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This is such a basic question but the NYS Department of Labor makes everything so confusing! Why can't they just say 'most recent job title' instead of 'main occupation'?? The whole system is designed to trip people up I swear.
Just went through this same process last month! Definitely use "retail supervisor" since that was your most recent position. The NYS Department of Labor uses this mainly to categorize your claim and for their records. Your food service experience will still be valuable and you can include all of that work history in the employment section. The key is being consistent throughout your application - whatever you put as your main occupation should match what you list as your last job. Good luck with your claim!
Good luck with everything! The transition from workers comp back to job searching can be stressful but at least you have the settlement to help while you look for work.
I went through something similar about 6 months ago with a knee injury workers comp case. The most important thing is having that medical clearance documentation ready - NYS Department of Labor will definitely want to see that you're physically able to work. Also, when you file online, there's a specific section about workers comp benefits where you'll need to be upfront about the settlement. They mainly care about whether any part of the settlement covers future wage loss (which it sounds like yours doesn't). The whole process took about 3 weeks for me to get approved. Make sure you start your work search activities right away since they'll ask for proof of job hunting efforts. Best of luck!
This is really helpful, thank you! I'm glad to hear the process went smoothly for you. I've already started looking at job postings online and have a few applications ready to submit. It's good to know that 3 weeks is a reasonable timeframe to expect. I was worried it might take much longer given that workers comp was involved. Did you have to provide any specific documentation about your settlement beyond just mentioning it in the application?
@Savannah Vin They didn t'ask for the actual settlement paperwork during my application, but I did keep copies ready just in case. They were more focused on the medical clearance and making sure I understood the work search requirements. Since you re'already preparing job applications, you should be in good shape! The key is being proactive with documenting your job search efforts from day one.
I'm so sorry you're going through this nightmare with NYSDOL. Four months is absolutely unacceptable, especially when you're facing car repossession. I went through something similar last year and the stress was overwhelming. A few additional suggestions that might help: 1. If you have a Twitter account, try tweeting @NYSDOL with your case details - they sometimes respond faster to public complaints 2. When you call, press 1 for English, then 1 for unemployment, then 2 for existing claim, then 3 for payment issues - this routing sometimes gets you to different representatives 3. Try calling the Teleclaim line at 888-581-5812 and pressing 0 to speak to someone - it's meant for weekly claims but sometimes they can transfer you to the right department The fact that your car is about to be repossessed should definitely qualify you for expedited processing. Make sure you mention "financial hardship" and "imminent loss of transportation" in every communication. Keep us updated on how the assembly member contact goes - that's often the breakthrough people need. Hang in there!
Thank you so much for these additional tips! I hadn't thought about trying Twitter - that's actually a really smart idea since they probably don't want negative publicity. I'll try that phone routing you mentioned too. I've been just hitting the main options but maybe a different path will get me to someone who can actually help. The teleclaim line idea is interesting - worth a shot at this point! I'm feeling a bit more hopeful with all these suggestions. Will definitely keep everyone posted on what works. Really appreciate you taking the time to help!
I'm really sorry to hear about your situation - 4 months is way too long to wait for unemployment benefits, especially when you're facing car repossession. I had a similar experience last year where my claim was stuck for 2+ months. What finally worked for me was a combination of things: 1. I found my local assembly member's office was incredibly helpful - they have a direct line to DOL and can often get answers within a few days 2. The UI-640 hardship form that someone mentioned is crucial - make sure to include documentation about your car repossession threat 3. I also had success calling right at 8am when they open, but instead of the main line, try 888-209-8124 One thing that might be happening is your claim could be stuck in "adjudication" - which means they're reviewing something but haven't told you what. Sometimes it's as simple as needing to verify your last employer or work dates. Don't give up! The squeaky wheel gets the grease with NYSDOL unfortunately. Keep calling, keep emailing, and definitely pursue that assembly member contact. Your benefits are there waiting for you - it's just a matter of getting the right person to push your claim through. Hang in there!
Just went through this whole process myself! Had 5 calls total over 6 months - they're definitely not monthly like I thought they'd be. The timing seems totally random but they do eventually stop once you establish a pattern of compliance. My advice is to always answer unknown NY numbers during business hours and keep a simple log of your job search activities. Makes the calls way less stressful when you're prepared!
Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences! I'm on my second call and was definitely worried this would be a monthly torture session. Sounds like it varies a lot but eventually stops - that's a huge relief. @Sophie Hernandez your breakdown was super helpful, especially about keeping detailed job search records. I've been kind of winging it with my documentation but clearly need to get more organized before the next call hits!
CosmicVoyager
Final update for anyone who finds this post later: My claim was approved! It took 5 days, not the 2-3 the agent initially said, but that's still way better than waiting for weeks. I got the determination letter today and my first payment should be processed next week. The key really was talking to an actual person who could understand my specific situation. Thanks everyone for your help and advice!
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Omar Mahmoud
•Excellent news! Glad it worked out for you. This is a good example of why it's always worth applying even if you think you might not qualify. The rules have exceptions, and your specific circumstances matter.
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Felicity Bud
Congratulations on getting approved! This thread is super helpful for anyone dealing with the furlough-to-termination situation. I'm bookmarking this for future reference. It's crazy how the system can be so inconsistent - some people wait weeks while others get approved in days. Really shows the importance of getting the right agent who understands these edge cases. Thanks for sharing your updates throughout the process!
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Liam Fitzgerald
•This thread has been so educational! I'm currently on furlough myself and have been dreading the possibility of getting that termination letter. It's reassuring to know that there are provisions for our situation, even though the process seems so inconsistent. The fact that @CosmicVoyager got approved gives me hope. I'm definitely saving the info about Claimyr too - seems like having an actual agent who understands these edge cases makes all the difference. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences here!
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