I went through something very similar when my company was acquired in 2023. After 12 years there, they offered me a position with 25% less pay and called it "market realignment." I was terrified about whether I'd qualify for unemployment if I turned it down. What really helped me was documenting EVERYTHING from the moment we heard about the acquisition. I kept emails, meeting notes, even wrote down conversations with my supervisor about the changes coming. When I eventually had to apply for benefits after rejecting their offer, having all that documentation made a huge difference. The key thing I learned is that NY treats these buyout situations case-by-case, but if you can show the new offer was substantially worse than your previous position (not just salary but total compensation package), you have a good chance of getting approved. It took about 6 weeks for my claim to be fully processed, but I did get approved. Your relative should start gathering their current pay stubs, benefits information, and any communications about the buyout right now, even if it's still just rumors. Being prepared ahead of time will make things so much smoother if they do end up needing to file a claim.

Just wanted to add one more thing that might be helpful - if your relative does end up in this situation, they should also check if their company has any kind of retention bonus or severance package they might be entitled to. Sometimes during acquisitions, companies will offer these to long-term employees even if they're not legally required to. Also, I'd suggest they start networking and updating their resume now, just in case. With 25 years of experience, they're probably very valuable in their field, and having other options lined up can give them more confidence to reject a lowball offer if it comes to that. The unemployment benefits are definitely there as a safety net, but having multiple backup plans is always the best approach. Hopefully the new owners will recognize the value of experienced employees and not make drastic cuts!

I'm going through the exact same nightmare right now - filed 3 weeks ago and my claim has been stuck on "pending" with zero explanation. The phone system is absolutely useless, I've burned through entire days trying to get through just to be disconnected. What's really frustrating is that they expect us to keep filing weekly certifications when we have no idea if there's even a problem with our claim or if it's just sitting in some digital pile waiting to be processed. At this point I'm wondering if I should try that Claimyr service mentioned above or contact my assemblyperson like Dmitry suggested. This whole system feels designed to discourage people from actually getting the benefits they're entitled to.

I went through this exact same situation last year and it turned out my claim was flagged for identity verification. Even though I had submitted all the required documents when I first filed, the system somehow didn't process them correctly. What finally worked for me was sending a secure message through the my.ny.gov portal with copies of my ID, Social Security card, and proof of employment attached. Make sure to reference your confirmation number in the subject line. It took about 10 days after sending that message for my claim to get approved, and then I received all the back payments. Also, if you haven't already, double-check that your banking information is correct in your profile - sometimes payments get delayed because of incorrect routing numbers.

even if you can't get unemployment you should definitely apply for other assistance programs like food stamps or medicaid while you look for new work

I went through something similar when my long-term home care client passed away. Even though I was paid as a 1099, I filed for unemployment anyway because my work situation really looked more like an employee relationship - I had set hours, used their supplies, couldn't work for others during my shifts, etc. The NYS Department of Labor initially denied my claim, but I appealed and provided documentation showing how controlled my work environment was. It took about 6 weeks, but they eventually approved it after reviewing the employment relationship more closely. Don't assume you're automatically disqualified - if your work arrangement had employee-like characteristics, it's worth filing and letting them make the determination.

Don't forget about the additional assessments! There's also a 0.075% assessment for the disability benefits fund that gets added on top of your UI rate. So if you're at 4.1% for UI, you're actually paying 4.175% total on that wage base.

Thanks everyone for the helpful info! As someone who's been through this process, I'd recommend also checking if you qualify for any of the new employer incentives NYS offers. Sometimes they have programs that can reduce your initial rate or provide credits. Also, make sure you register with NYS Department of Labor as soon as you hire your first employee - there are penalties for late registration. The online system for quarterly reporting isn't too bad once you get used to it, but definitely keep detailed records of all wages and hours from day one.

I'm in a similar situation working at a resort in the Catskills. One thing I learned is that you can actually call the NYS Department of Labor's Seasonal Worker hotline (518-457-2827) - it's separate from the main UI line and has shorter wait times. They specifically handle questions about seasonal employment and reasonable assurance. Also, for the job search requirement, I've found that applying to year-round positions at ski resorts (like maintenance or administrative roles) counts toward your search activities and shows you're genuinely looking for work during the off-season.

As someone who's worked seasonal jobs for several years, I can share what I've learned about the NYS system. The written reasonable assurance is absolutely crucial - if your employer hasn't given you anything in writing about being rehired, you should be eligible for benefits. Regarding job searches, I know it feels pointless during summer for ski work, but I've found success applying to outdoor recreation companies, summer camps, and even retail positions that show I'm genuinely available for work. The key is documenting everything properly - keep screenshots of your applications and make notes about each job you apply for. Also, don't forget that you need to certify weekly that you're able and available to work, which means you can't just disappear for a month-long vacation. The system may seem frustrating, but it does work if you follow the rules correctly.