Just report everything honestly when you do your weekly claim. The online system will calculate your reduced benefit automatically once you enter your work hours and gross pay. It's actually pretty straightforward once you get used to it.

@Andre Lefebvre - You're smart to ask about this upfront! I went through the exact same situation a few months ago. When you do your weekly certification on the NYS Department of Labor website, there's a specific section where they ask if you worked and how much you earned. Just enter your gross earnings for that week (before taxes). The system automatically calculates your reduced benefit. In your case with $270 weekly earnings, you'll still get a decent portion of your $504 benefit. The key is being consistent about reporting it every single week - don't skip even one week thinking "it's just part-time." That's where people get into trouble with overpayments later.

One more important thing: if you're expecting to be laid off, don't apply until after your last day of work. Applying early can create complications. When you do apply, make sure to have the following ready: - Your SSN - NY State driver's license or ID card number - Your complete work history for the last 18 months (employer names, addresses, phone numbers) - Alien registration card if you're not a US citizen - Form SF8 and SF50 if you were a federal employee - Your DD-214 if you served in the military And remember to claim your weekly benefits every week after you've applied, even if your application is still pending!

Just wanted to add something that might help - if you do get laid off and apply, keep detailed records of everything! Screenshot your application, save confirmation emails, and keep a log of any phone calls or correspondence with the DOL. I learned this the hard way when I had to reapply last year. Having documentation saved me so much time when they asked me to verify information later. Also, if you're in a union, check with your rep - sometimes they have additional resources or can help navigate any issues that come up. Good luck with everything, and I hope the layoffs don't actually happen!

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - filed in late February after getting laid off from my marketing job and still waiting for my first payment. The uncertainty is the worst part because you can't plan anything or know when relief is coming. One thing I learned from calling multiple times is to ask specifically about the "issue code" on your claim. Sometimes there are technical holds that aren't related to the firing investigation - like address verification or identity confirmation - that can be resolved quickly once you know about them. The first few agents I spoke to just said "it's under review" but when I finally got someone more knowledgeable, they found a simple documentation issue that had been holding things up for weeks. Also, document every phone call you make - date, time, agent name if they give it, and what they told you. The information can be inconsistent between agents, and having a record helps when you need to escalate or reference previous conversations. Hang in there - it sounds like you're doing all the right things with the hardship request and state rep contact. That combination usually gets results.

I'm going through something similar right now - filed in early March after being terminated and it's been radio silence from NYSDOL ever since. Reading through all these responses is both helpful and terrifying at the same time! The fact that so many people are waiting 8-12 weeks is absolutely insane. I've been trying to call daily but can never get through. @Nia Davis thank you for sharing your experience and update - it gives me hope that being persistent and using multiple approaches (hardship request + state rep) might actually work. I'm definitely going to try that Claimyr service that @CosmicCrusader mentioned, and I'll ask about the "issue code" when I finally get through to someone. The idea that my claim could be sitting in some digital pile while I stress about rent is infuriating. Has anyone had luck with the online chat feature or is calling still the only way to get real information? I feel like I'm spending hours every day just trying to reach a human being who can tell me what's happening with my own claim.

This reminds me of when my cousin went through the same thing last summer. She was panicking about not getting her back pay but it all worked out. The waiting is the worst part but NYS Department of Labor does pay what they owe you. Stay strong!

Just went through this exact situation a few months ago! The waiting is nerve-wracking but you should definitely get your back pay. One tip - check your online account regularly because sometimes the payments show up there before you get any notification. Also, if you have direct deposit set up, the money usually hits your account faster than waiting for a paper check. Hope you get your payments soon and can catch up on those bills!

If you're having trouble getting through to NYS Department of Labor to discuss your case or need to speak with someone about the appeal process, I used claimyr.com recently when I needed to reach an agent quickly. They have a service that gets you connected to actual NYS Department of Labor representatives without waiting on hold forever. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Really helpful when you're dealing with time-sensitive unemployment issues like employer appeals.

I'm also dealing with a similar situation right now. One thing I learned is that you should also check if your state has specific guidelines about what constitutes "misconduct" versus just poor performance. In NY, the misconduct has to be willful and work-related. Being consistently late might qualify if you have documented warnings and a clear attendance policy that the employee acknowledged. Make sure you can show that the employee knew the consequences of their actions and continued the behavior anyway. Also keep copies of everything you send to NYS Department of Labor for your records.