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Just keep in mind you still have to do job searches even with partial unemployment. Some people think since they have a job they don't need to look for other work but NYS Department of Labor still requires it unless you're on standby status.
@Mia Green I was in almost the exact same situation last month! Restaurant hours got slashed due to slow business and I was panicking about rent. Filed for partial unemployment through my.ny.gov and it was honestly pretty straightforward. The weekly certification is key - just be super honest about every dollar you earn that week. NYS calculates it automatically and you'll usually get a partial payment that helps bridge the gap. Definitely worth applying since involuntary hour reduction totally qualifies you. Don't stress about "getting in trouble" - you're doing exactly what the system is designed for!
You can also try messaging them through the online portal but don't expect a quick response. I sent a message 3 weeks ago and still haven't heard back. The whole system is just overwhelmed and understaffed.
Make sure you're checking your claim status regularly online too. Sometimes they'll request documents or information and if you miss it, your claim gets delayed even more. The NYS Department of Labor website isn't the greatest but it's usually faster than trying to reach someone by phone.
The unemployment system is so rigged against workers it's ridiculous. They expect you to have perfect attendance even when life happens. My friend got denied for missing work when her kid was in the hospital. HOSPITAL! But somehow that's not a good enough reason according to NYS Department of Labor. You almost need a lawyer for these appeals.
Quick question - did you check if your company has a progressive discipline policy? Like written warning first, then suspension, then termination? If they skipped steps that could help your case too
That could actually work in your favor! If their employee handbook requires progressive discipline and they jumped straight from one verbal warning to termination, that shows they didn't follow their own procedures. Make sure to bring a copy of the employee handbook to your hearing if you still have it. The judge will want to see if proper protocol was followed.
sounds to me like u need to talk to a live agent ASAP before your deadline hits. I was in the same boat last month - website kept crashing, phone lines always busy. I finally used claimyr.com and got connected to a rep who submitted my appeal over the phone. Saved my claim and got all my backpay. worth every penny vs losing all those benefits.
OMG this is giving me flashbacks to when I tried to file my initial claim last year! The NY DOL website is absolutely horrible. What finally worked for me was using a really old computer at my local workforce development center - they have public computers specifically for unemployment stuff and the staff there knows all the workarounds. Also, definitely document everything like others said - take screenshots of every error, write down times you tried, etc. The appeals deadline can be extended if you can prove their system was broken. Don't give up, the construction industry layoffs are totally legitimate reasons for benefits and you deserve that money!
Sophie Duck
Wait so there's really no annual limit? That seems weird because I thought there was some kind of cap on total benefits you could collect in a year. Maybe I'm thinking of something else though.
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Savannah Vin
•You're probably thinking of the maximum benefit amount per claim, which is 26 weeks of regular UI benefits. But you can have multiple claims in a year if your circumstances change and you meet the wage requirements for each new claim.
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Yara Haddad
Just wanted to add that when you reapply, make sure to report all your work and wages from your temporary job accurately. NYS DOL will verify this with employers anyway, so being upfront about everything helps avoid delays. Also, if you're eligible to reopen your existing claim from January, that's usually faster than filing a brand new application. You can check your benefit year end date by logging into your my.ny.gov account - it should show when your current benefit year expires.
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Oliver Fischer
•This is really helpful advice! I'm in a similar boat and had no idea I could check my benefit year end date online. Quick question - when you say "report all work and wages accurately," do you mean just from the temporary job that ended, or do I need to report every single week I worked during that period, even if it was just a few days here and there?
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