Update us when you get this resolved! Were you able to reach someone at NYSDOL? The base period recalculation explanation sounds most likely, but it's important to confirm. Sometimes there can be multiple issues affecting your benefit amount simultaneously.

Wow, thanks for updating us @Sarah Ali! I'm so glad you got this figured out and that Claimyr service actually worked. This whole thread has been super educational - I had no idea about the base period recalculation thing. It's crazy that NYSDOL doesn't explain this better upfront. Like, they should send a clear notice saying "Your benefits are changing because we're now using different quarters to calculate your amount" instead of just... reducing it with no explanation. At least now if this happens to me or others, we'll know what to look for. Sorry you're dealing with the reduced amount but glad the mystery is solved!

You got this! Appeals are winnable if you have the right evidence. I won mine by showing the company's story didn't match the timeline of events.

I went through this exact situation 8 months ago - also got wrongly labeled as "misconduct" when it was clearly a layoff. The appeal hearing was actually straightforward once I had my documentation ready. Make sure to get a copy of your employee handbook too, especially any sections about disciplinary procedures. If they didn't follow their own progressive discipline policy before terminating you, that's strong evidence it wasn't misconduct. Also, if other employees were let go around the same time, try to get their contact info as potential witnesses. The judge will want to hear about the broader context of company layoffs, not just your individual case. Don't let the 30-day deadline stress you out - as long as you file on time, you'll get your chance to present your side.

Here's what I learned the hard way: NY unemployment doesn't care about your business struggles - they only care if you're available for full-time work. If you tell them you're still trying to save your business while looking for jobs, they'll deny you. You need to be crystal clear that your business is effectively closed (even if legally still exists) and you're 100% available for full-time employment.

Been lurking here for a while but finally creating an account to share what worked for me. I was in almost the exact same situation with my catering business in 2023 - spent years building it up, then supply costs killed my margins and I couldn't pay myself for months. The key insight that saved me: you CAN get unemployment as a business owner IF you've been paying yourself W-2 wages and UI taxes (which it sounds like you have). The trick is formally laying yourself off from your own business while being genuinely available for full-time work. I kept my LLC active but stopped all operations and client work. Document everything - the date you stopped working, your job search efforts, financial records showing no income. Most importantly, when you apply, be very clear that your business operations have ceased and you're seeking full-time employment. Don't mention trying to "save" the business - that signals you're not fully available for work. I know it feels like giving up on your dream, but you can always restart operations later when you're financially stable. The unemployment benefits gave me breathing room to find a good job, and now I'm actually planning to restart my catering business as a side venture. Hang in there - 9 years of experience doesn't just disappear!

Ok everyone, I FINALLY got through this morning at 8:02am! The wait was only 17 minutes instead of 2+ hours. The issue was that they needed additional verification for my identity (exactly what you mentioned @user7). They're sending me a link to upload documents. Thank you all for your help and suggestions!

Congrats on getting through @Maya! That's such a relief after all that frustration. For anyone else still struggling - I've had success with the early morning strategy too. Also wanted to add that if you're dealing with identity verification issues, make sure your documents are recent (within the last 6 months) and that all text is clearly readable. I had to resubmit mine twice because the first photos were too blurry. The whole process took about 10 business days once I got the documents right.

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now and this thread has been incredibly helpful! One thing I wanted to add - if anyone else is reading this and facing the same problem, make sure you check if your state has any "good cause" exceptions for work search requirements. Sometimes life circumstances (like lack of transportation, caring for family members, or technical issues with job sites) can be valid reasons for not meeting the exact requirements. Also, I noticed some people mentioned using online services to get through to unemployment offices - just be careful about giving personal info to third-party services. The official NYSDOL website has a callback feature that might be safer to try first. Kaiya, I'm rooting for you in your appeal! The fact that you were genuinely trying to find work and have documentation should work in your favor.

I've been following this thread and wanted to share something that might help others avoid this situation in the future. I learned the hard way that NY has very specific requirements about HOW you document your work search activities. It's not enough to just do them - you need to log them correctly in their system. When you certify for benefits each week, there's a section where you have to enter your work search activities. Many people (including me initially) would just check "yes" that they did their searches without filling in the detailed information for each activity. The system actually tracks whether you're providing specific details like employer names, dates, and method of contact for each search. Also, if you're applying through job boards like Indeed or LinkedIn, make sure to keep the confirmation emails or screenshots showing the date and time you applied. Some employers don't respond to applications through these platforms, so the DOL might question whether your application was actually received. The good news is that the appeals process really does work if you have your documentation together. I've seen people win even when they made honest mistakes about the requirements. The key is showing that you were genuinely trying to find work and not just gaming the system.