I went through this process earlier this year and honestly, it's somewhere in between the horror stories and the success stories. The initial application is pretty straightforward - took me about 45 minutes to complete online. The real challenge comes if you hit any snags along the way. In my case, there was a small discrepancy with one of my previous employer's records that triggered a review, and that added about 3 weeks to the process. My advice: apply as soon as possible since there's a waiting week anyway, gather ALL your employment documentation beforehand (not just recent stuff), and be super accurate with dates and details. Since you were laid off from retail, you should qualify as long as you worked enough hours. The job search requirement isn't too bad - 3 applications per week with basic documentation. Even if it takes longer than expected, the retroactive payments make it worth the effort.

I just went through this process a few months ago and honestly, it's not as scary as people make it sound. The online application is pretty user-friendly and walks you through everything step by step. Since you were laid off (not fired), you should definitely apply - that's exactly what unemployment is for! The key is just being thorough and honest with your information. I'd recommend applying sooner rather than later because there's a one-week waiting period before benefits start anyway. Keep track of your job search activities from day one since you'll need to report them weekly. The whole process took about 2 weeks for me to get my first payment. Don't let the negative stories discourage you from getting the help you're entitled to!

I work in HR and deal with unemployment claims regularly - can confirm that age is absolutely not a factor in eligibility for NY unemployment benefits. The only requirements are that you lost your job involuntarily, you're physically able to work, and you're actively seeking employment. At 65, as long as you're genuinely looking for work (which sounds like you are), you'll qualify just like any other claimant. One tip: when you file your weekly certifications, be specific about your job search activities - list actual companies you contacted, positions you applied for, etc. The more detailed your records, the smoother the process will be. And don't worry about employers potentially discriminating based on age during your search - that's their problem, not the Department of Labor's, and it won't affect your benefit eligibility as long as you keep applying.

I'm 67 and was laid off from my job in retail management about 6 months ago. I successfully collected unemployment benefits with no issues whatsoever - they never even questioned my age during the application process. The key thing is showing that you're genuinely looking for work, which it sounds like you are. I had to do the same weekly job search requirements as everyone else (3 job contacts per week minimum), and I kept a simple spreadsheet tracking where I applied, when, and any responses I got. One thing that helped me was being flexible about the type of positions I'd accept - I ended up taking a part-time role that worked out great and allowed me to keep some benefits while transitioning. Don't let your age discourage you from filing - you've earned these benefits through years of work and paying into the system!

I can totally relate to that panic! I had a similar situation about 3 months ago where I completely spaced and certified 2 days late. I was convinced I had ruined everything and would lose my benefits, but it turned out to be no big deal at all. My payment came through about 2 days later than usual, but I got the full amount. The NYS DOL system is surprisingly forgiving for occasional late submissions - they understand that people have busy lives and sometimes forget. I've since set calendar reminders on my phone for certification day, and I also signed up for the text notifications through ny.gov that someone mentioned earlier. Those notifications have been a lifesaver! Don't beat yourself up over this - it happens to more people than you'd think, and one day late is really nothing to worry about.

I've been certifying with NYS DOL for about 8 months now and can definitely echo what everyone else is saying - one day late is absolutely no problem at all! I've actually been late a few times myself due to work travel and family emergencies, and it's never affected my benefits. The longest I was late was 3 days, and I still received my full payment, just delayed by a couple days. What really put my mind at ease was when I spoke to a DOL representative who told me they actually expect occasional late certifications and build that flexibility into their system. She said they only start to flag accounts when people are consistently late for multiple weeks in a row. For setting up reminders, I highly recommend using both the ny.gov text notifications AND setting a recurring phone alarm for your certification day - having that backup has saved me several times! You're going to be totally fine, and honestly, this kind of small hiccup is just part of navigating the system. Don't stress about it!

I'm dealing with the exact same situation - 7 weeks in adjudication and feeling completely helpless. The financial stress is overwhelming when you're doing everything right but the system just fails you. I've tried calling every day, sometimes multiple times, and either get disconnected or told they can't provide any updates. What's really frustrating is that there's no transparency about what's actually causing the delay or even a realistic timeline for resolution. I've been documenting everything like others suggested, but it feels like we're all just stuck waiting while bills pile up. Has anyone had success with escalating through supervisors when you do get through to someone?

I'm really sorry you're going through this - the 8 week wait is absolutely unacceptable, especially when you're facing eviction. While suing NYS DOL is extremely difficult (they have sovereign immunity protections), there are some immediate steps that might help. First, definitely contact your state senator and assembly member's offices - their constituent services can sometimes get DOL to respond faster. Second, try reaching out to legal aid organizations in your area - they often know specific advocacy tactics for unemployment delays. Third, consider filing a complaint with the New York State Comptroller's office about the processing delays. Document everything with timestamps and reference numbers. The system is broken, but most people do eventually get their benefits with back pay. Don't give up certifying weekly even while waiting - you'll lose those weeks if you stop. Hang in there!

I'm dealing with a similar situation at my company right now - they just announced a 25% pay cut for everyone in our department. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly helpful, especially knowing that NYS Department of Labor does recognize substantial pay cuts as good cause for quitting. I've been with my company for 3 years and this would drop my salary from $48,000 to $36,000, which would make it impossible for me to cover my rent and basic expenses. I'm planning to start documenting everything immediately like you all suggested - the original announcement, my current pay stubs, and any follow-up communications. It's scary to think about quitting, but it sounds like there's a real path forward with unemployment benefits if I handle it properly. Thanks for sharing all your experiences and advice - it's making me feel less alone in this difficult situation.

I'm a labor law attorney and wanted to add some legal perspective to this discussion. You're all on the right track - New York does recognize "constructive discharge" when employers make substantial unilateral changes to employment terms. A 30% pay cut definitely qualifies as substantial under NYS case law. However, there are some important timing considerations: 1) Don't accept even one paycheck at the reduced rate if possible, as this could be seen as accepting the new terms, 2) File your unemployment claim within the same week you quit, and 3) Be prepared for the employer to contest your claim - they often do in these situations. Also keep in mind that unemployment benefits in NY are typically 50% of your average weekly wage (up to the maximum), so plan your finances accordingly. Document everything, including any verbal communications, and consider sending a formal resignation letter clearly stating you're resigning due to the substantial reduction in compensation. This creates a clear record of your reasoning.