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ugh the whole system is so complicated!! why cant they just make it simple instead of having different rules for everything
@Anastasia Sokolov I made the same mistake initially! Even though we "earned" the right to unemployment benefits by working and paying into the system, the IRS and most agencies classify the actual benefit payments as unearned income because you're not actively working while receiving them. You might want to go back and correct any forms where you listed it as earned income - it could affect your eligibility for certain programs or cause issues with tax filings. The logic is that earned income comes from current work activity, while unearned income includes things like unemployment benefits, Social Security, pensions, etc.
I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Filed my claim on September 30th and got those two letters within the first week, but it's been radio silence since then. The waiting is absolutely killing me - I keep refreshing my payment history page hoping something will magically appear. Reading through everyone's experiences here is both reassuring and terrifying at the same time. It sounds like 3-4 weeks is the new normal, which means I've still got another week or two to go. Has anyone had luck calling early in the morning or later in the evening to get through to someone?
Hey Javier! I've been trying different times too and honestly haven't had much luck. Early morning (like 8-8:30am) seems slightly better than midday, but still mostly busy signals. I read somewhere that Tuesdays and Wednesdays might be less busy than Mondays, but who knows if that's actually true. The whole system is just overwhelmed right now. At least we know we're not alone in this nightmare waiting game! Keep me posted if you manage to get through - I'm curious if they'll give us any real updates on our claims.
I'm in a similar situation - filed September 22nd and got those same initial letters but nothing since! The waiting is so nerve-wracking, especially when you're trying to budget with no idea when payments will actually start. I've been keeping detailed notes of all my certification dates and checking the payment history obsessively. One tip I found helpful: I set up text alerts through my bank so I'll know immediately if any deposits come through. Also been screenshotting everything in case I need proof later. It's frustrating that there's no clear timeline or status updates, but reading everyone's experiences here makes me feel less alone in this process. Fingers crossed we all see some movement soon!
Have you considered talking to a lawyer about workplace harassment first? Sometimes threatening legal action can improve the situation without you having to quit.
I went through something similar about 6 months ago. The key thing NYS Department of Labor looks for is whether you made "reasonable efforts" to resolve the situation before quitting. In my case, I had to show that I complained to HR in writing, requested a transfer, and documented specific incidents with dates and witness names. I also had to prove that the working conditions were "so intolerable that a reasonable person would have been compelled to resign." It's a high bar, but not impossible if you build a solid paper trail. Start documenting everything now - emails, incidents, witnesses, and any attempts you make to address the issues through proper channels. Good luck!
This is really helpful, thank you! Can you clarify what you mean by "reasonable person would have been compelled to resign"? I'm wondering if constant criticism and unreasonable demands would meet that standard, or if it needs to be more severe like harassment or discrimination? Also, when you say witness names - did you need coworkers to actually testify or was it enough to just mention who was present during incidents?
anyone else notice that the payment hits your account a day later when ur on extended benefits? regular UI always came tuesday for me but extended benefits hits wednesday for some reason
Update: I certified yesterday for my final week of regular benefits. The system didn't show anything different, but today I got a message in my account saying I'm eligible for extended benefits! It says I need to continue certifying weekly and that my weekly benefit amount will stay the same. It also mentioned the increased work search requirements (5 activities per week). Thanks everyone for your help and advice!
That's fantastic news! So glad it worked out smoothly for you. Just a heads up - I've been on extended benefits for about 6 weeks now and they really do check your work search activities more carefully. I got a request to provide details about my job search activities from week 3, so definitely keep good records of everything (company names, dates, how you applied, etc.). Also, the "suitable work" requirements can be tricky - I had to turn down a job that was only 75% of my previous wage but accept one that was 85% even though it was a completely different field. Good luck with everything!
Congratulations on getting approved! That's such a relief when the system works as it should. I'm in a similar situation - my regular benefits end in about 3 weeks and I've been worried about the transition. Your post gives me hope that it might go smoothly. Quick question - did you get any notification before your last regular payment that extended benefits were being processed, or did the message just appear after you certified? Also, thanks to everyone who shared their experiences here - this thread has been incredibly helpful for understanding what to expect!
Ethan Taylor
One thing to remember is that if you don't qualify for a new regular UI claim, you might still be eligible for extended benefits depending on the unemployment rate. But those programs come and go, so check with NYS Department of Labor when you file.
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Sean Doyle
•Good point! I hadn't thought about extended benefits. Are those automatic or do I need to apply separately?
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Emma Bianchi
I'm in a similar situation - my benefits are ending soon too. From what I've researched, you can file immediately when your benefit year ends, but the key thing is whether you've earned enough wages since your last claim started. NYS Department of Labor looks at your "base period" which is typically the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters. If you only worked part-time or sporadically during your claim, your new benefit amount might be significantly lower. I'd suggest gathering all your wage statements from any work you did during your claim period before you apply - you'll need those to show your earnings.
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Edward McBride
•This is really helpful info, thanks! I've been keeping track of my part-time work but wasn't sure about the base period calculation. Do you know if there's a minimum amount you need to earn during that base period to qualify? I'm worried my 6 weeks of part-time work might not be enough to get a decent benefit amount.
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