few months ago when my claim got discharged. The key thing is to immediately check your online account for any determination letters or notices - they usually explain exactly why the discharge happened. In my case, it was because my former employer reported that I had refused offered work (which wasn't true). I had to gather documentation proving I never received any job offers and file an appeal. The whole process took about 6 weeks but I did get my benefits reinstated retroactively. Don't panic, but definitely act quickly on any appeal deadlines. Also try calling early in the morning around 8 AM - that's when I had the best luck getting through to someone at NYS Department of Labor.

Just went through this myself a few months ago. Filed the day after I was let go and it took about 3 weeks to get my first payment. The whole process is stressful but manageable if you stay on top of your weekly claims and job search requirements.

Sorry to hear about your situation, Luca. I went through something similar last year. You definitely want to file ASAP - not just because of the timing but also because NYS DOL has been really backlogged lately. Even though there's technically no hard deadline, every day you wait is potentially a day of benefits you're missing out on. The online system at labor.ny.gov is usually the fastest way to get your claim started. One tip: when you file, be honest but concise about the termination reason. Don't overthink it - just stick to the facts. The adjudication process (if it happens) will sort out the details later. Hang in there!