This whole system is so messed up! They expect you to take any job but then half the employers want you to jump through ridiculous hoops like drug tests, background checks, credit checks. Meanwhile NYS Department of Labor makes it impossible to actually talk to a human being when you have questions. I've been fighting with them for months over my claim status.

I went through something similar about 6 months ago. From what I learned, the NYS Department of Labor generally considers refusing a pre-employment drug test as withdrawing your application rather than refusing suitable work. The key distinction is that you never actually received a firm job offer - the drug test was a prerequisite TO getting the offer. I ended up calling the unemployment office (took forever to get through) and they confirmed that as long as you're still actively job searching and meeting your weekly requirements, this shouldn't affect your benefits. Just make sure you're documenting all your job search activities in case they ever audit your claim.

Just went through this same confusion last month! The NY DOL website actually has a countdown timer that shows when weekly certification opens - it's at the top of the page once you log in. Really helps take the guesswork out of it. Also, don't stress too much about the exact timing - I've claimed anywhere from Sunday morning to Wednesday and still got paid on the same Tuesday. The system is pretty forgiving as long as you get it done within the week!

Welcome to the unemployment filing world! Just filed my first claim last month too and was just as confused. One thing that really helped me was bookmarking the NY DOL login page and checking it Saturday night around 11:45 PM - you'll see the system update right at midnight and the "Weekly Certification" button becomes active. Also heads up - if you're planning to do it Sunday morning, have your coffee ready because the questions take about 10-15 minutes to complete properly. Better to be awake and focused than rush through it! Good luck! 🍀

Been doing this for 2 months now and haven't had any issues. Just stay consistent with your weekly claims and job searches and you'll be fine.

One thing I'd add is to make sure you're actively looking for work in your field or related fields. NYS DOL expects you to accept "suitable work" which generally means jobs that match your skills and pay at least 80% of your previous wage (after the first few weeks). Also, if you get called for an interview, you MUST go - turning down interviews without good cause can disqualify you from benefits. Keep track of all your activities in a spreadsheet or notebook with dates, company names, and what type of contact you made. It really helps to stay organized from the start rather than trying to recreate everything later if they ask for your records.

i just wanna add that i was in the same boat last year and honestly what worked for me was just showing up at the OTDA office in person with all my paperwork. they dont like to admit it but the squeaky wheel gets the grease with these programs. good luck!

I've been dealing with ERAP for months too and it's incredibly frustrating! One thing that helped me was creating a paper trail - I started sending emails to erap@otda.ny.gov with my application number in the subject line every week asking for status updates. Even though they rarely respond, it creates documentation that you've been trying to get information. Also, if you're really close to eviction, make sure you have documentation of your ERAP application when you go to housing court. Judges are usually willing to postpone proceedings if you can show you have a pending ERAP application. Bring your confirmation email and any correspondence you've received. The waiting is awful but don't give up - I know people who waited 4+ months and then suddenly got approved and had everything back-paid. Keep pushing through all the channels people mentioned above!

this whole system is rigged against people trying to do better. they want you to work but then make it impossible to survive while you're looking

I went through something similar when I got out 3 years ago. The key thing to understand is that you need to have "qualifying wages" from covered employment - basically jobs where your employer paid unemployment insurance taxes on your behalf. Prison work programs don't count because no UI taxes were paid. However, don't give up! There are workaround programs specifically for formerly incarcerated individuals. Contact your local American Job Center (One-Stop Career Center) - they have federal funding for reentry employment services. Also look into the Work Opportunity Tax Credit program, which gives employers incentives to hire people with criminal records. Some temp agencies specialize in helping people with records get that initial work history you need to eventually qualify for UI benefits. The system is frustrating, but there are people out there specifically trained to help navigate these barriers.