One thing to add - make sure you keep all your unemployment documentation (award letter, payment records, etc.) even after you return to work. I learned this the hard way when I had to file taxes the following year and couldn't find my 1099-G form. The IRS considers unemployment benefits taxable income, so you'll need those records come tax season. Also, if you ever need to apply for certain benefits or loans in the future, having that employment gap documented properly can be helpful.

Just wanted to add something that hasn't been mentioned yet - if you're planning to return to the same employer you were laid off from, make sure they haven't changed their payroll or HR systems while you were out. I returned to my old job last year and spent my first week dealing with new login credentials, updated direct deposit forms, and a completely different benefits enrollment system. It's worth reaching out to HR a few days before your start date to confirm what you need to bring and if there are any new onboarding requirements. Nothing worse than showing up on your first day back and not being able to access your email or systems!

Just adding my 2 cents - definitely keep track of EVERYTHING. Job applications, networking events, career fairs, even informational interviews can count as job contacts. The more detailed your records the better. I made a simple spreadsheet with dates, company names, contact methods, and follow-up actions. NYS Department of Labor wants to see that you're making genuine efforts to find work.

@Amara Chukwu - Since you worked for 2 years at the same job, you should definitely qualify for the full 26 weeks of benefits in New York. Your cousin and neighbor were both partially right - it is typically 26 weeks (about 6 months), but it does depend on your work history during the "base period" which is usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you filed your claim. The key things to remember: file your weekly claims on time every week, keep detailed records of at least 3 job search activities per week (applications, networking, interviews, etc.), and be available for work. Don't stress too much about the paperwork - it becomes routine after the first few weeks. You've got this!

Just wanted to add some reassurance here - I went through this exact situation last year when my company had layoffs. My manager also made comments about how filing would "hurt the company," but I filed anyway because I needed the benefits. Nothing happened to me in terms of references or retaliation. In fact, when I contacted them months later for a reference for a new job, they were completely professional about it. The reality is that most employers understand layoffs happen and unemployment is part of the deal. The good employers won't hold it against you, and the bad ones... well, you probably don't want their reference anyway! You paid into this system through your work, so don't let anyone guilt you out of using it when you legitimately need it.

I just went through the same situation a few months ago! My employer also tried to make me feel guilty about filing, saying it would "cost the company money." But here's what I learned - they've already been paying unemployment insurance taxes on your wages the entire time you worked there. When you file, you're not taking money directly from them or causing them to get fined. Their tax rate might go up slightly in the future based on their claims history, but that's literally how insurance works. You worked there for 3 years and got laid off due to budget cuts - that's exactly what unemployment benefits are designed for! Don't let them manipulate you into not filing when you have every legal right to these benefits. I was worried about references too, but when I needed one later, my former employer was completely professional about it. The good news is that NY law actually prohibits employers from retaliating against you for filing a legitimate unemployment claim. File your claim and don't feel guilty about it. You earned those benefits!

If you're having trouble getting through to file your claim online, I had success using Claimyr to connect with a NYS Department of Labor agent. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Way better than sitting on hold for hours or getting disconnected.

just file online its not that hard people make it way more complicated than it needs to be

You should be fine honestly. I've seen way worse cases get approved by NYS Department of Labor. As long as you weren't stealing or fighting with customers or something crazy like that, poor performance alone rarely disqualifies someone from benefits.

I was in a similar situation last year - got terminated from a warehouse job for not meeting picking rates after about 6 months. Like you, I had verbal warnings but no formal write-ups or improvement plans. I filed for unemployment immediately and was approved within about 10 days. The key thing is that NYS Department of Labor looks at whether you were willfully not performing versus just struggling to meet expectations. Since you were trying but couldn't hit the quotas, that's not misconduct. My advice is to file ASAP and be completely honest about the reason for termination. Don't try to sugar-coat it - just explain that you were terminated for not meeting production standards despite your efforts. The waiting can be stressful but most performance-related terminations get approved. Good luck!