The phone system is ridiculous. I've called probably 200 times over the past month trying to get my disqualification explained and I've gotten through TWICE. Both times they told me different things about my appeal process. The whole NYS Department of Labor phone system needs to be completely overhauled.

I feel your pain! I've been dealing with the same issue trying to reach them about my benefit calculation. What worked for me was calling exactly at 8:00 AM on Tuesday - seems like they have more staff available earlier in the week. Also, I noticed that if you select the option for "reporting fraud" (even though that's not what you need), you sometimes get through to a real person faster who can then transfer you to the right department. It's frustrating that we have to use these workarounds just to get basic help with our claims.

Just want to add that if you're in a job training program through Workforce Development, some of those programs might have their own requirements, but that's separate from your basic UI eligibility. The NYS Department of Labor website has info about job search requirements but I don't remember seeing anything about drug testing there.

Thanks everyone for the helpful responses! I was really worried about this since I've heard so many conflicting stories. It's good to know that NYS Department of Labor doesn't require drug testing for regular unemployment benefits. I was laid off due to company downsizing, so it sounds like I should be fine to file my claim without worrying about any testing requirements. Really appreciate the clarification about it only being an issue if you were fired for failing a workplace drug test - that definitely doesn't apply to my situation.

The whole system is ridiculous honestly. They want you to find work but then make it hard to improve your skills to actually GET better work. I've been dealing with NYS Department of Labor for months and they change their story every time I call.

I went through this exact situation last year. You CAN attend school while on unemployment in NY, but you need to be strategic about it. I enrolled in a part-time evening program and made sure to document that I was available for work during normal business hours. The key things: 1) Keep doing your job searches and applying to positions, 2) Be honest on your weekly certifications about your availability, and 3) Make sure your class schedule doesn't conflict with potential work opportunities. I actually ended up getting a better job because of the skills I learned while on unemployment. Just don't try to hide it - be upfront with DOL if they ask about your activities.

Just want to add that you should keep applying for other jobs while you're dealing with this. Even if you can refuse this particular offer, NYS Department of Labor still expects you to be actively searching. Document everything in your job search log.

I went through something similar last year. The key thing to remember is that NYS DOL considers several factors when determining if work is "suitable" - wage level compared to your previous job, commute time/distance, and whether it matches your skills and experience. A 4-hour daily commute plus $2/hour pay cut would likely be considered unreasonable by most standards. When you file your weekly claim, there should be a question about whether you refused any work - answer honestly and provide clear details about why (excessive commute time, significant pay reduction). Keep copies of the job offer details and your refusal reason. If they do flag it for review, you'll have a chance to explain during the adjudication process. Don't panic - they're looking for people who refuse reasonable offers, not situations like yours where the job creates genuine hardship.

Update: I kept certifying as everyone suggested, and after 2 weeks I got a message in my account saying I was approved for EB! The payment just hit my account this morning. Thanks everyone for the advice!

Congrats on getting your EB approved! This is such a helpful thread for anyone going through this transition. I'm currently on week 22 of my regular benefits and was already stressing about what happens next. Reading everyone's experiences here really puts my mind at ease. The key takeaway seems crystal clear: never stop certifying weekly, even if you see $0 payments temporarily. It's reassuring to know the system does work, even if it takes a couple weeks to process. Thanks for sharing your update - it gives hope to those of us approaching the 26-week mark!