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!

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!

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.

I had a very similar experience with NYS Department of Labor in 2024! My weekly benefit was also lower than expected and it turned out to be a base period issue. The $420 you're getting does seem low for your income level. One thing that helped me was filing an online inquiry through the NYS DOL website - sometimes it's faster than calling. Also make sure to check if you had any employers who might have been classified as independent contractor work that should have been W-2 wages. The department sometimes misses those or they get reported late. If you do find missing wages, you can request a redetermination and they'll recalculate your benefit amount retroactively. It's definitely worth pursuing since you could be missing out on significant money over the life of your claim.

ugh the whole system is so confusing! I got one of these letters too and freaked out thinking I did something wrong. Turns out it's just paperwork nonsense

Just to clarify - fact finding isn't just paperwork. It's a legitimate investigation where NYS Department of Labor interviews both you and potentially your former employer to determine if you qualify for benefits. The outcome can definitely affect whether you get approved or denied, so take it seriously and provide accurate information.

oh and don't forget you'll need to do the weekly claims every week once you're approved. job search requirements are still the same whether you were contract or permanent employee

Thanks everyone for the helpful info! I'm definitely going to apply since I did get W-2s from all my contract positions. One thing I'm wondering about - do I need to report that the company said they "might" have more work in a few months when I file? I don't want to mess anything up by not being completely transparent, but it's also pretty vague and uncertain. Also, has anyone had experience with how they handle gaps between contracts? I had about 3 weeks between my last two contracts where I was actively looking for work.