same boat here, got let go last month and still trying to figure this out. the nys department of labor website makes my head spin with all the rules

I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago - also got laid off from my first "real" job and had no idea what I was doing with unemployment. The good news is that based on what you've shared, you should definitely qualify! You worked full-time for 8 months and made $45k, so you'll easily meet the wage requirements. The fact that you were laid off (not fired for cause or quit) is the main thing that matters for eligibility. My advice: don't get too bogged down trying to understand every single rule on the NYS Department of Labor website before applying. Just start the online application - it walks you through everything step by step and is much clearer than their general information pages. You can always call or chat with them if you run into specific issues during the process. The hardest part is honestly just getting started!

The adjudication process for business owners is a nightmare! I've been waiting 3 weeks just to speak to someone at NYS Department of Labor about my eligibility. Every time I call the main number I get disconnected or put on hold for hours. Has anyone found a way to actually reach a real person there?

Just be honest on your application about being the business owner. NYS Department of Labor will find out anyway when they verify your employment history. The key is showing that the closure was due to economic necessity, not choice. Good luck!

Two weeks isn't that long for adjudication honestly. I know it feels like forever when you're waiting for money but thats pretty normal timing for NYS Department of Labor. The unemployment rate being 4.2% or whatever doesn't really matter for your specific situation.

Actually, while the overall unemployment percentage doesn't directly affect individual claim processing times, there can be some indirect effects during periods of high unemployment. When unemployment spikes significantly (like during economic downturns), NYS Department of Labor sometimes implements emergency measures or temporary programs. But at the current 4.2% rate, which is considered relatively normal, you shouldn't expect any special expedited processing. Your 8 months of retail work should definitely qualify you - just hang in there, two weeks is still within the normal timeframe even though I know it's stressful waiting for that first payment.

Same thing happened to my sister! She was so paranoid about the call but it turned out to be real. They were calling about her adjudication and needed to clarify something about her separation from work.

I work at a local community center and we've been seeing a lot of people getting these fake unemployment calls lately. The scammers are getting really sophisticated - they even spoof numbers to make it look like they're calling from official government agencies. My advice is to never give out personal info on an incoming call, even if it seems legitimate. If NYS DOL really needs to reach you, they'll leave a voicemail with a callback number you can verify, or send official mail. When in doubt, always call them back using the number from their official website.

Just be prepared for the weekly job search requirements. You'll need to document that you're actively looking for work even though your spouse is employed. Keep track of all your applications and interviews in case they audit your job search log.

I went through this exact situation last year when my husband was working but I lost my job due to company downsizing. You're absolutely eligible for unemployment benefits - they only look at your individual employment record, not your spouse's income. Just make sure you have all your previous employer information ready when you apply online. The key things they'll verify are that you worked enough quarters, earned sufficient wages in your base period, and that you're unemployed through no fault of your own. Since you were laid off, you should meet all the requirements. Don't let anyone discourage you from applying - you paid into this system and you're entitled to these benefits when you need them.