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Have you considered talking to a lawyer about workplace harassment first? Sometimes threatening legal action can improve the situation without you having to quit.
That's actually smart advice. Document everything first, try other solutions, then if you do have to quit you'll have a stronger case for good cause.
I went through something similar about 6 months ago. The key thing NYS Department of Labor looks for is whether you made "reasonable efforts" to resolve the situation before quitting. In my case, I had to show that I complained to HR in writing, requested a transfer, and documented specific incidents with dates and witness names. I also had to prove that the working conditions were "so intolerable that a reasonable person would have been compelled to resign." It's a high bar, but not impossible if you build a solid paper trail. Start documenting everything now - emails, incidents, witnesses, and any attempts you make to address the issues through proper channels. Good luck!
This is really helpful, thank you! Can you clarify what you mean by "reasonable person would have been compelled to resign"? I'm wondering if constant criticism and unreasonable demands would meet that standard, or if it needs to be more severe like harassment or discrimination? Also, when you say witness names - did you need coworkers to actually testify or was it enough to just mention who was present during incidents?
Just to add to what everyone else said - the application processes are totally different too. For unemployment benefits from NYS Department of Labor, you apply online at labor.ny.gov and it's pretty straightforward if you have your employment history ready. For cash assistance, you usually have to go to your local Department of Social Services office in person with tons of documents like pay stubs, bank statements, rent receipts, etc. The unemployment application asks about your work history and why you lost your job, while cash assistance digs deep into your entire financial situation and living arrangements. I'd definitely start with unemployment first since that's faster and you're more likely to qualify based on losing your job.
This is super helpful! I was wondering about the application process differences. One thing I'm still confused about though - if I apply for unemployment first and get approved, will that make me automatically ineligible for cash assistance? Or do they evaluate them separately? I'm a single mom with one kid and really worried about making ends meet while I look for a new job.
They evaluate them separately, but your unemployment benefits will count as income when they determine your cash assistance eligibility. So you won't be automatically ineligible, but the unemployment might reduce your cash assistance amount or potentially make you ineligible if it puts you over the income limits. Since you're a single mom though, the income limits for cash assistance are usually higher than for single people without kids. I'd definitely apply for unemployment first since that's guaranteed if you qualify based on your work history, then apply for cash assistance after and see what happens. Even if you only get partial cash assistance, every little bit helps when you're trying to make ends meet!
One more thing to keep in mind - the timing can be really important! Unemployment benefits from NYS Department of Labor usually start paying within 2-3 weeks if there are no issues with your claim, but cash assistance can take much longer to process (sometimes 30-45 days). So definitely get your unemployment application in ASAP since you just lost your job last week. The sooner you apply, the sooner you can start getting those benefits. And don't wait to apply for cash assistance either if you think you might qualify - even if the unemployment reduces what you get, having both applications in the system means you'll get help as soon as possible. Also, make sure to keep all your documentation organized because both programs might ask for additional paperwork later on.
This timing advice is so important! I wish I had known this when I first lost my job. I waited almost a month before applying for anything because I thought I had to choose between them. By the time I figured out they were different programs, I had already missed out on weeks of potential unemployment benefits. The retroactive payments helped some, but it would have been so much easier to have that income coming in right away. For anyone reading this - definitely don't make the same mistake I did. Apply for unemployment through NYS Department of Labor immediately, even if you're not sure about all the details. You can always ask questions later, but you can't get back those lost weeks of eligibility.
anyone else notice that the payment hits your account a day later when ur on extended benefits? regular UI always came tuesday for me but extended benefits hits wednesday for some reason
Update: I certified yesterday for my final week of regular benefits. The system didn't show anything different, but today I got a message in my account saying I'm eligible for extended benefits! It says I need to continue certifying weekly and that my weekly benefit amount will stay the same. It also mentioned the increased work search requirements (5 activities per week). Thanks everyone for your help and advice!
That's fantastic news! So glad it worked out smoothly for you. Just a heads up - I've been on extended benefits for about 6 weeks now and they really do check your work search activities more carefully. I got a request to provide details about my job search activities from week 3, so definitely keep good records of everything (company names, dates, how you applied, etc.). Also, the "suitable work" requirements can be tricky - I had to turn down a job that was only 75% of my previous wage but accept one that was 85% even though it was a completely different field. Good luck with everything!
Congratulations on getting approved! That's such a relief when the system works as it should. I'm in a similar situation - my regular benefits end in about 3 weeks and I've been worried about the transition. Your post gives me hope that it might go smoothly. Quick question - did you get any notification before your last regular payment that extended benefits were being processed, or did the message just appear after you certified? Also, thanks to everyone who shared their experiences here - this thread has been incredibly helpful for understanding what to expect!
CALL THEM!!! Seriously, sitting around waiting won't fix it. My claim was stuck for 3 months until I finally got through. Use claimyr.com if u keep getting the busy signal
Hey NebulaNova! I went through almost the exact same thing last year - approved in July but didn't see a penny until November. Turns out there was an identity verification issue they never told me about. Here's what finally worked for me: 1. Log into your account and check if there's any pending correspondence or questionnaires 2. Look for any "eligibility review" notices 3. Make sure your direct deposit info is correct 4. Call the claims center early morning (like 8:01 AM sharp) The good news is YES you'll get all your backpay once they resolve whatever's holding it up. I got like $2,800 dropped into my account all at once. Keep certifying every week no matter what - that's super important for getting your full backpay. Don't give up, you're not alone in this! 💪
Zara Ahmed
ugh the whole system is so complicated!! why cant they just make it simple instead of having different rules for everything
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Chloe Davis
@Anastasia Sokolov I made the same mistake initially! Even though we "earned" the right to unemployment benefits by working and paying into the system, the IRS and most agencies classify the actual benefit payments as unearned income because you're not actively working while receiving them. You might want to go back and correct any forms where you listed it as earned income - it could affect your eligibility for certain programs or cause issues with tax filings. The logic is that earned income comes from current work activity, while unearned income includes things like unemployment benefits, Social Security, pensions, etc.
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