The pandemic programs ending was such a mess. So many people got cut off suddenly and didn't understand why. At least now the system is back to normal operations but it's still a pain to navigate sometimes.

I remember the confusion back in 2021 when those programs ended. A lot of people didn't realize the cutoff was so abrupt. Your brother might want to check if he qualifies for regular NY unemployment instead - the eligibility requirements are different but if he recently lost a job he might still have options. The NYS Department of Labor website has a good eligibility checker tool that can help determine if someone qualifies for current benefits.

wait i thought you had to be unemployed for like 2 weeks before filing?? this is confusing lol

One more tip - when you file online, make sure to keep screenshots or print out your confirmation page with your claim number. The NYS DOL system sometimes has issues and having that proof can be really helpful if there are any problems later. Also, set up direct deposit right away if possible - it's much faster than waiting for paper checks in the mail. The whole process can feel overwhelming but once you get your first payment it gets much easier to manage.

My cousin had the same worry but her immigration lawyer told her to definitely file for unemployment since she earned it. She's been collecting for 4 months now with no immigration issues. Don't let fear keep you from getting benefits you're entitled to!

I completely understand your anxiety about this - it's such a scary situation when you're worried about your immigration status! But everyone here is absolutely right. I went through this exact same worry when I was laid off during my green card process. Unemployment insurance is NOT considered public charge because it's an earned benefit - you literally paid for this insurance through your payroll deductions. The USCIS policy manual specifically excludes unemployment compensation from public charge considerations. I collected UI for about 8 months and it had zero impact on my immigration case. Don't let fear prevent you from accessing benefits you earned and deserve! File your claim with NYS Department of Labor - you paid into this system and you're entitled to these benefits.

Just wanted to add that you should register ASAP because some people have had their claims held up for not completing the work registration requirement on time. Better safe than sorry with NYS Department of Labor - they're pretty strict about following all the rules.

I went through this process a few months ago and want to add that the work registration on jobs.labor.ny.gov also requires you to upload a resume. Make sure your resume is in a common format like PDF or Word doc - I had issues with other formats being rejected. Also, once you're registered, you can actually use job applications through their portal as part of your required 3 weekly job search activities, so it does serve a dual purpose. The key is doing it within that first week like Rachel mentioned - NYS Department of Labor is really strict about the timeline.

I'm new to filing unemployment claims and this recall date question has been stressing me out too! Reading through everyone's responses is so helpful - it seems like the consensus is that if your employer didn't give you a specific return date when they laid you off, then leaving it blank is the right approach. I was laid off from my restaurant job in January and my manager just said "we're closing this location indefinitely" with no mention of any recall date. Based on what everyone is sharing here, I feel much more confident about leaving that field blank on my weekly certifications. It's such a relief to find this community where people share their actual experiences with the NYS Department of Labor system!

I went through this same confusion when I was first filing! The recall date field really threw me off too. What I learned is that if your employer didn't give you a specific date when they expect to call you back, then you simply don't have a recall date to enter. Since your employer laid you off in December without mentioning any specific return date, leaving it blank is absolutely the correct approach. I was worried about the same thing - making a mistake that would mess up my benefits - but the NYS Department of Labor system is designed to handle these situations where there genuinely is no recall date. You're being honest about your actual circumstances, which is exactly what they want. I've been filing weekly certifications for several months now with that field blank (similar permanent layoff situation) and have never had any issues with my claims.