Look into Santander Consumer or Capital One Auto Finance - they sometimes work with non-traditional income sources. Also check if you qualify for any first-time buyer programs that might be more flexible.

Try looking at smaller, independent dealerships rather than big chain lots - they're often more willing to work with unique situations. I'd also suggest getting pre-approved through a credit union first before shopping. Navy Federal and SEFCU (if you're in the Capital Region) have been known to consider unemployment benefits. Having that pre-approval letter in hand gives you more negotiating power with dealers. Also, consider certified pre-owned vehicles instead of new ones - lower payments might make lenders more comfortable with your temporary income situation.

Don't let the complexity discourage you from applying! I was in a similar situation where I had worked at two different places within the year and wasn't sure if it would count. The online application at my.ny.gov actually walks you through entering all your employment history from the past 18 months, and their system automatically calculates whether you meet the requirements. You'll need your employer information, dates worked, and gross wages for each job. Since you have 8 months total of work history this year, you're likely in good shape as long as your combined earnings hit those thresholds that Melina mentioned.

Pedro, based on what you've described, you should definitely apply! With 6 months of work earlier this year plus your recent 2 months, you likely have enough work history to qualify. The NYS Department of Labor will look at your entire base period (typically the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters) when determining eligibility. Since you were laid off due to company downsizing and didn't quit voluntarily, you should meet the separation requirements too. Make sure you have all your employment information handy - employer names, addresses, dates of employment, and your gross wages from both jobs. The online application will guide you through everything and automatically calculate if you meet the monetary requirements.

I've been trying to reach someone at NYS Department of Labor for weeks about my eligibility question but their phone lines are always busy or I get disconnected. Has anyone found a way to actually talk to a real person there? This is so frustrating when you need answers about whether you even qualify.

Don't forget you also have to be able and available for work and actively seeking employment. NYS Department of Labor requires you to make at least 3 job contacts per week and keep a log of your job search activities. Even if you qualify initially, you have to maintain eligibility by meeting these ongoing requirements.

The whole system is so confusing!! Why can't they just post the rates clearly online instead of making everyone hunt around for information? I spent hours on the NYS Department of Labor website last month trying to figure this out.

One thing to remember is that the taxable wage base for 2024 increased to $12,300 per employee, up from $12,000 in 2023. So even if your rate stays the same, you'll be paying slightly more per employee due to the higher wage base.

hey at least u got approved, mine been in adjudication for 8 weeks now with no end in sight

For future reference, you can also check your payment history and pending weeks through the NY.gov unemployment portal once your claim is approved. It should show a breakdown of all the weeks you're entitled to receive back pay for. The processing time for the actual payments can vary - some people get it within a few business days, others might wait up to two weeks depending on how backed up their system is. Hang in there, the financial relief should be coming soon!