To clarify the main points: You can travel while collecting unemployment as long as you remain able and available for work. For a short trip like a wedding, you don't need to notify NYS Department of Labor. Just be honest on your weekly certification about your availability. If you're only gone for 2-3 days and could have accepted work if offered, you should be fine to certify normally for that week.

I just wanted to add that I've been dealing with this same situation - I'm on unemployment and had to travel for a funeral last month. What I learned is that the key question on your weekly certification is whether you were "able and available for work" each day. If you're only gone for a weekend wedding and would have been able to accept a job offer if one came up, you can still answer "yes" to that question. The NYS Department of Labor cares more about your willingness and ability to work than your exact geographic location for short trips. Just don't try to claim benefits for days when you genuinely weren't available. Have a great time at your sister's wedding!

Just make sure you have all your employment info ready when you apply - employer names, addresses, dates of employment, reason for separation. The NYS Department of Labor online system times out pretty quickly so have everything organized before you start.

One thing to add that helped me when I applied - make sure you apply online through the NY.gov website and not through any third-party sites. I almost got tricked by a fake site that looked official. The real application is completely free and you shouldn't have to pay anyone to help you file. Also, keep records of everything - screenshot your confirmation page after submitting and save any correspondence from NYS Department of Labor. Good luck Miguel, hope your claim goes through smoothly!

just want to say good luck with this - the whole UI system is such a mess right now. took me 6 weeks to get through adjudication for something completely unrelated

I went through something very similar with my consulting LLC. The main thing is being completely transparent - since you disclosed it upfront, you're already on the right track. Just make sure you answer "no" to any questions about self-employment work for the weeks you're truly inactive, and always report zero income from the LLC on your weekly claims. Keep your LLC bank statements and any records showing no activity during your unemployment period, just in case they request documentation later. The fact that you're being proactive about this puts you in a much better position than people who try to hide business ownership.

I'm really sorry to hear about your company closing down after 15 years - that's such devastating news for you and all your coworkers. You absolutely qualify for unemployment benefits since this is a clear case of involuntary separation due to business closure, not any performance issues on your part. I went through a similar situation when my previous employer shut down operations unexpectedly, and while it's overwhelming at first, the process is actually quite manageable if you stay organized. Here's what I'd recommend: start gathering your documentation NOW while you still have access to everything. Get copies of recent pay stubs, any official closure announcements, your supervisor's contact info, and save screenshots of company emails about the shutdown. You can file your claim online at my.ny.gov starting the week you actually become unemployed (not before). One thing that really helped speed up my approval was asking HR for a brief letter on company letterhead confirming the closure date and that all employees were laid off due to business closure - this eliminates any questions about the separation reason. Also, if your company mentions severance pay, make sure to report that when filing as it might affect your benefit start date. Business closures are typically the most straightforward unemployment cases since there's no dispute about why you're filing. You're smart to start preparing early - that preparation will make everything go much smoother. Hang in there during this difficult transition!

I'm so sorry to hear about your company closing after 15 years - that's incredibly difficult news to process. You absolutely qualify for unemployment benefits since this is a business closure, which counts as involuntary separation through no fault of your own. Based on what others have shared, here's what I'd prioritize: First, start collecting documentation immediately while you still have workplace access - recent pay stubs, any closure announcements, supervisor contact info, and screenshots of company communications about the shutdown. Second, ask HR for an official letter on company letterhead confirming the closure date and that layoffs are due to business closure (not performance) - this seems to really speed up approval based on everyone's experiences here. You can file online at my.ny.gov starting the week you actually stop working, not before. If there's any severance offered, make sure to report that as it could affect benefit timing. The good news is business closures are typically straightforward cases since there's no question about separation reason. It's overwhelming now, but you're being smart by preparing early. Having your paperwork organized will make the whole process much smoother. Stay strong during this transition - you've got this!

Heads up, there's been some changes to the ny unemployment system recently. Make sure you check their website for the latest info before you apply again.

I'm in a similar situation - just had my benefit year end last week and still unemployed. From what I've gathered here and from calling around, you definitely can reapply right away. The key thing is making sure you worked enough in the past year to qualify for a new claim. I'm planning to apply online this Monday morning like someone suggested. Has anyone had experience with how they calculate the new benefit amount? I'm worried it might be lower than what I was getting before.