Make sure you keep applying for jobs while your claim is processing too. Even if you end up getting approved, you'll need to show job search activity for your weekly claims. NYS Department of Labor requires work search contacts now.

I went through something very similar with a toxic manager situation. The key things that helped my case were: 1) Keep detailed records with dates/times of incidents, 2) Any written communications (emails, texts) showing the hostile behavior, 3) Witness statements from coworkers if possible. When you file, be very specific about how the work environment became intolerable - don't just say "hostile workplace" but explain the specific behaviors and how they affected your ability to work. Also document if you tried to resolve it through HR or management first. NYS DOL looks favorably on cases where you attempted to fix the situation before quitting. The emails and witness statements you mentioned should definitely help your case!

One more thing to check - if you worked in multiple states in the past 18 months or had any 1099 income, that can sometimes cause verification delays. Also if your employer is disputing the claim for any reason, that would explain why it's taking so long. The adjudication process for disputed claims can take 6-8 weeks easily.

I'm going through the exact same thing right now - filed in mid-December and still stuck in "under review" status with no explanation. It's incredibly frustrating when you've done everything they asked and still get radio silence. I've been documenting everything (screenshots, call logs, submission confirmations) just in case I need to escalate this later. Has anyone had luck reaching out to their local state representative's office? I've heard they sometimes have direct contacts at the Department of Labor who can actually look into specific cases.

Been there, it sucks but you'll be fine. Just make sure when you file weekly claims you're actively looking for work because NYS Department of Labor requires job search activities. Keep a log of where you apply. And if you have trouble getting through to speak with someone at NYS Department of Labor about your claim, I used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get connected to an agent quickly. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Saved me hours of calling busy phone lines.

ugh the whole unemployment system is such a nightmare to navigate even when you ARE eligible. I was laid off last year and it took WEEKS to get my first payment because of some stupid adjudication hold that nobody could explain to me. Good luck getting anyone on the phone at NYS Department of Labor!

I'm new to this community but dealing with a similar situation right now! I just started a part-time training program (22 hours/week) and was really stressed about how to report it. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful - especially learning about the 25% threshold and the dollar-for-dollar reduction formula. I had no idea you could still get partial benefits during training. I was almost tempted to not report it because I was scared of losing all my benefits, but now I understand that would be fraud and could lead to much bigger problems. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and knowledge here!

I went through this exact scenario about 6 months ago when I started a part-time training program for a medical assistant role. I was working about 28 hours per week during training and was terrified I'd lose all my benefits. What I learned is that NY unemployment actually has pretty clear guidelines once you dig into them - you MUST report any work, but the partial benefit system is actually designed to help people transition back to full employment. One tip that really helped me: I created a simple spreadsheet to track my daily hours and earnings. Every day I'd write down start time, end time, break time, and gross pay. When it came time to certify each week, I had everything organized and accurate. This saved me so much stress and made sure I never had discrepancies if they ever audited my records. The transition period can feel overwhelming but you're doing the right thing by asking questions and being thorough. The training will lead to full-time work and then you won't need benefits anymore - just think of this as a bridge to get there safely and legally!

just a heads up - if you received unemployment in 2024 make sure youre using the right tax forms. the rules changed a bit from covid years. also check if you qualify for any credits that might offset what you owe

One thing that might help is to look into making quarterly estimated tax payments if you think you might need unemployment benefits again in the future. Since UI benefits don't have automatic withholding like regular paychecks, you can avoid a big tax bill by setting aside money throughout the year. I also recommend keeping detailed records of all your unemployment payments in case there are any discrepancies with the 1099-G form you receive.