ugh the whole system is still a mess from covid honestly. they act like everything is back to normal but clearly its not if people are still waiting weeks for simple claim reviews

I was actually working for the state during that period and can confirm those numbers - April 2020 was absolutely chaotic. We went from processing maybe 50,000 claims per week to over 300,000 in a single week. The system literally couldn't handle it and we had to bring in temporary staff and work around the clock just to keep things from completely falling apart. A lot of the verification steps that are causing delays now were implemented because we had massive fraud issues during the emergency period when we had to fast-track everything.

Just remember you have to meet the work requirements each time - I think it's something like 2 quarters of work with minimum earnings. Don't quote me on the exact numbers though.

You're absolutely right to question your friend's advice! There's definitely no "once per year" limit on filing unemployment claims with NYS DOL. The main requirements are having enough qualifying wages and work history in your base period for each new claim. Since you worked between your unemployment periods, you should be eligible to file again. Just make sure to gather all your employment documentation from your most recent job before you apply. The process can be tedious but you have every right to file multiple claims if you meet the eligibility requirements each time.

I was in a similar situation a few months ago and ended up missing my interview despite trying everything to reschedule. Here's what I learned: if you absolutely can't reach them before Tuesday, call immediately AFTER you miss the interview to explain what happened. I called within an hour of my missed appointment and was able to get it rescheduled for the following week. The rep told me that calling right after shows good faith effort and they're more likely to work with you. Also, if you're collecting partial benefits while working part-time, make sure to emphasize that the training is mandatory for your current employment - they understand work obligations better than personal conflicts. Keep trying those early morning calls though, 8am sharp seems to be the sweet spot!

I've been through this exact scenario twice with NYS DOL. First time I panicked and just missed it - big mistake, they denied my claim. Second time I was smarter about it. Here's what worked: I called the main line at 7:58am and kept hitting redial until I got through (took about 20 minutes but worth it). When I explained I had mandatory work training, they were actually pretty understanding since I'm on partial benefits. They rescheduled me for the next day at 10am. The key things that helped: 1) I called BEFORE the interview, not after 2) I had my training documentation ready 3) I explained I was actively working part-time (they seem more flexible when you're working). If you truly can't get through, send an email to the address on your interview notice AND call immediately after the missed appointment. Don't give up - I know people who've gotten rescheduled even after missing their first interview if they can prove work conflict.

I'm in a similar situation - just started collecting UI last month and considering doing some gig work to supplement. Reading through these responses is really helpful! One question I have is about tracking expenses - if I'm doing DoorDash and spending money on gas, can I deduct those expenses from what I report to NYS DOL, or do I need to report the full gross amount before any expenses? I want to make sure I'm doing this correctly from day one.

Another important thing to keep in mind - when you're doing DoorDash or any gig work while on UI, make sure you're setting aside money for taxes! Since you're getting 1099 income, there won't be any taxes withheld, so you might owe at tax time. I usually put about 25-30% of my gig earnings in a separate account to cover self-employment taxes. Also, keep detailed records of all your deliveries, mileage, and expenses - it'll make tax season much easier and help you maximize your deductions when you file.

To answer your original question more completely - after you apply, expect to receive several pieces of mail from NYS Department of Labor. First will be your monetary determination showing your benefit amount, then instructions for filing weekly claims, and possibly requests for additional documentation depending on your situation. The key is to respond to everything promptly and keep filing those weekly claims even if your first payment is delayed. Most people get their first payment within 2-3 weeks if there are no complications with their claim.

Just went through this process myself a few months ago and wanted to add a couple things that helped me. First, create your NY.gov account BEFORE you need it - the system can be slow and you don't want to deal with account setup when you're stressed about filing. Second, keep screenshots of everything you submit because the system occasionally glitches and loses information. Also, if you're worried about the job search requirement, LinkedIn Easy Apply jobs count toward your three weekly contacts, which makes it much easier to hit that number. The whole process is definitely overwhelming at first but once you get into the routine of filing weekly claims it becomes pretty straightforward.