UPDATE: My payment just hit my account! So it was definitely just the holiday delay. Thanks everyone for the help and reassurance!

Same thing happened to me last holiday weekend - was stressed for nothing! For anyone new to this, it's worth bookmarking the NYSDOL website calendar that shows processing delays for holidays. They don't always advertise it well but the info is there if you know where to look. Glad everyone's payments are coming through!

THE 26 WEEK LIMIT IS RIDICULOUS!!! I've been paying into this system for 15 years and they give you barely 6 months of help. Other countries give way more unemployment support than this.

Just wanted to add that if you're in construction like the original poster, you might want to look into whether your union has any additional benefits or job placement services. Some construction unions have their own unemployment funds that can supplement state benefits. Also, make sure you're checking all the job boards specific to construction work - not just general sites. The 26 weeks can go by faster than you think, especially if you're being picky about wages or location. Start applying broadly early in your claim period so you have time to be more selective later if needed.

Just wanted to say good luck with your appeal. The whole unemployment system is such a nightmare to navigate. At least with the hour reduction you have a clear cut case - that's definitely good cause for quitting in NY.

I went through a similar appeal process last year and won! A few additional tips that helped me: 1) Include a timeline of events with specific dates (when hours were reduced, when you gave notice, etc.) 2) If you have any written communication with your employer about the hour reduction, include copies 3) Calculate and mention the percentage reduction in hours - going from full-time to under 10 hours is usually a 70%+ reduction which clearly shows substantial change in employment terms 4) Don't forget to mention if the hour reduction affected your eligibility for benefits like health insurance. The hearing officer really focused on the substantial change aspect in my case. Stay organized and factual - you've got a strong case here!

One thing to add - make sure you understand the difference between "accepting" a job offer and actually starting work. I learned the hard way that you can accept an offer on Monday but if you don't start until the following week, you're still unemployed for that entire week and should file your claim. The key date is when you actually begin working and earning wages, not when you shake hands on the deal. Also, keep all your paperwork (offer letter, start date confirmation, etc.) in case NYS Department of Labor ever needs to verify your timeline.

Just to add another perspective - I went through this transition last year and one thing that really helped was calling NYS Department of Labor the day before I started my new job to confirm I was handling everything correctly. The agent walked me through exactly how to file my final partial week claim and made sure I understood the reporting requirements. Even though the wait time was long, it gave me peace of mind knowing I was doing everything by the book. Also, keep detailed records of your job search activities and any work you do - NYS Department of Labor can request this information during audits, and having everything documented makes the process much smoother if they ever need to review your case.

As someone who just joined this community, I have to say this entire thread has been incredibly eye-opening! Reading through everyone's experiences with NY unemployment filing really highlights how important it is to have knowledgeable people willing to share what they've learned the hard way. The original poster's situation resonates with me because I think many of us would make that same mistake - assuming we'll find work quickly and not wanting to "burden the system" if we don't really need it. But it's clear from everyone's responses that unemployment benefits exist for exactly these situations, and there's no shame in using them when you're eligible. What really stands out to me is how this community provided both practical information (the 4-week backdating rule, good cause requirements, weekly certification reminders) AND emotional support throughout the process. The follow-up showing that 3 out of 6 weeks got approved proves that even when you make mistakes, acting quickly based on good advice can still salvage a difficult situation. For anyone else who might stumble across this thread in the future: don't wait! File immediately, be honest about why you delayed, and make sure to certify every single week going forward. This community has created a really valuable resource here.

As a newcomer to this community, I'm really grateful to have found this thread! Reading through everyone's experiences with NY unemployment filing has been incredibly educational. The original poster's situation is so relatable - I think many of us would assume we'd find work quickly and hesitate to file for benefits. What amazes me most is how this community provided not just technical guidance about backdating rules and filing procedures, but genuine support throughout the entire process. Seeing the follow-up that 3 out of 6 weeks got approved gives me hope that even when mistakes are made, acting on good advice can still make a meaningful difference. The key takeaways are crystal clear: file immediately when unemployed, understand that NY allows up to 4 weeks of backdating with good cause, keep detailed job search records, and never miss weekly certifications. This thread should be required reading for anyone navigating NY's unemployment system! Thanks to everyone who shared their hard-earned wisdom here - communities like this make such a difference during challenging times.