So happy for you!! Mine came like that too - one per day for most of them, then the last two came together on the fourth day. The DOL really should explain this better on their website instead of making everyone panic and think something's wrong!

This thread is so helpful! I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - got my first back payment yesterday but still waiting on 3 more weeks. Reading everyone's experiences here makes me feel way less anxious about it. It's crazy how the NY unemployment system works but doesn't explain any of this to claimants. Going to check my account tonight around 6pm like Omar suggested to see if there are any updates. Really appreciate everyone sharing their timelines and what actually happened with their payments!

wait so you dont have to work somewhere for like 6 months or a year to get unemployment?? i thought there was a minimum time requirement at each job

I was in a similar situation last year - started a job in February and had to leave by June due to hostile work environment. The key thing is that NYS DOL will look at ALL your previous employment, not just your most recent job. So if you worked anywhere in the past 15-18 months and earned enough during that base period, you should qualify. Just make sure you document everything about those schedule changes - dates, times, any emails or texts about last-minute changes. That documentation could be crucial if you need to prove you had good cause for leaving.

Just want to echo what others said - quitting to go to school typically won't qualify you for UI benefits. There are some training programs that might allow you to collect while in school, but you'd need to be laid off first and then get approved for the training. Check with your local career center about approved training programs.

Just to add some practical advice - if you're really considering this path, you might want to look into whether your employer offers any educational assistance or leave of absence options first. Some companies will work with you on flexible schedules or even tuition reimbursement for job-related training. Also, check if there are any evening or weekend programs available so you could potentially keep working while training. The unemployment system really isn't designed to support voluntary career changes, so exploring other options first might save you a lot of headaches.

I went through something similar when I was fired for attendance issues related to my kids getting sick frequently. The key thing that helped me was being completely honest about the circumstances when I filed. I explained the childcare situation in detail and provided documentation like daycare closure notices and pediatrician notes. NYS Department of Labor actually approved my claim because they determined it wasn't willful misconduct - just unfortunate circumstances. Don't let the fear of denial stop you from filing immediately. The worst thing you can do is wait, because there are strict deadlines for filing claims. Good luck!

I'm dealing with something similar right now after getting let go for attendance issues. Reading through everyone's experiences here is really helpful. One thing I wanted to add is that when you file your claim, don't just focus on the transportation and childcare problems - also mention any efforts you made to address the tardiness issue with your employer. Did you ever ask about flexible start times, offer to stay late to make up time, or suggest any other accommodations? NYS Department of Labor looks at whether you tried to resolve the situation in good faith. Even if your employer wasn't willing to work with you, showing that you attempted to find solutions can help demonstrate that your termination wasn't due to willful misconduct. Also, if you have any performance reviews or documentation showing you were a good employee otherwise, include that too.

The financial hardship route for waivers is actually easier than most people think. You need to show that paying back the overpayment would prevent you from meeting basic living expenses. Include bank statements, rent/mortgage payments, utility bills, and any other essential expenses. NYS Department of Labor uses specific income thresholds but they're not published publicly.

I went through this exact same situation last year with a $3,100 overpayment. What really helped my case was gathering every piece of documentation I could find - screenshots of the online reporting system from when I filed, printouts of the guidance pages I followed, even my browser history showing I was trying to do it correctly. NYS Department of Labor approved my waiver based on "agency error" because their online system had confusing instructions about part-time work reporting. The key is showing you made a good faith effort to comply. Also, don't wait too long to file - there are deadlines for waiver requests that aren't always clearly stated.