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ugh the whole system is so confusing!! why cant they just make it simple for people who are already going through hard times
@Dylan Evans, I went through something similar when I moved from NY to Florida to help with my elderly father. A few key things that helped me: 1) Get a letter from your mom's doctor detailing her condition and need for care - this was crucial for proving "good cause" 2) Keep records of any communication with your employer about remote work options (emails, etc.) to show you tried to keep the job 3) File your claim ASAP even while gathering documents - you can submit additional proof during adjudication. The process was stressful but NYS Department of Labor did approve my case once I provided the medical documentation. Hang in there!
Just to add some perspective - even after your employer responds, NYS Department of Labor can take additional time to review everything and make their decision. In straightforward layoff cases like yours it's usually approved quickly, but they still have to go through their process. Hang in there!
I went through this same process about 6 months ago when I was laid off from my tech job. My employer actually responded within 3 days, but then it took NYS Department of Labor another 10 days to process everything and update my claim status. The whole thing felt like it took forever when you're stressed about money. One thing that helped me was setting up direct deposit ahead of time through the my.ny.gov portal so when the payment was finally approved, it came through faster. Also, if you were laid off due to downsizing like you mentioned, that's typically a pretty straightforward approval once they get through the paperwork. Try not to stress too much - you should be good!
Thanks Dylan, that's really helpful to hear from someone who went through the same thing! I hadn't thought about setting up direct deposit yet - definitely going to do that today. It's reassuring to know that even when employers respond quickly, there's still additional processing time on NYS Department of Labor's end. At least now I have a better idea of the timeline and know that 3-4 weeks total isn't unusual for this whole process.
I'm going through the same thing right now! It's so stressful trying to explain why I haven't worked in 6 months. Did anyone ask you specific questions about your job search activities? I'm worried they'll want to know exactly what I was doing every week.
I went through this exact situation after being laid off from a tech company. What worked for me was creating a narrative around "strategic career planning" - I explained that after the unexpected layoff, I took time to reassess my career goals and target companies that aligned with my values. I also kept a portfolio of the networking events I attended, informational interviews I conducted, and any freelance or volunteer work I did. When employers see you were intentional about your search rather than just desperate for any job, it actually becomes a positive. The 8-month timeline isn't unusual at all in today's market, especially for professional roles.
UPDATE: Great news! My friend just called me - all the backpay hit his account this morning! It took exactly 4 days after he got the letter. Everything was included from his application date (minus the waiting week like someone mentioned). Thanks again for all the help and reassurance!
This is such a helpful thread! I'm currently in week 5 of waiting after applying in July and haven't received any payments yet. Reading about everyone's experiences gives me hope that the backpay will eventually come through. I've been certifying every week and my payment history shows all weeks as "certified" so it sounds like I'm doing everything right. Just need to keep being patient I guess! Thanks for sharing your friend's story and especially for coming back with the update - it really helps to know the timeline once approval happens.
Paolo Longo
Also don't forget about the partial unemployment option if you find part time work. You can sometimes still collect benefits if your hours are reduced.
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Yara Khoury
•Good point! I hadn't thought about that possibility.
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Clarissa Flair
Just wanted to add that if you're in marketing like the original poster, you might also want to look into whether your company offered any severance or COBRA benefits that could help bridge the gap. Some marketing roles also qualify for freelance/contract work that could supplement partial unemployment benefits. Also, consider using this time to update your portfolio and maybe get some certifications - LinkedIn Learning and Google have free courses that could make you more competitive when those 26 weeks are up. The key is treating job searching like a full-time job itself.
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