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Just make sure you file your weekly claims even while your initial claim is being processed! I made that mistake when I first filed and it delayed everything. Also start looking for work right away because you'll need to show job search activities on your weekly claims.
I went through this exact same situation last year when I got laid off from my warehouse job. Since you were terminated due to company restructuring (not for cause), you should definitely qualify for benefits. When you file online at my.ny.gov, you'll need your Social Security number, driver's license, and employment history for the last 18 months including employer names, addresses, and dates worked. The process is pretty straightforward - just be honest about why you left and let them know it was a layoff due to restructuring. Good luck!
Same boat here! Filed 3 weeks ago for a layoff and still waiting. At least I know I'm not the only one dealing with this uncertainty.
I went through something similar about 6 months ago with a complex layoff situation. NYS Department of Labor took about 4 weeks to resolve mine, but the wait was definitely nerve-wracking. One thing that helped me was calling my local career center - they couldn't speed up the process but they were able to connect me with some emergency assistance programs while I waited. Also, make sure you're continuing to certify for benefits each week even while it's pending, otherwise you might miss out on back pay if approved. Hang in there!
Don't forget you can also check your payment history and benefit amount on your my.ny.gov account once your claim is processed. Sometimes it takes a week or two after filing to see your actual weekly benefit rate show up in the system.
Hey Mateo, I went through this same situation last year when I got laid off from my tech job. One thing to add to what others have said - make sure you apply as soon as possible because there's usually a one-week waiting period before benefits start. Also, if you have any severance pay, that might delay when your benefits kick in depending on how it's structured. The online application process is pretty straightforward but gather all your employment info first (dates, employer details, reason for separation). You should get a determination letter within a few weeks that will show your exact weekly benefit amount. Hang in there - the system does work once you get through the initial setup!
To summarize for everyone: You can certify anytime from 12:01 AM Sunday through 11:59 PM Saturday. However, the optimal times for system performance are typically: - Sunday between 7-10 AM (good balance of early certification and system performance) - Sunday between 2-5 PM (less traffic than morning) - Monday-Wednesday mornings (very fast processing but delays payment by a day for each day you wait) The system occasionally undergoes maintenance during overnight hours on weekends, so checking for notices if you plan to certify during late night/early morning hours is recommended.
I've been certifying right at midnight for months now and honestly it's hit or miss. Some weeks it goes through perfectly fine in under 5 minutes, other weeks the site crawls or I get timeout errors. What I've started doing is having a backup plan - if midnight doesn't work smoothly, I just wait until Sunday around 9am when it's usually much faster. The peace of mind is worth potentially waiting a few extra hours for payment. Also pro tip: make sure you're logged out completely before trying to certify, sometimes having old sessions causes issues.
Amina Sow
Been there! The difference is basically this: unemployed means you have no job at all, underemployed means you have a job but it's not enough hours or pay to meet your needs. NYS Department of Labor has specific rules for partial unemployment which sounds like what you qualify for. Just make sure you keep looking for full-time work and document your job search activities.
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Owen Devar
I'm in a similar boat - my retail job cut me from 40 hours to about 15 hours per week after the holidays. From what I've learned, you're dealing with "partial unemployment" which NYS recognizes. The good news is you can still collect benefits while working reduced hours. Just keep filing your weekly claims and reporting all your earnings honestly. They'll calculate your benefit based on the difference. I was worried about the same thing but my caseworker confirmed that as long as the hour reduction wasn't your choice, you qualify. The job search requirement still applies though, so keep looking for full-time work or additional part-time hours.
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