You're absolutely right to be concerned about your former employer, but please don't let that stop you from filing. The unemployment system is insurance that both you and your employer have been paying into - it's there specifically for situations like yours. Your employer has been paying unemployment taxes regardless of whether anyone files claims, and while your claim might affect their future rate slightly, it's spread out over time and factored into their business costs. You earned this benefit through your work, and filing for it won't suddenly bankrupt them. Focus on getting back on your feet - that's what the system is designed for.

I completely understand your concern about your former employer - it shows you're a considerate person. But here's the thing: you didn't choose to get laid off, and unemployment benefits exist precisely for this situation. Your employer has been paying into the unemployment insurance fund as part of doing business, just like they pay for workers' comp or other insurance. When you file a claim, they don't get a direct bill - instead, it may slightly affect their experience rating for future tax calculations. Think of it this way: if your house burned down, you wouldn't hesitate to file an insurance claim because it might affect the insurance company's profits, right? This is similar - you and your employer have been paying premiums (through payroll taxes) for this exact coverage. File your claim and focus on finding your next opportunity.

Here's what you need to know about address changes during claims: - Address updates don't affect claim approval - Changes usually process within 24-48 hours - You can still certify while address is updating - Make sure to update BOTH UI Online account AND payment method address - If you're getting paper checks, there might be a slight delay - For fastest results, use direct deposit instead of debit card I work as a career counselor and see this all the time. Just keep certifying weekly and you'll be fine. If you need to speak with someone, use claimyr.com - way better than waiting on hold forever.

lmaooo ny unemployment system is a joke fr fr 🤡

Most employers don't respond unless they have a really strong case for denying your claim. The NYS Department of Labor will proceed without their input after the deadline. Just make sure you keep filing your weekly claims and doing your job search requirements while you wait. The worst thing would be to have your claim approved but lose weeks because you stopped filing.

I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago. My employer never responded to the separation notice and my claim was approved after about 2.5 weeks total. The key thing is to keep filing your weekly certifications even while it's in adjudication - you'll get backpay for those weeks once it's approved. Also document everything just in case there are any issues later. The waiting is stressful but in most cases no employer response works in your favor since they're not contesting your version of events.

ugh the whole system is so confusing... why can't they just make it clear what counts as what?? i'm dealing with three different agencies right now and they all want different information about my unemployment benefits

I went through this exact same situation a few months ago when applying for rental assistance. Yes, you absolutely need to report your unemployment benefits as they are considered public benefits for reporting purposes. I was initially hesitant too, but my caseworker explained that being transparent is always the best approach. The good news is that most housing assistance programs understand that unemployment is temporary and shows you're actively seeking work. They typically look more favorably on UI recipients compared to other benefit programs since it demonstrates recent work history. Don't stress too much about it affecting your other applications - being honest upfront will save you headaches later if they discover the income through their verification processes anyway.

Just wanted to add that you can also check your earnings history online through the my.ny.gov portal to see if you meet the wage requirements before applying. It shows your quarterly wages from employers who reported them properly. This can help you calculate if you hit that $2,600 minimum in your highest quarter and the 1.5x total requirement. Also, even though your freelance work doesn't count for regular UI, if you paid into the system as self-employed you might be eligible for PUA (Pandemic Unemployment Assistance) programs if they're still available, but regular UI is probably your best bet.

One more thing to keep in mind - when you file your claim, make sure you report your last day of work accurately and any final pay you received (like vacation payout or severance). The NYS Department of Labor will use this to determine your claim start date. Also, if you do any part-time work while collecting unemployment, you need to report those earnings on your weekly certification - they'll reduce your benefit amount but you can still collect partial benefits as long as you earn less than your weekly benefit rate. The system is designed to encourage people to take part-time work while job searching.