this whole system is so messed up... you can work somewhere for years and then they make your life hell but if you leave you might not get benefits. meanwhile people who barely worked get approved right away

I've been through something similar and the key thing I learned is that NYS Department of Labor really focuses on the employer's burden to prove misconduct. In my case, I was dealing with a supervisor who was creating impossible situations - giving contradictory instructions, setting unrealistic deadlines, then writing me up when I couldn't meet them. When I eventually got terminated for "performance issues," I was still approved for unemployment because the employer couldn't prove I was willfully violating policy or being insubordinate. The adjudicator told me that being bad at your job isn't misconduct if you're trying your best. Document everything though - dates, times, witnesses, emails. If your supervisor is creating a hostile environment, that paper trail will be crucial whether you end up getting fired or decide to quit for good cause.

same boat here, lost my restaurant job and trying to figure out if unemployment will even be worth it with all the hoops they make you jump through

Just went through this process myself after getting laid off from my office job. One thing to keep in mind is that your weekly benefit amount is roughly 50% of your average weekly wage, but capped at the maximum. With your $52k salary, you were making about $1,000 per week, so you'd likely qualify for around $430-450 weekly like others mentioned. Also heads up - you can choose to have taxes withheld (10% federal) when you set up your claim, which I'd recommend so you don't get hit with a big tax bill later. The money definitely helps cover basics while job searching!

Been there, it sucks but you'll be fine. Just make sure when you file weekly claims you're actively looking for work because NYS Department of Labor requires job search activities. Keep a log of where you apply. And if you have trouble getting through to speak with someone at NYS Department of Labor about your claim, I used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get connected to an agent quickly. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Saved me hours of calling busy phone lines.

ugh the whole unemployment system is such a nightmare to navigate even when you ARE eligible. I was laid off last year and it took WEEKS to get my first payment because of some stupid adjudication hold that nobody could explain to me. Good luck getting anyone on the phone at NYS Department of Labor!

One more thing to check - if you worked in multiple states in the past 18 months or had any 1099 income, that can sometimes cause verification delays. Also if your employer is disputing the claim for any reason, that would explain why it's taking so long. The adjudication process for disputed claims can take 6-8 weeks easily.

I'm going through the exact same thing right now - filed in mid-December and still stuck in "under review" status with no explanation. It's incredibly frustrating when you've done everything they asked and still get radio silence. I've been documenting everything (screenshots, call logs, submission confirmations) just in case I need to escalate this later. Has anyone had luck reaching out to their local state representative's office? I've heard they sometimes have direct contacts at the Department of Labor who can actually look into specific cases.

One thing that helped me understand my disqualification was requesting my complete claim file from NYS Department of Labor. You can see exactly what information they used to make their decision and it might reveal errors or misunderstandings that you can address in your appeal.

I went through something similar and the appeal process is definitely worth pursuing if you believe there's an error. The key is to gather all your documentation - pay stubs, termination letters, anything that proves your work history and the circumstances of your job separations. I was initially denied for "voluntary quit" but it turned out my former employer had reported incorrect information. After appealing with proper documentation, I was approved and received all my back benefits. The appeal hearing lets you present your side of the story directly to a judge, and you can have witnesses testify on your behalf. Don't give up without trying - the worst that can happen is they uphold the original decision, but you might discover there was a mistake in your case.