I appreciate everyone's explanations but this whole conversation is kind of wild. We've designed an economic system that requires people to be unemployed and struggling, and then we make the process of getting help as difficult as possible through agencies like NYS Department of Labor. Something feels fundamentally broken about that.

Coming from someone who's been through the NYS Department of Labor system twice in the past three years, I think there's also a practical angle here that doesn't get discussed enough. The economists' "natural rate" theory assumes that unemployment systems actually work efficiently to help people transition between jobs. But when you're stuck waiting 8 weeks for a determination, or spending entire days trying to reach someone by phone, that "frictional unemployment" becomes a lot more friction than it should be. Maybe the real problem isn't that we need 3-5% unemployment, but that we need unemployment systems that actually facilitate quick, smooth transitions instead of creating additional barriers. The theory works better when the safety net actually functions.

Wait so if you're disqualified you can still get benefits later if you win an appeal? I thought disqualification meant you were permanently banned from unemployment

The whole system is ridiculous. They disqualify people for the stupidest reasons and then make you jump through hoops to prove you deserve benefits you already paid into through your taxes. I got disqualified because they said I didn't look for work properly even though I submitted my job search log every week like they required.

No, there's an important legal distinction. Misconduct requires willful or intentional wrongdoing. Poor performance due to lack of skill, experience, or ability is different from deliberately violating workplace rules. NYS Department of Labor looks at whether you were acting in good faith and trying to do your job properly.

I was in a similar situation about 6 months ago - got let go for not meeting productivity metrics despite really trying my best. The whole process was nerve-wracking but I did end up getting approved for benefits. One thing that really helped was that I had kept copies of emails where I asked my supervisor for additional training and feedback on how to improve. When NYS DOL contacted my former employer, they confirmed that I wasn't being defiant or refusing to work - just struggling with the role requirements. The adjudication took about 2-3 weeks but it was worth the wait. Make sure you file immediately after termination and be completely honest about everything when you fill out the application.

I think as long as you're honest about the hours and pay when you certify each week, you should be fine. The main thing is just don't try to hide any work because they will find out eventually.

I've been in a similar situation and can confirm what others have said - you're absolutely doing the right thing by reporting your work hours and earnings! The NYS DOL actually expects people to work part-time while collecting benefits, it's totally normal. From my experience, they typically reduce your weekly benefit by about 25% of what you earn (up to your benefit amount), so you'll still get some unemployment money as long as you're not earning too much. The most important thing is to be accurate with your reporting - write down your hours and gross pay each week so you have records. I keep a little notebook with all my work details just in case. Don't stress too much about it, the system is designed to handle part-time work!

This is exactly why I always recommend people try to do at least some part-time work during their unemployment claim if possible! Even if it's just a few hours a week, it can really save you in situations like this. I learned this the hard way during my first unemployment claim - I thought any work would mess up my benefits, but actually working part-time while collecting can set you up for a second claim if you need it. For anyone reading this who's still early in their claim period, consider picking up some gig work or part-time hours if you can find them. It might seem counterintuitive, but it gives you options later on.

This is such valuable information for everyone in this community! I'm a newcomer here but have been dealing with unemployment issues in NY for months. Reading through this thread really opened my eyes to options I didn't know existed. I had no idea you could potentially file a new claim based on part-time work earnings during your benefit year - that's not explained clearly anywhere on the NYSDOL website. For others who might be in similar situations, it sounds like the key takeaways are: 1) Check your benefit year end date first, 2) If you worked part-time during your claim and earned enough across multiple quarters, you might qualify for a special override, and 3) You'll likely need to speak to an actual agent since the online system can't handle these cases. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this kind of real-world knowledge is exactly what we need more of in these government services communities!