I'm in a similar situation working at a resort in the Catskills. One thing I learned is that you can actually call the NYS Department of Labor's Seasonal Worker hotline (518-457-2827) - it's separate from the main UI line and has shorter wait times. They specifically handle questions about seasonal employment and reasonable assurance. Also, for the job search requirement, I've found that applying to year-round positions at ski resorts (like maintenance or administrative roles) counts toward your search activities and shows you're genuinely looking for work during the off-season.

As someone who's worked seasonal jobs for several years, I can share what I've learned about the NYS system. The written reasonable assurance is absolutely crucial - if your employer hasn't given you anything in writing about being rehired, you should be eligible for benefits. Regarding job searches, I know it feels pointless during summer for ski work, but I've found success applying to outdoor recreation companies, summer camps, and even retail positions that show I'm genuinely available for work. The key is documenting everything properly - keep screenshots of your applications and make notes about each job you apply for. Also, don't forget that you need to certify weekly that you're able and available to work, which means you can't just disappear for a month-long vacation. The system may seem frustrating, but it does work if you follow the rules correctly.

This is incredibly helpful info, thank you! I've been stuck in pending for almost 2 months now with no progress through normal channels. Quick question - when you emailed your senator, did you send it to their general contact email or is there a specific email for unemployment/constituent services? Also, how long did it take them to respond to your initial email? I'm going to try this approach but want to make sure I'm doing it right!

This is exactly what I needed to see! I've been banging my head against the wall for 6 weeks trying to get through to someone at NYSDOL. My claim has been stuck on "pending" since I filed and I was starting to think it was hopeless. I had no idea contacting my state senator was even an option - I thought they only dealt with like, big policy stuff. Going to look up my rep right now and send them an email today. Did you have to provide any specific documentation when you contacted them, or just explain the situation? Really hoping this works because I'm running out of savings fast!

The ny unemployment system is LITERALLY the worst in the country. I eventually had to show up IN PERSON at my state senator's office and refuse to leave until they helped me. Took 3 visits but they finally assigned someone to my case.

I feel your pain - I was stuck in unemployment hell for 4 months last year. Here's what finally worked for me: I contacted both my state assemblyperson AND senator on the same day, then used Claimyr.com to actually get through to a real person at NYSDOL. The combination of political pressure + talking to an actual agent got my claim moving within 72 hours. Don't waste time with the Governor's office - they just redirect you back to the same broken system. Focus on your local reps and getting to a human who can see your account. Also document everything with dates/times in case you need to escalate further. Hang in there!

Hope you figure it out! These benefit programs are so hard to navigate when you're dealing with multiple agencies.

I went through something similar a few years ago. The tricky part is that SSDI allows for a Trial Work Period where you can earn up to a certain amount ($1,050/month in 2024) for up to 9 months while keeping your benefits. But unemployment benefits require you to certify that you're actively looking for work and available for immediate employment, which could potentially conflict with your disability determination. The timing matters a lot too - if you lose a job during your trial work period, you might have a case for unemployment, but you'd need to be very careful about how you present your availability for work. Definitely get clarification from both your disability attorney and maybe a consultation with someone who knows NYS unemployment law before proceeding.

just to add - you can also make quarterly estimated tax payments if you dont want to do the withholding thing. some people prefer that so they have more control over the timing

I'm new to unemployment benefits and this thread has been really helpful! Just to clarify - when you elect the 10% withholding through NYS Department of Labor, does that get sent directly to the IRS or do I need to do anything else? Also, if my usual tax bracket is lower (like 12%), would it make sense to withhold less than 10% or is it better to err on the safe side and maybe get a refund?