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File immediately! Don't overthink it. I filed on a Wednesday when I got laid off and started getting benefits the following week after my waiting week. The key is just getting in the system ASAP.
I just went through this process a few months ago when I lost my retail job. Here's what worked for me: file your initial claim online immediately - don't wait even a day. The sooner you file, the sooner your benefit year starts. For weekly claims, I always file on Sunday afternoons around 2-3pm when the system seems most stable. You'll be claiming benefits for the week that just ended, so your first weekly claim would be filed the Sunday after your first full week of unemployment. One tip - keep detailed records of your job search activities from day one because they'll ask for that info when you certify. The whole process is less scary than it seems once you get started!
Just wanted to add that if your benefit amount seems wrong when it finally shows up, you can appeal it. I had to do that because they miscalculated my base period earnings. The appeal process took another month but I ended up getting $75 more per week which added up over time.
Emma, I went through this same situation last year when I got laid off from my job. The "benefit amount pending" status is frustrating but pretty normal - it usually means they're verifying your wage records with your employer. In the meantime, you can try to estimate it yourself using the formula others mentioned. Take your highest earning quarter from last year, divide by 13 weeks, then take half of that amount. That should give you a rough idea. Also, make sure you're continuing to certify for benefits each week even while the amount is pending, otherwise you might miss out on back payments once it's approved.
THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS BROKEN! They disqualify people for the stupidest reasons then make it impossible to fix. I've been disqualified THREE TIMES for things that weren't even my fault. Each time takes months to sort out while you're left with nothing.
I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Got disqualified out of nowhere and can't figure out why. The stress is killing me because I have bills due next week. One thing that helped me was creating an account on the NY.gov website and checking EVERY section - sometimes the determination letters show up in weird places. Also try calling the technical support line (not the claims line) - they can sometimes see system notes that explain the disqualification even if you haven't gotten the official letter yet. Hang in there, most of these end up being fixable once you understand what triggered it.
Another option nobody's mentioned - some credit unions will cash government checks even if you're not a member. My friend used SEFCU (now Broadview) and they didn't charge him anything. Might be worth calling a few local credit unions to ask.
Thanks everyone for all the helpful advice! I tried KeyBank this morning and successfully cashed my check with just my driver's license. The line wasn't too bad (about 20 minutes) and they didn't charge any fees. For anyone else in this situation, just make sure to bring a government-issued photo ID and be prepared to have your thumbprint taken on the check. They were actually really nice about it!
Michael Green
The job listings are hit or miss honestly. But sometimes they post about job fairs or training programs that aren't advertised elsewhere. I ended up getting a lead through a virtual job fair they posted about. Worth checking weekly at least.
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Maya Jackson
I'm in a similar boat - just hit my max benefit amount with months left on my BYE date. It's really discouraging when you're still actively looking for work. One thing I learned from calling around to different agencies is that some local workforce development centers have emergency assistance programs or can connect you with temporary work opportunities while you're between benefits. It might be worth reaching out to your local American Job Center or One-Stop Career Center to see what resources they have available. They sometimes know about programs that aren't widely advertised.
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NeonNomad
•That's really helpful, thanks! I didn't even know about American Job Centers. I'll definitely look into what's available in my area. It's frustrating that we have to dig around to find these resources when we're already stressed about running out of benefits, but I appreciate you sharing what you learned.
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