The whole NYS Department of Labor system is a MESS. They upgraded it last year and it's been nothing but problems since. Half the time the website doesn't work, the other half your claim gets stuck in adjudication for weeks. Good luck getting any real help from them.

I had similar issues when I filed a few months ago. One thing that helped me was making sure I had all my employment information ready beforehand - employer name exactly as it appears on your W2, dates of employment, and reason for separation. The system times out quickly if you're searching for info while filling it out. Also try filing during off-peak hours like early morning (6-8 AM) when fewer people are using the system. The SSN issue might be related to how your name is entered in their database vs your social security card - even spacing can matter.

I went through something similar when I was 17! You definitely can file for unemployment in NY as a minor - there's no minimum age requirement. The key things you need to check are: 1) You earned enough wages in your base period (sounds like you probably did with 8 months of work), 2) You're able and available for work, and 3) You were separated from your job through no fault of your own (layoff counts). Since you're doing online school, the availability requirement shouldn't be an issue. You might want to have a parent or guardian help you with the application process though, just to be safe. The online application is pretty straightforward - just have your Social Security number, employment history, and wage information ready.

Just wanted to add that you should also make sure you have your W-2 or 1099 forms ready when you file - they'll ask for your total wages earned during the base period. Since you worked retail for 8 months, you probably received a W-2 from your employer. Also, don't worry too much about the age thing - I know several people who filed for unemployment while still in high school and it wasn't an issue as long as they met the wage and work availability requirements. The online application will walk you through everything step by step. Good luck with your claim!

good luck! these hearings are stressful but if you were really laid off due to budget cuts you should be fine. just tell the truth

I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago - employer claimed misconduct when it was really a layoff. Here's what helped me win: 1) Organize all your documents chronologically in a folder, 2) Write out a timeline of events leading to your termination, 3) Practice explaining your side clearly and concisely, 4) If you have any coworkers who witnessed the layoff discussions, ask if they'd be willing to testify. The judge will likely ask your employer very specific questions about their misconduct claim - if they can't provide solid evidence (like documented warnings, policy violations, etc.), their case falls apart. You've got this! The fact that you have that budget cuts email puts you in a really strong position.

If you're having trouble figuring out which benefit to apply for or need to talk to someone about your specific situation, I had good luck using a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) to actually get through to a real person at the various agencies. They helped me connect with the right department instead of getting stuck in phone trees. There's a demo video at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Sometimes you just need to talk to a human to sort out these confusing situations.

Just want to add some clarity on the workers comp angle since you mentioned it was a work injury. Workers compensation is administered separately from NYS Department of Labor unemployment and disability benefits - it's usually handled through your employer's insurance carrier. If your injury happened at work, you should definitely explore workers comp first since it typically provides better coverage and protects your job. You can potentially receive workers comp and state disability simultaneously in some cases, but never unemployment while you're unable to work. I'd suggest contacting your HR department about workers comp procedures if you haven't already.

check ur payment history on the website. sometimes they dont send email notifications but u can see if payment is pending there

Sorry to hear about your company shutting down - that's always tough. I went through the same thing about 6 months ago. The waiting period feels forever but hang in there! Make sure you're logging into the DOL website regularly to check your claim status and payment history. Sometimes there are issues that need to be resolved before they can release payments. Also keep all your paperwork from the company shutdown - sometimes they ask for it later. Good luck! 🙏