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.

Just adding my 2 cents - definitely keep track of EVERYTHING. Job applications, networking events, career fairs, even informational interviews can count as job contacts. The more detailed your records the better. I made a simple spreadsheet with dates, company names, contact methods, and follow-up actions. NYS Department of Labor wants to see that you're making genuine efforts to find work.

@Amara Chukwu - Since you worked for 2 years at the same job, you should definitely qualify for the full 26 weeks of benefits in New York. Your cousin and neighbor were both partially right - it is typically 26 weeks (about 6 months), but it does depend on your work history during the "base period" which is usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you filed your claim. The key things to remember: file your weekly claims on time every week, keep detailed records of at least 3 job search activities per week (applications, networking, interviews, etc.), and be available for work. Don't stress too much about the paperwork - it becomes routine after the first few weeks. You've got this!