I just went through this exact situation a few months ago! I was a part-time retail worker who got laid off in December 2024, and my manager told me the same thing - that part-timers don't qualify for unemployment. I waited 8 weeks before filing because I trusted her completely (she'd been with the company for like 15 years, so I figured she knew what she was talking about). When I finally discovered she was wrong, I immediately submitted a backdating request with screenshots of our text conversation where she specifically said "part-time employees aren't eligible for NY unemployment benefits." I also included my pay stubs showing I met the earnings requirements and a brief explanation of how I reasonably relied on her guidance. They approved 6 weeks of backdating! The whole process took about a month from submission to approval. The key was being super specific about who told me what and when, plus showing that I acted reasonably by trusting someone I viewed as knowledgeable about company policies. Your text evidence sounds really strong - the fact that your boss specifically mentioned part-time workers not qualifying is exactly the kind of concrete misinformation that NYSDOL recognizes as "good cause." Don't lose hope! Make sure to submit that backdating request ASAP and include every detail you can remember about the conversation with your boss.

Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful! I'm in almost the exact same situation - lost my part-time job in January and my supervisor told me I wouldn't qualify for unemployment because "part-timers don't get benefits." I finally filed last week after finding out that was completely wrong. The success stories here are giving me so much hope! It sounds like having text/email evidence of employer misinformation about part-time eligibility is actually a pretty strong case for backdating. I'm going to gather all my documentation this weekend and submit my request early next week. One question for those who got approved - did you submit any additional evidence beyond just the texts from your employer? Like pay stubs or job search records? I want to make sure I'm including everything that might strengthen my case. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - this thread has been a lifesaver for figuring out the process!

I literally just solved this exact problem yesterday! The 8-digit PIN is completely separate from your my.ny.gov login credentials - it's specifically for the unemployment benefits system. Here's what finally worked for me after being locked out for over a week: First, make sure you're on the current NYS DOL website (not an old bookmark) because they've changed their system multiple times. Look very carefully for a "Forgot PIN" or "Reset PIN" link - it's usually tiny text right below or next to where you enter the PIN. I almost missed it completely because it's so small! If you find it, you'll need to answer security questions about things like previous addresses, first job, mother's maiden name, etc. If that doesn't work or you can't remember the security answers, try calling the main DOL customer service line at exactly 8:00 AM when they open - the wait times are much shorter then. Also, try switching browsers if you're having trouble seeing the reset link - I was using Safari and couldn't see it, but it showed up perfectly in Chrome. Some people have also mentioned there's a buried live chat feature on the DOL website that has shorter wait times than calling. Don't give up - this system is intentionally confusing but you'll get through it!

I'm dealing with this exact same PIN issue right now and I'm so glad I found this thread! I've been trying to access my unemployment account for the past two days and hitting the same 8-digit PIN wall that everyone's describing. I set up my account back in February when I first filed but I have absolutely no memory of creating any PIN separate from my regular password. I've gone through all my confirmation emails from NYS DOL multiple times but there's nothing about an 8-digit PIN anywhere. Based on all the helpful advice here, I'm going to try the "Forgot PIN" link approach first (assuming I can actually find that tiny link everyone mentioned), then try switching browsers if that doesn't work. If the online reset fails, I'll definitely try the 8 AM calling strategy that so many people recommended. It's incredibly frustrating that this system is so complicated, but reading everyone's success stories gives me hope that I can figure this out. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this thread is more useful than anything on the official DOL website!

I'm new to this community but going through the exact same situation - just started my unemployment claim after a layoff from my content marketing role. This thread has been incredibly eye-opening and honestly a huge relief to find! A few quick questions for those who've been through this: 1. When you mention the 3 work search activities per week - do informational interviews count toward that requirement? I've been doing a lot of those to learn about adjacent fields. 2. For the Career Centers that were mentioned - do you need an appointment or can you just walk in? I'm in the Rochester area if anyone has specific experience there. 3. I keep seeing conflicting info online about whether volunteer work affects benefits. Has anyone done volunteer marketing work while collecting unemployment? Thank you all for sharing such detailed experiences - reading about everyone's strategies and timelines is helping me feel much more prepared and less alone in this process. It's clear this community really looks out for each other!

Just want to echo what everyone else has said about this being such an incredibly helpful thread! I'm on week 12 of unemployment after being laid off from my digital marketing role, and honestly, I was starting to panic about the 26-week limit until I found this discussion. The advice about starting backup plans around week 20 is so smart - I'm definitely going to start researching SNAP and other assistance programs now rather than waiting. And I love the suggestion about temp-to-perm positions with marketing agencies. I've been so focused on permanent roles that I hadn't really considered that route, but it makes total sense for building experience and potentially leading to something permanent. One thing I wanted to add that's been working for me: I've been attending virtual marketing webinars (many are free through HubSpot, Mailchimp, etc.) and not only are they great for staying current with industry trends, but I've actually made some valuable connections through the chat features and follow-up networking. A couple of people have even offered to review my portfolio or make introductions to their networks. Also, for anyone struggling with the phone system at DOL - that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier is legit. I used it last week to get clarification on reporting freelance work and it saved me hours of frustration. Thanks to everyone who's shared their experiences and advice here. It's making this whole process feel much more manageable knowing there's a community of people who understand exactly what we're going through!

I'm so glad I found this thread because I'm in a really similar situation right now! Reading everyone's experiences has been incredibly reassuring. I was terminated two weeks ago and my employer is claiming misconduct, but honestly it feels more like they were looking for a reason to let me go. The incident they're citing was pretty minor and I feel like they're blowing it out of proportion. I've been hesitating to file because I was worried that having "misconduct" on my termination would automatically disqualify me, but it sounds like the NYS DOL actually does a real investigation and doesn't just take the employer's word for it. I'm definitely going to file my claim this week. Has anyone here had experience with how long you typically have to wait for that initial adjudication interview after you file? I'm trying to plan my finances around the timeline.

I just went through this exact situation about two months ago! Got fired for what my employer called "misconduct" but it was really just a misunderstanding about a procedure I wasn't properly trained on. I was terrified to file because I thought the misconduct label would automatically disqualify me, but reading online forums like this one convinced me to apply anyway. Best decision I made! The NYS DOL adjudicator was really fair and asked me detailed questions about my training, the specific incident, and my overall work performance. I was able to explain that I was never given clear guidance on the procedure and was doing my best with limited information. Got approved after about 4 weeks. The key is being honest and providing your perspective - don't let your employer's version be the only story they hear. File immediately if you haven't already, and remember that "misconduct" in unemployment law has a very specific definition that's much higher than just making a mistake or having a disagreement at work. You've got this!

I'm going through the exact same thing right now - my 26 weeks just ended last month and it's been really stressful trying to figure out what comes next. The NYS Department of Labor website could definitely be clearer about this stuff upfront. I had no idea it was just 26 weeks until I got that notification. What's been helping me is reaching out to multiple resources at once rather than waiting for one thing to work out. I applied for SNAP benefits immediately, contacted my local 211 for emergency assistance programs, and signed up with the American Job Center like others mentioned. The job search requirements during those 26 weeks actually helped me build a routine, so I'm trying to keep that same energy even without the weekly payments. It's tough out there but we've got to keep pushing. Have you looked into any temporary or gig work to help bridge the gap while you're searching for something permanent?

This is exactly what happened to me too Connor. The 26-week limit caught me completely off guard - I kept thinking there would be some kind of extension or that I was missing something. NYS Department of Labor really should make this clearer when you first file your claim. What helped me was immediately getting on mybenefits.ny.gov to apply for SNAP and other assistance the day my UI ended. Also check with your local social services office about emergency programs - some counties have short-term cash assistance or utility help that can bridge the gap. The American Job Centers that others mentioned are legit too - mine had workshops on interviewing and even some temp-to-hire opportunities I wouldn't have found elsewhere. It sucks that we have to piece together all these different programs, but don't feel bad about using every resource available. You paid into these systems and they're there for exactly this situation. Keep your head up and keep applying - something will come through!