This is really helpful information! I had no idea the rates could vary so much based on experience rating. One thing I'm still wondering about - does the size of the company affect these rates at all? Like would a small business with 5 employees pay the same percentage as a large corporation, assuming they have similar layoff histories? Also, is there any way for employees to actually see what rate their employer is paying, or is that confidential business information?

One thing that might help clarify this for everyone - the NYS DOL actually publishes an annual rate schedule that breaks down how the experience rating system works. New employers start at that 3.4% rate mentioned earlier, but after they've been in business for a few years and have enough data, their rate gets recalculated based on their "reserve ratio" - basically comparing how much they've paid in versus how much their former employees have claimed. Companies with positive reserve ratios (paid in more than was claimed) get lower rates, while those with negative ratios pay higher rates. It's actually a pretty fair system when you think about it, since it makes the costs directly tied to actual usage.

I went through something similar last year - got let go after just 10 weeks at a new job. The key thing to remember is that NY unemployment looks at your entire work history over the base period, not just your most recent job. Since you mentioned working 14 months at your previous job, that should definitely count toward establishing your monetary eligibility. As others have said, "performance issues" typically won't disqualify you unless it involves willful misconduct or violation of company policy. I'd recommend filing your claim this week if you haven't already - the sooner you apply, the sooner you can start receiving benefits if approved. Good luck!

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - got let go after just 8 weeks at a new position. Reading through these responses has been super helpful! One thing I wanted to add is that when you file online, make sure you have all your employment information ready including dates, wages, and employer contact info for both your recent job and your previous 14-month position. The system will ask for detailed work history going back 18 months. Also, don't be discouraged if your employer contests your claim - that's pretty common and doesn't automatically mean you'll be denied. The Department of Labor will review everything and make their own determination based on the facts. Definitely apply ASAP since there's that waiting week before benefits can start!

I'm glad you were able to verify it was legitimate! This is such a common concern - I went through the same worry when I first started getting these texts. One tip I learned: you can also enable login notifications in your NY.gov account settings so you get alerts whenever someone (hopefully just you) accesses your account. It's an extra layer of security that gives me peace of mind, especially with all the scam attempts targeting unemployment recipients these days.

Great advice everyone! I just wanted to add that if you're ever unsure about a text, you can also forward suspicious messages to 7726 (SPAM) to report them. I've been getting unemployment texts for months now and they're definitely legit when they come from those official short codes. The NYSDOL fraud team is also pretty responsive if you email them with concerns - they got back to me within 24 hours when I reported a sketchy text that turned out to be a scam (it was asking for my full SSN via text which is a dead giveaway).

Just wanted to add that if you're unsure, document EVERYTHING. Keep a log of every job application, networking event, career fair, even informational interviews. I use a simple spreadsheet with dates, company names, and what type of contact it was. This way if there's ever a question about your work search activities, you have proof.

I'm dealing with this exact same confusion! I was laid off from a tech job in January and I've been second-guessing myself every week on which category to select. What's helped me is calling it a "general work search" situation since I'm looking for similar roles to what I had before. But honestly, the descriptions are so vague that I feel like I'm guessing half the time. The stress of potentially messing up my benefits over unclear wording is almost worse than being unemployed itself. Really wish they would just provide clearer examples for each category.

One more thing to keep in mind - when you file your claim, you'll need to provide your gross weekly wages from your highest earning quarter in the past 18 months. If you don't have your pay stubs handy, you can usually find this info on your last few pay stubs or W-2 forms. The system will calculate your benefit amount based on this, so having accurate numbers is important. Also, make sure you understand the difference between being "laid off" vs "fired" when they ask about reason for separation - being laid off due to lack of work is different from being terminated for cause, and it affects your eligibility.

Also worth mentioning - if you're getting any severance pay or vacation payout, make sure to report this accurately when filing. NYS DOL needs to know about any payments you're receiving related to your employment, even after your last day of work. Severance can sometimes delay when your benefits start, but it's better to be upfront about it than have issues later. The system will walk you through what needs to be reported, but having that information ready will make the process smoother. Good luck with your claim!