Henry, I went through something similar last year. Performance issues alone typically don't constitute misconduct unless there was willful negligence or insubordination. The key question is whether you were genuinely trying to do your job vs. deliberately violating policies. As for the freelance work, as long as you reported it properly and it didn't interfere with your main job duties, it shouldn't disqualify you. I'd strongly recommend applying - NYS Department of Labor will review your specific case and make the determination. You can always appeal if they initially deny you. The application is free and you have nothing to lose by trying.

Henry, I'd definitely echo what others have said about applying anyway. I was in a similar situation where I was terminated for "poor performance" after struggling to meet sales targets, and I was convinced I'd be automatically disqualified. Turns out NYS Department of Labor approved my claim because they determined it wasn't misconduct - just a poor fit between my skills and the job requirements. The key distinction they look for is whether you were willfully violating company policies or just unable to perform despite good faith efforts. From what you've described, it sounds like you were trying your best but had performance struggles, which is very different from misconduct. The freelance work shouldn't be an issue as long as you can show it didn't conflict with your primary employment. Don't let fear of rejection stop you from potentially getting benefits you're entitled to - the application process is straightforward and you'll get a clear answer either way.

same thing happened to my cousin except she waited like 3 months to reapply thinking she had to wait and missed out on benefits she could have gotten. definitely dont wait!

I work for a local nonprofit that helps people navigate unemployment benefits, and I can confirm what others have said - you can absolutely reapply right away! Since you're only getting 10 hours/week now, you'll likely qualify for partial benefits. One tip: when you file your new claim online, have your pay stubs from the past 18 months ready because they'll need to verify your work history. Also, don't forget to report your part-time wages each week when you certify - as long as you're earning less than your weekly benefit amount plus $50, you can still get some unemployment money. The system is designed to help people in exactly your situation!

just file online its pretty straightforward, took me like 15 minutes when i reapplied in november

I went through this same process a few months ago after my benefits expired. The key thing is that you need to have earned enough wages in your new base period to qualify - they'll look at your earnings from about 15 months ago up to 3 months ago. Since you've been working part-time since September, you should have enough recent work history. Just be prepared that your weekly benefit amount might be different from your previous claim depending on how much you earned during that base period. The online application really is pretty quick once you have all your info ready.

same boat here, got let go last month and still trying to figure this out. the nys department of labor website makes my head spin with all the rules

I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago - also got laid off from my first "real" job and had no idea what I was doing with unemployment. The good news is that based on what you've shared, you should definitely qualify! You worked full-time for 8 months and made $45k, so you'll easily meet the wage requirements. The fact that you were laid off (not fired for cause or quit) is the main thing that matters for eligibility. My advice: don't get too bogged down trying to understand every single rule on the NYS Department of Labor website before applying. Just start the online application - it walks you through everything step by step and is much clearer than their general information pages. You can always call or chat with them if you run into specific issues during the process. The hardest part is honestly just getting started!

Two weeks isn't that long for adjudication honestly. I know it feels like forever when you're waiting for money but thats pretty normal timing for NYS Department of Labor. The unemployment rate being 4.2% or whatever doesn't really matter for your specific situation.

Actually, while the overall unemployment percentage doesn't directly affect individual claim processing times, there can be some indirect effects during periods of high unemployment. When unemployment spikes significantly (like during economic downturns), NYS Department of Labor sometimes implements emergency measures or temporary programs. But at the current 4.2% rate, which is considered relatively normal, you shouldn't expect any special expedited processing. Your 8 months of retail work should definitely qualify you - just hang in there, two weeks is still within the normal timeframe even though I know it's stressful waiting for that first payment.