same thing happened to my cousin except she waited like 3 months to reapply thinking she had to wait and missed out on benefits she could have gotten. definitely dont wait!

I work for a local nonprofit that helps people navigate unemployment benefits, and I can confirm what others have said - you can absolutely reapply right away! Since you're only getting 10 hours/week now, you'll likely qualify for partial benefits. One tip: when you file your new claim online, have your pay stubs from the past 18 months ready because they'll need to verify your work history. Also, don't forget to report your part-time wages each week when you certify - as long as you're earning less than your weekly benefit amount plus $50, you can still get some unemployment money. The system is designed to help people in exactly your situation!

just file online its pretty straightforward, took me like 15 minutes when i reapplied in november

I went through this same process a few months ago after my benefits expired. The key thing is that you need to have earned enough wages in your new base period to qualify - they'll look at your earnings from about 15 months ago up to 3 months ago. Since you've been working part-time since September, you should have enough recent work history. Just be prepared that your weekly benefit amount might be different from your previous claim depending on how much you earned during that base period. The online application really is pretty quick once you have all your info ready.

same boat here, got let go last month and still trying to figure this out. the nys department of labor website makes my head spin with all the rules

I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago - also got laid off from my first "real" job and had no idea what I was doing with unemployment. The good news is that based on what you've shared, you should definitely qualify! You worked full-time for 8 months and made $45k, so you'll easily meet the wage requirements. The fact that you were laid off (not fired for cause or quit) is the main thing that matters for eligibility. My advice: don't get too bogged down trying to understand every single rule on the NYS Department of Labor website before applying. Just start the online application - it walks you through everything step by step and is much clearer than their general information pages. You can always call or chat with them if you run into specific issues during the process. The hardest part is honestly just getting started!

The adjudication process for business owners is a nightmare! I've been waiting 3 weeks just to speak to someone at NYS Department of Labor about my eligibility. Every time I call the main number I get disconnected or put on hold for hours. Has anyone found a way to actually reach a real person there?

Just be honest on your application about being the business owner. NYS Department of Labor will find out anyway when they verify your employment history. The key is showing that the closure was due to economic necessity, not choice. Good luck!

Omar, I'm really sorry to hear about your mother's situation - caring for a stroke survivor is incredibly demanding and you made a compassionate choice. While unemployment benefits likely won't work out as others have explained, I wanted to add a few more resources to consider. First, contact your local Office for the Aging - they often have emergency caregiver relief funds and respite care programs that can provide both financial help and temporary caregivers so you can get some rest. Second, if your mother was working before her stroke, she might be eligible for Social Security Disability benefits, which could help with household expenses. Third, many hospitals have social workers who specialize in discharge planning and ongoing care coordination - even though your mom isn't currently hospitalized, they sometimes provide community resources and referrals for families dealing with stroke recovery. Also, the National Stroke Association has a helpline (1-800-STROKES) that connects families to local support groups and financial assistance programs. You're doing an incredible thing for your mother, and there are people and organizations who want to help support families like yours.

Omar, I'm so sorry about your mother's stroke - that's an incredibly difficult situation and you're doing something truly selfless. I've been reading through all the great advice here and wanted to add one more angle that might help. Since you worked at a hospital for 8 years, you might want to reach out to your former HR department about any employee assistance programs or alumni networks they have. Some hospitals maintain connections with former employees and may have resources or even part-time opportunities that could work with your caregiving schedule. Also, given your healthcare background, you might be uniquely positioned for some of the home health aide or private duty nursing positions that offer flexible scheduling - this could provide income while still allowing you to be your mother's primary caregiver. Many families are looking for experienced healthcare workers who can provide reliable care, and your hospital experience would be a huge asset. It's not the same as your previous job, but it could be a bridge while you work through some of these other programs everyone's mentioned. Wishing you and your mother strength during this challenging time.