Thank you all so much for the help! I think I understand now - I'll definitely answer YES to returning to work, and I'll track my hours meticulously. Since I'll be working 4 hours each day, 5 days a week, it sounds like I probably won't get any UI benefits, which is disappointing but at least I know what to expect. I'll keep certifying every week anyway to keep my claim active while I look for full-time work. Really appreciate all the explanations!

Just wanted to add something important that might help you and others - make sure you understand the difference between "gross earnings" and "net pay" when reporting. NY DOL wants your GROSS earnings (before any deductions like taxes, insurance, etc.), not what you actually take home. I made this mistake early on and had to correct it later. Also, if your employer gives you any tips or bonuses, those count toward your gross earnings too and need to be reported. Keep all your pay stubs and write down your daily hours immediately - don't try to remember later because DOL is very strict about accuracy!

wait so if it says denied with relief that means approved?? this is so backwards lol why cant they just say APPROVED instead of using lawyer words

I'm dealing with something similar right now! When I called the NYS Department of Labor help line (after waiting on hold for 2 hours), the representative explained that "denied with relief" specifically means your initial denial was overturned through the appeals process. The "relief" part is the legal term for the remedy you received - basically the judge ruled in your favor and granted you relief from the original denial decision. You should see retroactive payments within 3-5 business days. Keep filing your weekly certifications while waiting for the back pay to process. Also double-check that all your banking info is correct in your account to avoid any payment delays.

UPDATE: My benefits FINALLY hit my KeyBank account this morning! It took exactly 32 days from when they were released. For anyone else waiting, hang in there - they do eventually come through. I'm definitely switching to direct deposit to my regular bank now though - never going through this stress again!

Wow, what a relief to see this thread! I'm dealing with the exact same nightmare - my benefits were released on 4/20 and it's now 5/16 with absolutely nothing in my KeyBank account. I've been checking obsessively every day thinking maybe I missed something. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful, especially knowing there's an official timeline now (May 24th). I had no idea about the option to switch to direct deposit with my regular bank - that's definitely my next move once this gets sorted out. The stress of not knowing when (or if) the money will show up is almost worse than being unemployed in the first place! Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and updates. It's nice to know we're not alone in this mess and that the money does eventually come through, even if it takes over a month. Keeping my fingers crossed that mine shows up soon!

definitely not public record but honestly the whole system feels so invasive anyway with all the job search requirements and verification stuff they make you do

Just wanted to add that I work in HR and can confirm - we absolutely cannot access unemployment records during background checks or hiring processes. The only time we'd know is if an applicant voluntarily mentions it or if we're the company that laid them off originally. Your unemployment history is protected information, so don't let privacy concerns prevent you from getting benefits you're entitled to. The stigma around unemployment is outdated anyway - most employers understand that layoffs happen and it doesn't reflect poorly on you as a candidate.

Just make sure you have all your pay stubs from the temp work when you file. NYS Department of Labor will verify your wages with the staffing agency anyway, but having documentation helps speed things up.

I went through this exact situation about 8 months ago with a temp job that lasted 4 months. Filed my claim online through the NYS DOL website and it was pretty straightforward. The key thing they ask is why your employment ended - just be honest that it was a temporary assignment that concluded due to lack of available work. Also, keep records of any communication with your staffing agency about looking for new placements since that shows you're actively seeking work. The whole process took about 3 weeks from filing to getting my first payment, but that included the mandatory waiting week. Don't let the temporary nature of the job discourage you from applying - you earned those benefits!