Pro tip: if u do get someone on the phone, be SUPER nice to them no matter how frustrated u are. these agents deal with angry people all day. when i finally got thru the lady was so relieved i wasnt yelling that she went above and beyond to help fix my issue.

I went through this exact same nightmare last year - stuck in "pending" hell for almost 2 months after getting laid off from my retail job. What finally worked for me was a combination approach: I used the early morning calling strategy (7:58am sharp on Tuesdays/Wednesdays) AND contacted my assemblyperson's office as backup. The assemblyperson route took about a week but their unemployment liaison actually called me directly and got everything sorted. Also want to echo what others said about being super polite to the agents - they really do try to help when you're not screaming at them. Hang in there, I know it feels hopeless but you WILL get through this!

Just wanted to add that when you file for partial unemployment, make sure you understand how the earnings deduction works. In NY, they use a formula where they subtract 25% of your weekly earnings from your benefit amount. So if your weekly benefit is $200 and you earn $100 that week, you'd get $175 in unemployment ($200 - 25% of $100). This is different from some other states that have a straight dollar-for-dollar reduction. Also, keep detailed records of all your hours and pay stubs - you'll need them for your weekly certifications and potentially for any audits later.

This thread has been so helpful! I'm in a similar situation where my hours at a retail store got cut from 32 to about 15 hours per week. Reading about the 25% earnings deduction formula really clarifies things - I was worried that working any hours would completely cancel out unemployment benefits. It sounds like it's definitely worth applying since I'm working less than 4 days now. One question though - if my schedule is inconsistent week to week (sometimes 12 hours, sometimes 20), do I just report whatever I actually earned that specific week when I file my weekly claim? And does anyone know if there's a minimum number of hours you need to have worked before the reduction to qualify for partial benefits?

I just want to echo what others have said about 211 - they're amazing for connecting you with local resources quickly. When I was between jobs last year, they helped me find emergency rental assistance through a local nonprofit that covered 2 months of rent while I got back on my feet. The application was surprisingly simple and they processed it within a week. Also, regarding gig work - most apps don't report your earnings in real-time to government agencies. They'll send you a 1099 at the end of the year, but for SNAP and other assistance programs, you're usually required to report changes in income yourself. Just be honest about what you're earning when you apply - they understand people need to do whatever they can to survive. One more tip: check if your local library has job search resources. Mine offers free resume reviews, computer access, and even interview prep sessions. Some also have "job clubs" where people in similar situations meet weekly to share leads and support each other. It might sound cheesy, but the networking actually helps, and it's nice to be around people who understand what you're going through.

Just wanted to add another resource that might help with immediate needs - check if your area has any mutual aid groups on Facebook or other social platforms. These are community-organized groups where people help each other out with things like groceries, rent assistance, or even job leads. I've seen people get genuine help within 24-48 hours through these groups when traditional assistance takes longer to process. Also, if you have any valuable items you could sell quickly (electronics, furniture, etc.), Facebook Marketplace and OfferUp can be good for getting cash fast. I know it's not ideal to sell your stuff, but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do to make rent. One last thing - some utility companies have hardship programs that can defer payments or reduce bills if you explain your situation. ConEd has one for NYC, and other utility companies usually have similar programs. Every little bit helps when you're stretched thin. You've got this, Luis! 💪

Just make sure you're honest about everything when you file your weekly claims. They audit people all the time and if they find out you weren't reporting business income correctly you could owe back all the benefits plus penalties.

I went through this exact situation about 8 months ago when I started doing freelance graphic design work. The key thing I learned is that you absolutely have to report ALL income from your business activities, even if it's just $20 here and there. NYS Department of Labor considers any work you do for pay as "employment" regardless of whether you're W2 or 1099. I kept detailed records of every client payment and reported it on my weekly certifications. As long as you're genuinely still job searching (and can prove it with applications), you should be okay. Just be prepared for your weekly benefit amount to fluctuate based on what you earn from the business each week.

Anyone else notice that unemployment is literally IMPOSSIBLE to contact but they somehow manage to find you within seconds if they think you owe them money? 🤡

Thank you SO much for sharing this! I've been stuck in pending status for 6 weeks now and was starting to lose hope. I had no idea contacting state representatives was even an option. Just looked up my assemblyperson and state senator - planning to reach out to both offices first thing Monday morning. It's crazy that we have to jump through all these hoops just to get the benefits we're entitled to, but I'm grateful there's actually a way that works. Fingers crossed I get the same results you did!