Just went through this last month! Got my first payment exactly 3 business days after completing my waiting week. Make sure you're checking both your bank account AND the payment history section on the DOL website - sometimes there's a delay between when it shows as processed vs when it actually hits your account. Also double check that your direct deposit info is correct in your profile, that can cause major delays if it's wrong.

Been waiting 6 days now since my waiting week ended and still nothing 😩 Direct deposit is set up correctly and I've been certifying every week. Starting to get worried something went wrong with my claim. Might have to try that claimyr thing everyone's mentioning if it doesn't show up by tomorrow

Just file the claim online through the my.ny.gov portal and answer all the questions honestly about why you left your job. NYS Department of Labor will make the determination based on your specific circumstances. The application process will walk you through everything you need to know.

For what it's worth, a reduction from 40 hours to 8 hours per week (an 80% cut) would almost certainly qualify as "good cause" under NYS Department of Labor guidelines. That's essentially forcing you to quit by making the job financially unsustainable. When you file your claim, make sure to emphasize that the hour reduction made it impossible to meet your basic living expenses and that you had no choice but to seek other employment. Document everything - old schedules, pay stubs showing the difference, any communication about the hour cuts. The key is showing that a reasonable person in your situation would have had to quit.

Keep documenting everything related to your layoff - any emails, notices, witness contact info, etc. If the initial adjudication doesn't go your way, you have appeal rights. But honestly, if it was a straightforward layoff due to company downsizing, I'd be surprised if they denied your claim. Employers often contest automatically as a matter of policy, even when they know the claim will be approved.

Don't give up hope - having a written layoff notice is huge in your favor! I went through something similar last year when my company did layoffs. Even though my employer contested, NYS DOL approved my claim once they reviewed the documentation. The waiting is brutal, I know, but try to stay patient. In the meantime, definitely keep certifying for benefits every week like others mentioned. Also, if you're really strapped for cash, look into local food banks and emergency assistance programs while you wait. Some counties have emergency rental assistance too if your situation gets desperate. You've got this!

Just a heads up - you can also set up quarterly estimated tax payments if you think you'll be on unemployment again this year. That way you won't get hit with a huge bill next tax season.

For what it's worth, I went through this exact same situation two years ago. I was terrified about owing a huge amount, but it ended up being manageable. If you can't pay the full amount when you file, the IRS has payment plan options available. Don't let the stress keep you from filing on time though - there are penalties for filing late that are worse than just owing money. Also, if you're still job searching, consider having taxes withheld from any future unemployment benefits to avoid this situation again.

If you're having trouble reaching the NYS Department of Labor to ask questions about the appeal process, there's a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that can help you get through to an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. I used it when my employer appealed and I needed to understand the hearing procedures.

Just wanted to say good luck! The fact that you were approved initially is a good sign. Document everything and don't let them intimidate you.