Just want to add - even if you don't qualify initially, you can always appeal the decision. A lot of people give up after the first denial but the appeal process exists for a reason. Document everything and don't be afraid to fight for your benefits if you truly had good cause to quit.

I was in a similar situation about a year ago - toxic manager, constantly changing schedules, and feeling like I was being set up to fail. What helped me was keeping a detailed log of every incident with dates and times. I also started responding to my manager's schedule change texts with something like "Just confirming you're changing my schedule from X to Y with less than 24 hours notice" to create a paper trail. When I finally did quit and applied for UI, having that documentation made all the difference. The key is showing a pattern of unreasonable behavior from your employer that would make any reasonable person quit. Don't just quit impulsively - build your case first if you can.

Just remember you have to keep certifying weekly and doing your job search activities or they'll cut off your payments. Don't get comfortable just because you're approved - stay on top of all the requirements!

Another thing to keep in mind - your weekly benefit amount might look different than expected if you had irregular hours or multiple jobs during your base period. NYS DOL looks at the 4 quarters before you filed, so if you had any gaps in employment or seasonal work, that could affect the calculation. Also, if you're doing any part-time work while collecting, they'll reduce your weekly payment by 25% of whatever you earn over $143. Make sure to report any earnings when you certify each week or you could end up owing money back later.

While you're waiting for adjudication, make sure you keep filing your weekly claims even though you're not getting paid yet. If you miss filing weeks, you could lose those benefits permanently even after your issues are resolved. Also, document every attempt you make to contact NYS Department of Labor - dates, times, how long you waited on hold. This information can be helpful if you need to file an appeal later or if there are any questions about your job search efforts during this period.

Have you tried contacting your local assembly member or state senator's office? Their constituent services departments often have direct lines to NYS Department of Labor and can help escalate stuck cases. I had a similar situation last year where my claim was pending for 5 weeks, and after my assembly member's office made one call, I got a determination within 3 days. They don't charge anything for this service and it's part of what they do for constituents. You can find your representatives at nysenate.gov and assembly.state.ny.us by entering your zip code. Worth a shot while you're also trying the other suggestions people have given.

The immigration stuff is separate from unemployment but yeah you need to be careful. Keep documenting your job search efforts for NYS Department of Labor and also for immigration purposes. Some visa types require you to maintain status and prolonged unemployment could affect that.

I went through something similar on an H-1B visa. The 90-day thing your lawyer mentioned is likely about maintaining lawful status - some visa types have grace periods or requirements about actively seeking work. NYS Department of Labor unemployment benefits themselves don't have a 90-day cutoff for visa holders, but your immigration status could be affected. I'd recommend getting specific guidance from your immigration attorney about your visa type and also maybe reaching out to NYS Department of Labor directly to confirm there aren't any special reporting requirements for your situation. Better to be proactive than find out later there was something you should have done differently.

You raise valid points about job quality. NYS Department of Labor is actually working on this through their economic development partnerships. They're focusing on attracting tech companies, green energy projects, and advanced manufacturing. These create higher-paying jobs that require the kind of training programs they're expanding. It's a long-term strategy but the pieces are connecting.

I think one major issue is that the current system focuses too much on quantity of job applications rather than quality. The weekly job search requirements push people to apply for anything just to meet the quota, which wastes everyone's time - both job seekers and employers. NYS Department of Labor could improve by offering more personalized career coaching and helping people target jobs that actually match their skills and salary needs. Also, they should streamline the communication process - if people can't even get through to discuss available programs, how can the system work effectively?