Thank you all for the advice. I'm going to try applying anyway when the time comes and make sure I document everything leading up to my last day. Will probably use that Claimyr service to actually reach someone since it sounds impossible to get through otherwise. If anyone has successfully navigated this specific situation I'd really appreciate hearing what worked. This whole thing is so stressful.

I'm really sorry you're going through this situation. As someone new to this community, I've been reading through all the responses and it seems like you're getting solid advice from people who've been through similar experiences. The documentation tip from Oliver is especially important - make sure you keep records of everything. One thing I noticed is that you mentioned the testing alternative costs $150/week. Have you checked if your health insurance might cover any of that cost? Some plans do cover regular testing for employment purposes. Also, since you're already job hunting (which is smart), you might want to look into whether any potential new employers offer signing bonuses that could help bridge any gap in income if unemployment doesn't work out. Hang in there - this is definitely a tough spot to be in, but it sounds like you're approaching it thoughtfully and getting prepared for different scenarios.

The whole unemployment system is so messed up. They make it impossible to reach anyone and then wonder why people are frustrated. At least if you do get fired for performance you have a decent shot at getting benefits approved.

I went through something similar last year - got fired for not meeting sales quotas despite really trying my best. NYS Department of Labor approved my benefits because they determined it wasn't misconduct, just a poor fit for the role. The key thing is to document everything now while you're still employed - save any emails about performance expectations, feedback from your supervisor, evidence that you're making efforts to improve, etc. This documentation can be really helpful if your employer contests your claim later. Also, even if the worst happens, remember that getting fired for performance issues is different from getting fired for breaking rules or policy violations. You've got a good chance of qualifying for benefits.

I'm in literally the exact same situation! I just checked my transcript after seeing this post and I have the same 291 code with a negative amount from last month. I've been so confused about what it meant but reading everyone's experiences here is giving me hope that it's actually a refund coming. The whole unemployment tax situation has been such a mess - I paid extra taxes when I filed in early 2021 before they changed the rules. It's crazy that they're finally fixing this automatically instead of making us jump through more hoops. Definitely going to be checking my bank account daily now! Thanks for posting this, it's so helpful to hear from others going through the same thing.

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Just saw the 291 code with a negative amount on my transcript from a few weeks ago and had no clue what it meant until I found this thread. It's such a relief to see so many people confirming they actually received their refunds - I was worried it was some kind of mistake or that I'd have to jump through more hoops to get the money. The whole unemployment tax situation has been such a headache. I filed early in 2021 and paid taxes on all my unemployment benefits, then months later they changed the rules. At least they're fixing it automatically instead of making us amend our returns. Based on what everyone's saying here, sounds like I should expect the deposit in the next few weeks. Finally some good news after dealing with all the NY unemployment chaos! Thanks for posting this question - it's so helpful to hear from others in the same boat.

My brother had this exact same issue last month and it turned out he accidentally answered one of the certification questions wrong. They never tell you which one! He had to call and straighten it out. Took forever to get through though. BTW my payment is showing up normal this week so maybe it's not affecting everyone?

Just wanted to follow up for anyone still checking this thread - I experienced the same delay last week and it resolved exactly as others described. My payment showed up Wednesday morning instead of the usual Tuesday. The key thing I learned is to check the desktop version of the NY.gov unemployment portal rather than just the mobile app, since system notifications are more visible there. Also, if this happens again in the future, don't panic immediately - give it 48 hours during system maintenance periods before calling. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences here, it really helped calm my nerves!

Just went through this same thing with a rental assistance program. They specifically told me unemployment doesn't count as public assistance but it DOES count as income that they need to verify. So make sure you have your benefit determination letter ready.

I just want to add that if you're applying for federal programs, they often have very specific definitions. For example, HUD housing programs typically don't consider unemployment as "public assistance" but they do count it as income. State programs can vary though. I'd recommend looking for the program's definition section in their application materials - they usually spell out exactly what they consider public assistance. Good luck with your applications!