Ugh the whole system is so broken. Been waiting 3 months for my appeal hearing and still nothing. At least you're only at 6 weeks - consider yourself lucky! The NYS Department of Labor is completely overwhelmed and understaffed.

I'm going through something similar right now - been waiting 5 weeks for my adjudication to complete. What I've learned from calling (took me days to get through) is that most reviews happen because employers contest the claim or there's a discrepancy in the separation reason. The rep told me that warehouse/retail layoffs are especially scrutinized because employers sometimes claim "performance issues" instead of admitting it was a true layoff. Have you tried logging into your NY.gov account to see if there are any employer protest documents? Sometimes they show up there even if you don't get notified. Also definitely keep certifying weekly like others said - that's crucial for getting your back pay when this finally resolves.

Just make sure you keep up with your job search log and weekly certifications. That's what actually matters for staying eligible. NYS Department of Labor is more concerned about whether you're actively looking for work than anything else.

This is really helpful information everyone! I was also wondering about this when I first applied. One thing I'd add is that if you're concerned about your specific situation, you can always call the NYS Department of Labor directly or check their FAQ section on unemployment eligibility. The main things they care about are that you're able to work, available for work, and actively searching for employment. The drug testing worry is totally understandable but as others have confirmed, it's not part of their standard process.

Don't forget you can also check your payment history and benefit amount on your my.ny.gov account once your claim is processed. Sometimes it takes a week or two after filing to see your actual weekly benefit rate show up in the system.

Hey Mateo, I went through this same situation last year when I got laid off from my tech job. One thing to add to what others have said - make sure you apply as soon as possible because there's usually a one-week waiting period before benefits start. Also, if you have any severance pay, that might delay when your benefits kick in depending on how it's structured. The online application process is pretty straightforward but gather all your employment info first (dates, employer details, reason for separation). You should get a determination letter within a few weeks that will show your exact weekly benefit amount. Hang in there - the system does work once you get through the initial setup!

Just wanted to say thanks for asking this question - I'm in almost the exact same boat with owing taxes from when my business failed. Was also worried about applying but this thread convinced me to go ahead and file my claim.

Don't stress about the tax debt - it won't affect your UI eligibility at all! I work in HR and have helped tons of employees file unemployment claims over the years. NYS Department of Labor only looks at your employment history and separation reason. The IRS debt is completely unrelated. Just make sure you file your weekly certifications on time once you're approved. Construction workers usually qualify easily since layoffs are so common in that industry due to seasonal work and project completions.

This is absolutely ridiculous and I'm sorry you're dealing with this. I went through something similar last year - ended up with 6 interviews over 4 months before I finally got it resolved. The key is finding out WHY your account is flagged. In my case, it was because I had worked some freelance gigs before getting laid off and their system flagged it as "irregular employment pattern." Once I got through to a supervisor who could see the actual flag on my account, they removed it and the interviews stopped. Don't give up - that's exactly what they want you to do. Document everything and keep pushing for answers about why you're being targeted specifically.

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Just got scheduled for my 4th interview after they told me the 3rd one would be my last. It's so frustrating because I'm doing everything right - applying to jobs, keeping detailed records, showing up to all their interviews on time. But they keep dragging me through this process while I'm just trying to find work. Reading through these comments makes me realize this is happening to way more people than I thought. It's clearly some kind of systematic issue with their flagging system. I'm definitely going to try calling and asking specifically what flag is on my account and demanding they document why I keep getting selected. This whole system feels designed to wear us down until we just give up claiming benefits we've earned. Thanks for posting this - at least now I know I'm not alone in dealing with this nonsense!