Construction work is seasonal though, right? You might qualify for standby status if your employer expects to bring you back. That could affect how your benefits work.

Sorry to hear about the layoff after 8 years - that's really tough. Just to clarify one thing about the 26 weeks: while that's the maximum for regular state unemployment, you should also check if you qualify for any federal programs or workforce development assistance given your construction background. Sometimes there are additional resources for workers in trades who've been with the same employer long-term. Your local One-Stop Career Center might have information about retraining programs or extended benefits you could be eligible for. Worth looking into while you're collecting your regular UI benefits.

Don't give up! I was unemployed for 16 months and thought I'd never work again. What finally worked was being completely honest in interviews about what I learned during that time and how it made me more motivated. Some employers actually see long-term unemployment as making you less likely to job hop.

I went through something similar after being laid off and struggled for over a year. What really helped me was the NYS Department of Labor's "Mature Worker Program" - they have specialized counselors who understand the challenges of long-term unemployment and age discrimination. They also connected me with employers who specifically value experienced workers. Don't overlook their apprenticeship programs either - some are open to career changers and provide paid training. The key is persistence and not taking rejections personally. You have value and experience that someone needs!

Broooo i went thru this and finally got my $10,000+ in backpay after 9 months of fighting. The ONLY thing that worked was getting my case escalated by a sympathetic agent using claimyr.com to connect faster without waiting on hold for hours. The fraud department eventually called me, verified my identity again, and released everything within 48 hours. Stay persistent!

This is absolutely infuriating and unfortunately way too common. I'm dealing with something similar - been stuck since October 2022 with a fraud flag that makes zero sense. The system is completely broken and designed to exhaust you into giving up. From reading all these responses, it seems like the multi-pronged approach is the way to go: use claimyr.com to actually get through to helpful agents, contact your state representative AND assembly member, file complaints with the governor's office, and keep detailed records of every interaction. Don't let them wear you down - you're entitled to those benefits and they're hoping you'll just disappear. The fact that so many people have eventually succeeded gives me hope we can all get through this nightmare!

Just file as soon as you're eligible, don't overthink it. The system will tell you if there are any issues with your dates or payments.

One thing to keep in mind - make sure you file your initial claim online rather than trying to call. The NYS DOL website is usually much faster and you can do it 24/7. When you file, you'll create your weekly claim schedule (they'll assign you specific days to certify each week). Also, even though your vacation pay won't delay your initial claim filing, it might reduce your benefit amount for that first week depending on how much it is. Good luck with everything!

The whole system is ridiculous if you ask me. You pay into unemployment insurance but then when you actually need time off for something important like having a baby they tell you you're not eligible because you're not 'available for work.' Meanwhile they created this whole separate program with different rules and probably different application processes. Why can't they just make it simple?

I just went through this process myself earlier this year! @Connor O'Brien is absolutely right - you won't qualify for regular unemployment while on maternity leave, but New York's Paid Family Leave is what you want to look into. You can get up to 12 weeks of PFL at 67% of your average weekly wage (up to a cap). The application is through your employer or their insurance carrier, not through the unemployment system. Also, for the actual birth/recovery period, you may qualify for short-term disability benefits which is separate from both UI and PFL. I'd recommend calling your HR department first to ask about both PFL and disability benefits - they should be able to walk you through the process since they handle the paperwork on their end.