good luck! these hearings are stressful but if you were really laid off due to budget cuts you should be fine. just tell the truth

I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago - employer claimed misconduct when it was really a layoff. Here's what helped me win: 1) Organize all your documents chronologically in a folder, 2) Write out a timeline of events leading to your termination, 3) Practice explaining your side clearly and concisely, 4) If you have any coworkers who witnessed the layoff discussions, ask if they'd be willing to testify. The judge will likely ask your employer very specific questions about their misconduct claim - if they can't provide solid evidence (like documented warnings, policy violations, etc.), their case falls apart. You've got this! The fact that you have that budget cuts email puts you in a really strong position.

I just went through this process last week! One tip that helped me - after you find the "Manage Payment Options" section that Emily mentioned, make sure to verify your address is correct too. My direct deposit got delayed because my mailing address in the system was outdated, even though the banking info was right. The system does a verification check and if anything doesn't match up it can cause delays. Also, keep your confirmation email - I screenshot mine just in case there are any issues later.

I had this same issue a few months ago! One thing that really helped me was making sure to set up direct deposit right after I certified for my weekly claim. I noticed that if I tried to update my payment method in the middle of the week, it seemed to take longer to process. Also, don't panic if you don't see the change reflected immediately in your account dashboard - it took about 24-48 hours for the system to show my updated payment method, but the actual direct deposit still worked on schedule. Just make sure to keep certifying weekly as normal while the change processes. The transition from checks to direct deposit was honestly a game changer for my budgeting!

Just want to echo what others have said about not waiting - I made that mistake in 2024 and ended up with a 3-week gap in payments while they processed my late application. The system is definitely stricter now than it used to be. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that you should also check if you have any outstanding issues or "red flags" on your account before applying for the extension. I had an old work search verification that was still pending from months ago, and it automatically blocked my extension application until I resolved it. You can see any pending issues in the "Account Status" section. Also, for anyone worried about the job search documentation - I used a simple table format in my PDF with columns for Date, Company, Position, Method (online/email/in-person), and Contact Info. They accepted it without any issues. The format doesn't seem to matter as much as having all the required information clearly laid out. Good luck to everyone going through this process! It's stressful but definitely doable if you stay on top of the deadlines.

I'm going through the exact same anxiety right now - my benefits run out in 8 days and I've been losing sleep over this! Reading through everyone's experiences here has been so helpful though. I just logged into my NY.gov account after reading all these comments and found that Pre-Extension Checklist that @Danielle Campbell mentioned - it's exactly where she said it would be in a small notification box on the dashboard. Turns out I was missing one quarterly review from last year that I need to complete before I can apply for the extension. The checklist also confirmed that I need to have my job search documentation ready as a PDF. I've been tracking everything in a spreadsheet, so I'll convert that to PDF format using the table structure @Chloe Martin suggested. One question for anyone who's been through this recently - do they require specific types of job applications (like only online applications) or do networking contacts and informational interviews count toward the work search requirements for the extension? I've been doing a mix of everything but want to make sure I'm documenting the right activities. Thanks again to everyone for sharing their experiences. This community is a lifesaver when the official NYSDOL resources are so confusing!

Just to add - make sure you're answering all the questions honestly when you certify. They ask about any work you did, job refusals, if you were able and available, etc. Don't rush through it or you could end up with an adjudication issue later.

Great question! I was confused about this too when I first started. The key thing to remember is that you're certifying for a completed week (Sunday through Saturday), and you can do it any day after that week ends. I personally certify on Sunday evenings - it helps me stay organized and I can review my job search activities from the week that just ended. The NYS DOL system will show you exactly which week you're certifying for, so you don't have to worry about getting mixed up. Just make sure you don't skip a week or you might have to call them to fix it!

I'm sorry you're going through this stress - job insecurity is really tough! Based on what you've described, you should definitely be eligible for unemployment benefits. Minor write-ups for being a few minutes late or not folding clothes perfectly aren't considered misconduct by NYS Department of Labor standards. I'd recommend starting to gather your documents now (pay stubs, employee handbook, copies of those write-ups) so you're ready to file immediately if/when it happens. Also, don't let them pressure you into quitting - if you quit voluntarily, it's much harder to get benefits. Stay strong and let them fire you if that's what they're planning. You've got this!

Hey Connor, I know this situation is really stressful but you're asking the right questions! I went through something similar about 6 months ago at my restaurant job. What really helped me was documenting everything - keep copies of those write-ups and any emails or texts from your manager. When I filed my claim, NYS Department of Labor asked for specific details about why I was terminated, and having that documentation made the process much smoother. Also, if you do get fired, don't sign anything they put in front of you without reading it carefully - sometimes employers try to get you to sign something that says you quit voluntarily. You've been there 8 months so you should definitely meet the work history requirements. The fact that you're getting written up for minor things actually works in your favor since it shows they're looking for reasons rather than you committing actual misconduct. Start preparing now and you'll be in good shape!