check if ur local library has an unemployment navigator program. some libraries have staff specifically trained to help with nysdol issues and they sometimes have direct contacts.

Have u reached out to ur previous employer? Sometimes they can help verify ur previous claim or at least provide documentation that might help.

Thanks everyone for the helpful responses! Just to confirm my understanding: I'll continue with my existing claim (since I'm only 2 months into my benefit year), certify weekly reporting 0 days worked, make sure I select "lack of work" as my separation reason, and consider calling NYSDOL to have them note the change in my file. Does that sound right?

Just went through this same situation in February! You're definitely on the right track. One small addition - when you certify and report 0 days worked, double-check that your "total gross earnings" field is also $0. Sometimes people forget to update that field even when they put 0 days worked, and any earnings amount can mess up your benefit calculation. Also, your first full unemployment payment might take an extra day or two to process since the system is adjusting your benefit amount, so don't panic if it's not there exactly when you expect it. Good luck!

Just file your claim asap dont worry about who pays what. The important thing is getting your benefits started because theres always delays with adjudication and stuff

Don't let the experience rating system discourage you from filing - it's actually designed to protect workers! The whole point is that employers who frequently lay people off or fire without good cause should pay more into the system. If you were legitimately terminated and not for misconduct, you absolutely deserve those benefits. The money is there specifically for situations like yours. I'd recommend documenting everything about your termination just in case your employer tries to contest the claim, but definitely file as soon as possible since there's usually a waiting period before benefits start.

File your claim today - don't wait another day! I made the same mistake of overthinking the timing when I got fired for "performance issues" that were really just my manager not liking me. NYS Department of Labor doesn't care about your personal feelings about the termination - they just need to determine if it was misconduct. Since you mentioned it was personality conflicts rather than something like theft or violence, you'll probably be fine after adjudication. The key is getting that claim date locked in ASAP so you don't lose any potential benefit weeks while they sort it out.

File immediately! I just went through this exact same situation last month - got fired for "performance issues" that were really just clashing with my supervisor's management style. I filed my claim the day after termination and I'm so glad I did. The NYS Department of Labor took about 3 weeks to adjudicate my case, but since I filed right away, I didn't lose any potential benefit weeks during that process. They ended up approving me because personality conflicts don't count as misconduct. The worst thing you can do is wait - every day you delay is a potential day of benefits lost. Go to labor.ny.gov right now and get that application started. You've got rent due next week so don't waste any more time second-guessing yourself!

same thing happened to me last year!! turned out one employer didn't report my wages correctly to NYS Department of Labor and it took 3 months to get it fixed and get my back pay

I went through something similar in 2024 and had to appeal my benefit amount. The key thing to check is your base period - it's usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you filed. So if you filed late in 2024, make sure they're using the right quarters and all your W-2 wages are included. I found out one of my part-time jobs wasn't reporting correctly to NYS Department of Labor. You can request a wage transcript from the department to verify what they have on file versus what you actually earned. Don't give up - you're entitled to the correct amount based on your actual wages.