Just wanted to update that I found the right page and successfully recertified! Thanks everyone for the help. It's a huge relief. I set a recurring reminder on my phone for Sunday mornings too so I don't forget going forward.

As someone who went through this same confusion when I first started claiming benefits, I'd recommend also signing up for text alerts if NY offers them - some states do this to remind you about certification deadlines. Also, if you're ever traveling or won't have internet access during your certification window, you can usually call ahead to certify by phone. The automated phone system is actually pretty straightforward once you get used to it. Keep your Social Security number and PIN handy when you call. Good luck with your benefits!

This is such an important thread - thank you everyone for sharing your experiences! I've been dealing with something similar and it's honestly scary how sophisticated these scams are getting. What really helped me was creating a simple checklist after reading through all these responses: 1) Never click links in emails claiming to be from government agencies, 2) Always manually type official websites (like labor.ny.gov) into your browser, 3) Check the actual sender email address, not just the display name, 4) Remember that real DOL communications usually come through your online account portal first, and 5) When in doubt, call the official number from their website (even if the hold times are brutal). I also set up credit monitoring after reading about how these unemployment scams often lead to other types of identity theft. It's a small monthly fee but worth the peace of mind. Stay vigilant everyone - these criminals are unfortunately getting better at what they do, but at least we can help each other spot the red flags!

This whole thread has been incredibly helpful! I work in banking and we've been seeing a massive uptick in unemployment-related identity theft cases over the past year. A few additional tips from what I've observed: 1) If scammers have filed a fraudulent claim in your name, you might start receiving unexpected 1099-G tax forms in January showing unemployment income you never received - definitely contest these with the IRS immediately, 2) Sometimes the first sign isn't even an email but rather your employer getting contacted by DOL to verify your employment status, so give your HR department a heads up about potential fraud, and 3) Consider setting up a my Social Security account at ssa.gov to monitor for any suspicious activity there too, since unemployment fraud often goes hand-in-hand with Social Security fraud. The good news is that once you report it and get through to the right people, NYS DOL has gotten much better at flagging and preventing further fraudulent activity on your SSN. Just be persistent with those phone calls and document everything!

The NYS Department of Labor benefit calculator used to be easier to find on their website but they moved everything around. Your benefit rate also depends on having enough wages in your base period to qualify, not just the weekly amount calculation. If you haven't worked consistently or had gaps in employment it might affect your eligibility too.

I just went through this process a few months ago after getting laid off from my construction job. You're right that you can't get the exact amount until you file, but I found a rough way to estimate it. Look at your pay stubs from your highest-earning quarter (usually your most recent full quarter before layoff) and add up the gross wages. Then divide by 26 - that gives you a ballpark figure, though it'll be capped at the maximum weekly benefit amount. With your salary plus the part-time work, you'll probably hit or get close to the maximum. The good news is NYS Department of Labor processes claims pretty quickly once you file, so you won't be waiting weeks to find out your actual rate.

Restaurant closures usually process faster than other claim types since there's no question about the reason for separation. Make sure you have your last pay stub and any closure notice from your employer ready in case they ask for documentation. Also double-check that your SSN and address are exactly right in your application - small errors can cause delays.

I went through this exact same situation last year when my restaurant job ended due to closure. It took about 2.5 weeks for my initial claim to get approved, which was nerve-wracking when bills were piling up. One thing that helped me was setting up direct deposit if you haven't already - it speeds up payment once you're approved. Also, start documenting your job search activities now even while waiting, because once approved you'll need to show you're actively looking for work. The good news is restaurant industry layoffs due to closure are usually pretty straightforward for them to process since there's no dispute about eligibility.

The whole NYS Department of Labor appeal system is a joke honestly. They side with employers like 90% of the time no matter what evidence you have. I filed an appeal last year for wrongful termination and even with a hostile work environment documented they still denied me. But you should still try because occasionally they do the right thing.

I just went through the appeal process successfully a few months ago! One thing that really helped me was writing a detailed timeline of events leading up to my termination. Include dates, times, and any witnesses present when you reported the unsafe conditions. Also, if you have any photos or documentation of the unsafe conditions, definitely include those. The Administrative Law Judge seemed really interested in the fact that I had tried to address the issues internally first before being terminated. Don't give up - retaliation for reporting safety issues is taken seriously in these hearings. Make sure to emphasize that the "poor performance" claims only came up after you complained about safety.