my cousin went through this exact thing. had to wait until she got a new job and worked for a few months before she could file a new claim. it sucks but thats how the system works i guess

I went through this same situation about 6 months ago. You definitely need to have worked and earned new wages since your benefit year started to qualify for a new claim. The earnings requirement Isabella mentioned is correct - $2,600 in your highest quarter plus total wages of at least 1.5 times that amount. I'd recommend checking your online account or calling to see what wage credits you have on file. Even if you don't qualify for regular UI right now, you might be eligible for other programs like SNAP or emergency assistance while you continue job searching. Don't give up - the job market is tough but there are resources available to help bridge the gap.

UPDATE: Finally got through! The issue was that I had a "wage verification hold" on my account. Apparently my employer reported different quarterly wages than what I had stated on my application (difference of like $240 total). The supervisor was able to verify my income using my tax documents and release ALL my held payments! They're scheduled to deposit tomorrow. Such a relief. Thank you all for your help and suggestions - especially about asking for the specific hold code and requesting a claim summary. That immediately helped the supervisor identify the issue.

Congratulations on getting it resolved! This is such a helpful thread - I'm bookmarking it for future reference. It's crazy how a $240 discrepancy can hold up weeks of payments, but at least now we know to ask about wage verification holds specifically. Your persistence really paid off, and thanks for taking the time to update us with the solution!

Just went through this exact situation a couple months ago when my manufacturing plant shut down. You definitely don't need a termination letter - I filed my claim the same day I got laid off and only had verbal notice too. The NYS Department of Labor was actually pretty efficient about verifying everything with my former employer. One tip though: make sure you file as soon as possible since there's usually a waiting period before benefits start, and you can't get retroactive payments for weeks you didn't file. The online system walks you through everything step by step, and as long as you're honest about the layoff circumstances, you should be fine. Good luck!

Just to add another perspective - I was in a similar situation last month when my retail job ended due to "restructuring" (basically they eliminated my position). Like others said, you absolutely don't need a termination letter. The NYS DOL system is actually designed to handle situations where people get verbal notice or sudden layoffs. When I filed online, I just selected "laid off" as the reason and wrote a brief explanation in the comments section about the budget cuts. They processed my claim without any issues. The key is filing quickly and being completely honest about what happened. Don't stress about the lack of paperwork - it's more common than you think!

From what I understand, the key issue is the 'able and available' requirement for unemployment. If you're medically unable to work, you can't truthfully certify that you're able and available each week. I'd recommend contacting NYS Department of Labor directly to explain your medical situation and get official guidance before making any decisions about stopping or continuing your weekly claims.

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now and wanted to share what I learned from talking to a case worker. The timing of when you stop unemployment versus when you apply for disability matters a lot. You should stop certifying for unemployment benefits as soon as you know you're unable to work, not wait until disability is approved (which can take months). If there's any overlap period where you collected UI while unable to work, NYS Department of Labor can require you to pay it back even if it wasn't intentional. Also, make sure to keep documentation from your doctor about when your condition started affecting your ability to work - this helps establish the exact date you should have stopped claiming UI benefits.

I feel your pain @Liam Fitzgerald - the waiting week hit me hard too when I first filed. One thing that helped me was reaching out to local food banks and churches while waiting. Many have emergency assistance programs that can help with groceries or utility bills. Also check if your county has any emergency rental assistance programs. The waiting week is awful but there are resources out there to help bridge the gap until that first payment comes through. Hang in there! 💪

The waiting week is such a financial hardship when you're already struggling! @Liam Fitzgerald have you looked into your local 211 services? They can connect you with emergency assistance programs in your area for things like food, utilities, and sometimes even small cash assistance. Also, if you have any gig work options like DoorDash or Uber, you can still do that during your waiting week without it affecting your unemployment claim (just make sure to report the income when you certify). I know it's frustrating but try to hang in there - that first payment will come and you'll get through this rough patch! 🙏