UGH the NYS Department of Labor system is such a nightmare to navigate! I've been trying to get through to someone on the phone for WEEKS about my claim status and can never get past the busy signal. It's like they don't want people to actually get help. The whole system needs to be completely overhauled.

same boat here, filed last week and still waiting to hear anything back. this whole process is stressful enough without having to worry about when the money will start coming in

The whole quarter system is so confusing! I filed in October and they told me I didn't have enough wages but never explained which quarters they were looking at. Had to call like 15 times before someone finally walked me through it.

Based on what everyone's shared, it sounds like you should be in good shape since you worked full-time in early 2024. Just to add some clarity - the key thing to remember is that NYS Department of Labor needs to see wages in at least 2 different quarters within your base period, and those wages need to total at least $2,600. Since you mentioned working part-time through 2023 and then full-time starting early 2024, you likely have wages spread across multiple quarters which should help you meet both requirements. The system will automatically check both base periods for you, so you don't need to request the alternate base period - it happens behind the scenes if needed.

wait so you dont have to work somewhere for like 6 months or a year to get unemployment?? i thought there was a minimum time requirement at each job

I was in a similar situation last year - started a job in February and had to leave by June due to hostile work environment. The key thing is that NYS DOL will look at ALL your previous employment, not just your most recent job. So if you worked anywhere in the past 15-18 months and earned enough during that base period, you should qualify. Just make sure you document everything about those schedule changes - dates, times, any emails or texts about last-minute changes. That documentation could be crucial if you need to prove you had good cause for leaving.

Just want to echo what others said - quitting to go to school typically won't qualify you for UI benefits. There are some training programs that might allow you to collect while in school, but you'd need to be laid off first and then get approved for the training. Check with your local career center about approved training programs.

Just to add some practical advice - if you're really considering this path, you might want to look into whether your employer offers any educational assistance or leave of absence options first. Some companies will work with you on flexible schedules or even tuition reimbursement for job-related training. Also, check if there are any evening or weekend programs available so you could potentially keep working while training. The unemployment system really isn't designed to support voluntary career changes, so exploring other options first might save you a lot of headaches.

I went through something similar when I was fired for attendance issues related to my kids getting sick frequently. The key thing that helped me was being completely honest about the circumstances when I filed. I explained the childcare situation in detail and provided documentation like daycare closure notices and pediatrician notes. NYS Department of Labor actually approved my claim because they determined it wasn't willful misconduct - just unfortunate circumstances. Don't let the fear of denial stop you from filing immediately. The worst thing you can do is wait, because there are strict deadlines for filing claims. Good luck!

I'm dealing with something similar right now after getting let go for attendance issues. Reading through everyone's experiences here is really helpful. One thing I wanted to add is that when you file your claim, don't just focus on the transportation and childcare problems - also mention any efforts you made to address the tardiness issue with your employer. Did you ever ask about flexible start times, offer to stay late to make up time, or suggest any other accommodations? NYS Department of Labor looks at whether you tried to resolve the situation in good faith. Even if your employer wasn't willing to work with you, showing that you attempted to find solutions can help demonstrate that your termination wasn't due to willful misconduct. Also, if you have any performance reviews or documentation showing you were a good employee otherwise, include that too.