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good luck with this whole process - the unemployment system is such a nightmare to deal with especially when you're already stressed about health issues
I'm really sorry you're dealing with this health situation at work. From what I've read about NYS unemployment law, you should also keep a detailed log of your symptoms and how they relate to your work environment. Document dates when your asthma flares up at work, any incidents with chemical exposure, and your doctor visits. This creates a timeline that shows the connection between your workplace and your health issues. Also, if your company has an HR department, consider filing a formal complaint about the unsafe working conditions - this could strengthen your case that you had no reasonable alternative but to quit. The more documentation you have showing that your health deteriorated specifically due to work conditions, the stronger your unemployment claim will be.
Another option nobody's mentioned - some credit unions will cash government checks even if you're not a member. My friend used SEFCU (now Broadview) and they didn't charge him anything. Might be worth calling a few local credit unions to ask.
Thanks everyone for all the helpful advice! I tried KeyBank this morning and successfully cashed my check with just my driver's license. The line wasn't too bad (about 20 minutes) and they didn't charge any fees. For anyone else in this situation, just make sure to bring a government-issued photo ID and be prepared to have your thumbprint taken on the check. They were actually really nice about it!
Just wanted to add that if your benefit amount seems wrong when it finally shows up, you can appeal it. I had to do that because they miscalculated my base period earnings. The appeal process took another month but I ended up getting $75 more per week which added up over time.
Emma, I went through this same situation last year when I got laid off from my job. The "benefit amount pending" status is frustrating but pretty normal - it usually means they're verifying your wage records with your employer. In the meantime, you can try to estimate it yourself using the formula others mentioned. Take your highest earning quarter from last year, divide by 13 weeks, then take half of that amount. That should give you a rough idea. Also, make sure you're continuing to certify for benefits each week even while the amount is pending, otherwise you might miss out on back payments once it's approved.
yeah I quit too because of hostile work environment and got denied initially but won on appeal. The key is having witnesses who will back up your story. Get statements from coworkers if you can, even if they're just willing to confirm the manager's behavior. NYS Department of Labor takes workplace harassment seriously if you can prove it happened.
wait so you can get unemployment for quitting?? I thought that was impossible. my friend told me you have to get fired to qualify
@Statiia Aarssizan No, that s'a common misconception! You can potentially get unemployment after quitting, but only if you can prove you had good "cause -" like harassment, unsafe conditions, or other serious workplace issues. It s'definitely harder to get approved than if you were laid off, but it s'not impossible. The NYS Department of Labor will review each case individually to see if your reason for quitting was justified.
Michael Green
The job listings are hit or miss honestly. But sometimes they post about job fairs or training programs that aren't advertised elsewhere. I ended up getting a lead through a virtual job fair they posted about. Worth checking weekly at least.
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Maya Jackson
I'm in a similar boat - just hit my max benefit amount with months left on my BYE date. It's really discouraging when you're still actively looking for work. One thing I learned from calling around to different agencies is that some local workforce development centers have emergency assistance programs or can connect you with temporary work opportunities while you're between benefits. It might be worth reaching out to your local American Job Center or One-Stop Career Center to see what resources they have available. They sometimes know about programs that aren't widely advertised.
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