The whole system is ridiculous if you ask me. 26 weeks isn't enough time to find a decent job in this economy, especially if you're trying to find something that actually pays a living wage instead of just taking the first minimum wage job that comes along!

Just wanted to add that if you exhaust your regular 26 weeks of unemployment benefits, you might be eligible for extended benefits during times of high unemployment, though this depends on economic conditions and federal programs that may be available. Also, make sure you're familiar with the online system at labor.ny.gov - it's much easier than trying to call. You can check your payment history, weekly claim status, and get most of your questions answered through their online portal. Good luck with your job search!

Just wanted to add that you should definitely file for unemployment benefits as soon as possible after your termination. NYS Department of Labor has a waiting period anyway, so there's no advantage to delaying. The key is maintaining your job search documentation since that's required for both your visa status and your weekly claim certifications.

I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago when my company had layoffs. The most important thing to understand is that the 60-day grace period and unemployment benefits are completely separate matters. I filed for NYS Department of Labor benefits immediately after my termination and it had zero impact on my H1B status. In fact, the unemployment benefits were crucial for covering my rent and expenses while I was job hunting. Just make sure you keep detailed records of your job search activities - both for the weekly unemployment certifications and to show you're actively seeking new employment within your grace period. I found a new position on day 52, so cutting it close but it worked out. Don't let fear of immigration issues prevent you from getting the financial support you're entitled to.

I've been on unemployment for about 6 months and holidays definitely affect timing. From my experience, if there's a federal holiday during the week, payments usually get delayed by one business day. So if you normally get paid on Tuesday, it would come Wednesday instead. The important thing is that you certified on time (which you did on Sunday), so your payment is in the queue - it's just the bank processing that gets delayed. I'd suggest setting up text alerts if you haven't already, and maybe keep a small buffer for rent timing in the future since holiday delays are pretty predictable. Your money will come through, just maybe a day or two later than usual.

I've been through this exact situation multiple times and I completely understand the stress! From my experience with NYS unemployment, holiday delays are pretty common but predictable. Since you certified on Sunday as usual, your claim is processed - it's just the payment release that might be delayed. I usually see delays of 1-2 business days during holiday weeks, with direct deposit typically being faster than the debit card option. The frustrating part is that NYS DOL doesn't always communicate these delays clearly upfront. For future reference, I've learned to expect delays around major holidays like Memorial Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas/New Year's. Try checking your account Wednesday morning if you don't see it Tuesday - that's when mine usually shows up during holiday weeks. Hang in there!

yeah you can get it but good luck actually getting through to them to file or fix any issues lol

I went through something similar a few months ago. Got terminated for "performance issues" but really it was just a bad manager who had it out for me. NYS Department of Labor approved my claim after about 3 weeks. The key thing is to be completely honest about what happened when you file - don't try to sugarcoat it or make excuses. If your employer challenges it, you'll get a phone hearing where you can explain your side. The fact that you have documentation about your car troubles and no written warnings definitely helps your case. File today if you haven't already - the sooner you file, the sooner your benefits can start even if there are delays.

UGH the whole NYS Department of Labor system is a nightmare! They use the most confusing language possible. 'Not ineligible' sounds like they're trying to confuse people on purpose. Why can't they just say 'APPROVED' like normal people??

I went through this exact same confusion when I first filed! "Not ineligible" is definitely their weird way of saying you're approved - it's like they couldn't just use clear language. The payment delay is pretty normal for new claims though. I'd suggest calling the dedicated payment inquiry line (518-457-9000) early in the morning around 8 AM - that's when I had the best luck getting through. Also make sure your direct deposit info is correct in your account, sometimes that can cause delays too.