The NYS Department of Labor system is such a nightmare. I swear they make it as difficult as possible on purpose. Good luck OP, you're gonna need it dealing with their bureaucracy.

I went through something similar about 6 months ago when I had to quit due to a toxic manager. The key thing is to file your claim right away - don't wait any longer! When you file online, there's a section where you can explain why you left your job. Be detailed about the hostile work environment and mention that you have documentation. NYS DOL will schedule a phone interview to go over your case, and that's when you'll present your evidence (those text messages and HR complaint). Even if it takes a few weeks to get a decision, you'll still get backdated benefits to when you first filed if they approve you. The worst thing you can do is wait longer - every day you delay is a day you could potentially lose benefits.

Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful! I'm in a similar boat - just got let go from my part-time position at a coffee shop after 10 months for what they called "scheduling conflicts." I was working 22 hours a week while also doing freelance graphic design work, and sometimes my freelance deadlines would run over into my coffee shop shifts. Management said I was "unreliable" but I only had issues maybe 4-5 times total and always tried to give advance notice when possible. Based on everyone's advice here, it sounds like juggling multiple income sources actually shows work ethic rather than being a negative. I'm definitely going to apply online at labor.ny.gov today and document all my communications with my manager about the scheduling conflicts. It's encouraging to see so many people successfully navigate this process, even with initial denials. The wage requirements shouldn't be an issue since I was making $17/hour for almost a year. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this community has made what seemed like an impossible situation feel much more manageable!

This thread has been incredibly eye-opening! I'm currently dealing with a similar situation - just got terminated from my part-time job at a local grocery store after 9 months. They cited "performance issues" but honestly I think it was because I couldn't always stay late when they were short-staffed due to my evening classes at the community college. I was working about 20 hours a week at $15/hour while pursuing my associate's degree. Reading everyone's experiences here has completely changed my perspective on applying for unemployment benefits. I had no idea that part-time workers could qualify or that juggling work and school/multiple jobs could actually work in your favor rather than against you. The advice about documenting everything, being honest in the application, and not letting fear of denial stop you from trying really resonates with me. I'm definitely going to gather all my employment records and apply online at labor.ny.gov this week. It's amazing how supportive this community is - thank you all for sharing your stories and making this intimidating process feel much more manageable!

have u checked indeed? saw bunch of summer camp jobs posted last week

Also check with your local library systems - many are hiring summer reading program assistants right now! Libraries love hiring people with educational backgrounds. Pay isn't amazing but it's something to tide you over until September. Also try reaching out to your union rep if you have one - sometimes they know about temporary positions or can connect you with other districts that need summer help.

The NYS Department of Labor job search requirement is such a hassle! I understand why they need it but having to track everything when you're already stressed about being unemployed is frustrating. At least they don't make you submit it every week like some states do.

I've been using a simple Google Doc to track my job search activities and it works great! I set up columns for date, company name, position, contact method, and any follow-up actions needed. Since it's in the cloud I can access it from anywhere and it's easy to search if I need to find something specific. The key is being consistent about logging everything right after you do it - don't wait until the end of the week or you'll forget details.

wait so do i need to list both employers when i file or just the one that cut my hours??

Just wanted to add some practical advice - when you file your weekly claims, keep detailed records of your hours and earnings from both jobs. I use a simple spreadsheet to track everything week by week. Also, if your delivery job pays through apps like DoorDash or Uber, make sure you're tracking those 1099 earnings carefully since they don't withhold taxes. The NYS Department of Labor will want accurate gross earnings reported, and having good records will save you headaches if they ever audit your claim.