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being in school full time can also disqualify you unless you meet certain exceptions. NYS Department of Labor wants to see that you're available for full time work
Another important disqualifier to be aware of is if you're receiving certain types of pension or retirement income - NYS Department of Labor will reduce or deny benefits depending on how much you're getting and whether your employer contributed to it. Also, if you're not a US citizen or don't have work authorization, that can disqualify you even if you were working legally before. The key thing is to be completely honest on your application because any false information is considered fraud and will definitely disqualify you.
honestly the whole system is designed to trip you up and deny claims. they'll find any excuse to say no. even if you qualify they'll put you through adjudication hell for months. just be prepared for a fight
File your claim as soon as possible even if you're not sure about eligibility. It's better to apply and get denied than to wait and miss out on benefits you're entitled to. The worst they can say is no, but if you don't apply you definitely won't get anything.
@Diego Fisher is absolutely right about filing ASAP. I was in a similar situation last year - worried about old issues affecting my claim but my lawyer friend told me the same thing. The application deadline is strict but you can always appeal a denial. Plus filing starts your claim date even if there are delays with severance or other issues. Don t'let fear of rejection stop you from trying.
That's fantastic news! So glad you got it resolved. This thread is going to be super helpful for others dealing with the same issue. The "waiting week suspension flag" explanation really cleared things up for everyone. Thanks for updating us - it's always great to hear when these problems actually get fixed!
This is such a relief to read! I've been following this thread because I'm dealing with a similar situation - my claim has been stuck for 3 weeks now. Seeing that there's actually a specific name for this issue ("waiting week suspension flag") and that it can be resolved gives me hope. I'm definitely going to try the Claimyr service and use the exact terminology when I call. Thanks for sharing your success story!
Amazing outcome! This whole thread is like a masterclass in navigating NY unemployment issues. The fact that @Morgan Washington provided such detailed insider knowledge about the "waiting week suspension flag" was incredibly valuable. And @Anna Stewart's Claimyr recommendation seems to be a game-changer for actually getting through to agents. It's frustrating that this kind of technical glitch is so common, but at least now we know exactly what to ask for when calling. Definitely bookmarking this thread for future reference - this should be required reading for anyone dealing with NY unemployment claims!
Absolutely agree! This thread should definitely be saved as a reference. I'm new to this community but dealing with unemployment issues myself, and seeing how everyone came together to help @Gavin King figure this out is amazing. The step-by-step guidance from @Morgan Washington was incredibly detailed - having someone who actually works in the system explain the technical side made all the difference. And the Claimyr tip from @Anna Stewart seems like such a lifesaver for getting past those endless busy signals. It s sad that'navigating unemployment benefits requires this much detective work, but threads like this really show the power of community knowledge sharing!
The whole system is a mess honestly. I've been unemployed for 2 months and still dealing with adjudication issues. Even when the system is 'open' half the time it doesn't work properly.
I've been dealing with the same frustration! One tip that helped me - if you're getting errors during the Sunday morning maintenance window (2-6 AM), try using the mobile app instead of the website. Sometimes one works when the other doesn't. Also, make sure you're using the correct login credentials - I had issues because I was mixing up my NY.gov account with my old unemployment login. The system can be really picky about browser settings too, so try clearing your cache or using incognito mode if you keep hitting walls.
Charity Cohan
I went through this exact situation last year - my benefits ran out after 26 weeks and I was panicking. Here's what I learned: NY doesn't have any extensions right now, so once you hit 26 weeks, that's it unless you qualify for a new claim (which requires working again and earning 10x your weekly benefit rate). What saved me was applying for multiple assistance programs BEFORE my benefits ended. I got approved for SNAP, emergency rental assistance, and utility help through HEAP. Also look into the 599 Training Program that someone mentioned - it's legit and could extend benefits while she retrains. For the job search, tell her to cast a wider net. I ended up finding work through networking on LinkedIn rather than job boards. Marketing skills translate well to account management, customer success, and business development roles. The temp agencies suggestion is solid too - I got my current permanent job through a temp placement. Don't give up hope - the market is tough but there are options to bridge the gap!
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Isabel Vega
•This is super helpful, thank you! I'm definitely going to tell my cousin to apply for those assistance programs right away. The 599 Training Program sounds like it could be a game changer if she qualifies. Did you find the application process for SNAP and rental assistance pretty straightforward, or was it a nightmare like dealing with unemployment?
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Ryan Young
•The SNAP application was actually way easier than dealing with unemployment - you can do it online and they were pretty responsive. Rental assistance took longer (like 3-4 weeks) but once approved it covered 3 months of back rent. HEAP for utilities was the fastest, got approved in about a week. Definitely apply for all of them ASAP because there's usually a waiting period. The key is to have all your documentation ready - pay stubs, bank statements, lease agreement, etc.
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Connor Murphy
Just wanted to add another resource that helped me when I was in a similar situation - the American Job Centers (One-Stop Career Centers) in NY offer free services that a lot of people don't know about. They have career counselors who can help with resume writing, interview prep, and they sometimes have job fairs with local employers. Some locations also offer short-term training programs that might help your cousin pivot into adjacent fields while she's job hunting. You can find locations on careeronestop.org. The staff there are usually pretty knowledgeable about local assistance programs too, so they might be able to point her toward resources others haven't mentioned yet.
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