Check your email too sometimes they send updates there instead of the website messages. Also call your local career center they might have more info about appeal timelines in your area.

I feel for you - the waiting is brutal when you're running low on funds. One thing that helped me was calling the Appeals Bureau directly at (518) 402-0205 rather than the main unemployment line. They're usually less busy and can at least confirm they received your appeal and give you a rough timeline. Also, if you haven't already, make sure you're continuing to certify for benefits each week even while your appeal is pending - if you win, you'll get backpay for those weeks. Hang in there, 6 weeks is still within the normal timeframe even though it feels like forever.

Just file already! You're entitled to benefits if you lost your job through no fault of your own. Don't let fear of what your employer might say stop you from getting the money you're owed. The worst thing that happens is they contest it and you have to go through an appeal process.

I went through something similar last year. Yes, they do contact employers, but here's what I learned - document everything NOW before you file. Screenshot any text messages, save emails, and write down dates/times of conversations with your boss. If your employer tries to give false information, having your own documentation makes a huge difference. The NYS DOL investigators are pretty thorough and they've seen every trick in the book from employers trying to avoid paying into the system. Don't let fear of retaliation stop you from filing - you earned those benefits through your work history. Just make sure you're prepared with your side of the story backed up by whatever proof you have.

I went through this same situation a few years ago. The "reasonable assurance" rule is frustrating but it's pretty ironclad for most teachers. One thing to consider though - if you're planning to work summer school or any other educational position during the break, make sure to document everything carefully. Sometimes the rules get murky when you're working for a different district or in a different capacity than your regular teaching position. Also, some teachers I know have looked into other summer work opportunities specifically because unemployment isn't an option. It's not ideal, but tutoring, camp counseling, or retail work can help bridge that income gap. The NYS Department of Labor website has a specific section about school employees that's worth reading through for all the details.

I'm a former NYS Department of Labor employee and can confirm what others have said about the reasonable assurance rule. It's codified in NY Labor Law Section 590.11 and is pretty strictly enforced for school employees. The key factor is whether you have a contract or written agreement to return to work in the fall. Even if your salary is spread over 12 months instead of 10, you're still considered to have reasonable assurance. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet - if you're a probationary teacher and there's genuine uncertainty about your job security for the next year, that could potentially affect your eligibility. But you'd need documentation showing the uncertainty isn't just routine evaluation but actual doubt about contract renewal. The burden of proof would be on you to show the assurance isn't "reasonable." For most tenured or continuing contract teachers though, summer unemployment just isn't going to happen under current NY law.

Just want to add - make sure you have all your pay stubs from that part-time work before you try to file. NYS Department of Labor will verify everything anyway but having the documentation ready makes the process smoother. Good luck!

I went through something similar a few years back. The key thing to understand is that each time you work and earn wages, it can potentially create a new "benefit year" for unemployment purposes. So even though you missed the deadline for your 2023 job loss, if you had any legitimate employment in 2024 (sounds like you did with that part-time summer work), you might be able to establish a new claim. The tricky part is meeting the minimum wage requirements - you'll need to calculate if those part-time earnings hit the thresholds others mentioned. I'd recommend trying to file online first through the NYS DOL website, as it will tell you pretty quickly if you have sufficient wage credits. Don't give up hope yet!

The NYS Department of Labor system is so confusing about this stuff!! I asked my caseworker about disability and they just said to 'look into it' but gave me no actual guidance. Meanwhile I'm struggling to meet the job search requirements because of my back problems.

Apply for SSDI immediately - don't wait. The application process is lengthy and you want to get your claim date established. You can continue UI while the disability application is pending, just be honest about your medical limitations when filing your weekly claims. If you're approved for disability retroactively, you may need to repay some unemployment benefits, but it's better than having no income at all.