Don't stress too much about the employment length thing. Like others said, it's about your total earnings over the base period quarters, not how long you stayed at one specific job. The system is designed to help people who lose work through no fault of their own.

Just to add some clarity - the base period calculation can be confusing but it's actually pretty straightforward once you understand it. Since you worked for 2 years at your previous job, you definitely have wages in multiple quarters which is what matters most. The NYS DOL will look at your highest quarter earnings to determine your weekly benefit amount too. Even if your current job doesn't work out after 6 weeks, those 6 weeks of wages will just be additional earnings on top of your already qualifying base period. Don't let the fear of not qualifying stop you from filing if you do get laid off - worst case they say no, but based on what you've described you should be fine.

The whole system is ridiculous!! Why should there be a time limit on filing when you lost your job through no fault of your own? I understand preventing fraud but 4 weeks is nothing when you're dealing with job loss and don't know all the rules. At least file now OP and see what they give you - something is better than nothing.

Don't beat yourself up about waiting - a lot of people make the same mistake thinking they'll find work quickly. The 4-week backdate limit is frustrating but definitely file your claim ASAP. When you apply, make sure to request the maximum backdate and provide any documentation you can about your layoff date. Even if you only get 4 weeks back, that's still significant money. Also, once you start receiving benefits, you'll at least have some income coming in while you continue your job search. The key is to not lose any more time - file today if possible.

The whole NYS Department of Labor system is a MESS. They upgraded it last year and it's been nothing but problems since. Half the time the website doesn't work, the other half your claim gets stuck in adjudication for weeks. Good luck getting any real help from them.

I had similar issues when I filed a few months ago. One thing that helped me was making sure I had all my employment information ready beforehand - employer name exactly as it appears on your W2, dates of employment, and reason for separation. The system times out quickly if you're searching for info while filling it out. Also try filing during off-peak hours like early morning (6-8 AM) when fewer people are using the system. The SSN issue might be related to how your name is entered in their database vs your social security card - even spacing can matter.

just file online and see what happens lol worst case they say no

I went through something similar when I was 17! You definitely can file for unemployment in NY as a minor - there's no minimum age requirement. The key things you need to check are: 1) You earned enough wages in your base period (sounds like you probably did with 8 months of work), 2) You're able and available for work, and 3) You were separated from your job through no fault of your own (layoff counts). Since you're doing online school, the availability requirement shouldn't be an issue. You might want to have a parent or guardian help you with the application process though, just to be safe. The online application is pretty straightforward - just have your Social Security number, employment history, and wage information ready.

check ur payment history on the website. sometimes they dont send email notifications but u can see if payment is pending there

Sorry to hear about your company shutting down - that's always tough. I went through the same thing about 6 months ago. The waiting period feels forever but hang in there! Make sure you're logging into the DOL website regularly to check your claim status and payment history. Sometimes there are issues that need to be resolved before they can release payments. Also keep all your paperwork from the company shutdown - sometimes they ask for it later. Good luck! 🙏