Just to add - the 26 weeks starts from when you first become eligible, not when you file. So if there was any delay in processing your initial claim, that doesn't eat into your 26 weeks. Also make sure you're doing your job search requirements or they can stop your benefits even if you have weeks left.

I went through something similar when I lost my job in retail last year. One thing that really helped me was keeping track of my benefit weeks in a spreadsheet - I wrote down each week I claimed, the amount, and how many weeks I had left. The NYS DOL website has a section in your account where you can see your remaining balance, but sometimes it's not super clear. Also, don't forget that if you do any part-time work while collecting, you need to report it but you might still get partial benefits depending on how much you earn. The key is staying on top of your weekly certifications and keeping good records of your job search activities.

Just went through this myself! Got my first payment exactly 3 weeks after filing. The key is making sure you certify for benefits every week even during the waiting period.

I'm in a similar situation - filed my claim 10 days ago after being laid off from my marketing job. The uncertainty is really tough, especially with monthly expenses coming up. From what I've read on the DOL website, they recommend calling if your claim has been pending for more than 4 weeks, but getting through on the phone seems nearly impossible. Has anyone had luck with the online chat feature during business hours?

Just file online and see what happens. The worst they can do is deny it and then you can appeal if needed.

I went through this same situation last year - filed a new claim about 8 months after my previous one ended. The key thing is having enough work history between claims like others mentioned. When you file online at labor.ny.gov, the system will automatically check if you meet the wage requirements. If you worked full-time at your new job for several months, you should be fine. Just make sure to have your employment dates and wage information ready when you apply. The whole process was pretty straightforward for me once I had all the documentation together.

Just to add - even though you don't pay into it directly, you do 'earn' unemployment benefits by working and having your employer pay those taxes on your behalf. So you're still building up eligibility even without direct contributions from your paycheck.

This thread is really helpful! I'm new to NY from California and was worried I was missing something when I didn't see UI deductions. It's actually kind of nice that we don't have that extra deduction from our paychecks here. Does anyone know roughly what percentage employers pay? Just curious how the funding works on their end.

I always certify on Wednesday afternoons around 2-3pm and never have any problems. Most people probably do it on weekends so weekdays are way better

I usually certify on Tuesday evenings around 7-8pm and it's been pretty smooth. The system seems less congested then compared to Sunday mornings. One tip I learned is to have all your work search information ready beforehand - employer names, contact info, dates you applied, etc. It makes the whole process much faster and reduces the chance of timing out while you're looking up information.