I've been working seasonal jobs in NY for about 5 years now (summer tour guide, winter retail) and just want to echo what everyone's saying about being thorough with your documentation. One thing I learned the hard way is to keep copies of EVERYTHING - not just pay stubs but also your hiring paperwork that shows the seasonal dates, any emails about end-of-season layoffs, even your work schedules if they show the seasonal pattern. I got hit with a ton of questions during my eligibility review because my work history looked "inconsistent" to them at first glance. Also, regarding the job search requirements - I've had good luck being honest about my seasonal pattern but also showing I'm open to transitional work. So I'll apply to seasonal positions for next year but also include things like temporary holiday work or short-term contracts that fit my off-season availability. The key is showing you're genuinely looking for work that makes sense for your situation, not just going through the motions. And definitely try that online chat feature someone mentioned - it's way easier than the phone lines!

Just wanted to jump in and share my experience as someone who's been doing seasonal work in NY for about 7 years now. I do summer work at state parks and winter snow removal for municipalities. The unemployment process definitely felt overwhelming at first, but it's become much more routine once you understand the system. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that if you work for government entities (like I do), sometimes the rules can be slightly different - they might have more detailed records of your seasonal employment which can actually help your case. Also, I've found it helpful to start preparing your unemployment application while you're still working your last few weeks of the season. Get all your documentation together, review your work history, and maybe even start researching job opportunities for your search requirements. That way you can file right away when your season ends instead of scrambling to get everything together while you're already out of work. The financial impact of even a week's delay in filing can add up. For anyone just starting this process, don't get discouraged by the paperwork - seasonal work is totally legitimate and the system does recognize it once you get through the initial hurdles!

Anybody know if theres a way to expedite the waiting week credit process? I'm really in a tight spot financially and every day counts 😰

Just wanted to jump in here as someone who's been dealing with NYDOL for a while now. A few things that might help: 1. **Document everything** - keep screenshots of every page, error message, confirmation number, etc. This saved me when they claimed I never submitted something. 2. **Try the online portal during off-peak hours** (like early morning or late evening) - it's way less glitchy then. 3. **For the waiting week credit specifically** - make sure you have your exact dates of unemployment ready. They're really picky about this stuff. 4. **Stay vigilant about scams** - I've gotten at least 5 fake texts claiming to be from NYDOL in the past month alone. The real NYDOL will never ask for your full SSN or banking info via text/email. The whole process is honestly a nightmare, but you'll get through it. Keep pushing and don't give up! Also seconding what others said about local assistance programs - 211 is a great resource while you're waiting. Good luck! 🤞

For restaurant workers specifically, there aren't special unemployment programs but you might want to look into workforce development programs through the city. Some offer training for other industries while you're collecting benefits. Just make sure any training programs you enter are approved so they don't interfere with your weekly claim certifications.

Just want to add that you should also check if you qualify for any city-specific assistance programs while you're on unemployment. NYC has programs like SNAP (food assistance) and emergency rental assistance that can help stretch your benefits further. The Human Resources Administration (HRA) website has info on what you might be eligible for. Also, keep all your documentation organized - unemployment requires a lot of paperwork and you don't want to miss payments because of missing forms. Good luck with your job search!

Just want to echo what everyone else is saying about that 518-457-9000 backdating line - it's a total game changer! I was stuck in the same situation about 6 months ago and spent weeks trying to get through the main number with zero luck. Found out about the dedicated backdating line through a forum like this and got connected to someone within an hour of calling. One thing I'll add that I haven't seen mentioned yet - when you do get through, ask the rep to email you a summary of what was discussed and what steps they're taking. I did this and it saved me so much headache when I had to call back for a status update. Having that email trail made the second call super smooth since they could see exactly what the previous rep had already set up for me. Also, if you're still doing gig work or any part-time stuff while waiting for this to get sorted, make sure you report that income properly on your backdated certifications. They'll ask about it and being upfront about everything just makes the process faster. The whole system is definitely broken, but don't give up! You're owed those benefits and with persistence (and the right phone number!) you'll get them. Took about 4 weeks total for me from first call to money in my account. Hang in there! 💪

Reading through this thread as someone who just got approved after 4 months of denial hell, and I'm so grateful for all the detailed advice here! That 518-457-9000 backdating line is definitely the move - wish I'd known about it sooner instead of wasting weeks trying the main number. Quick question for those who've been through this - when you called the backdating line, did they ask you to provide specific dollar amounts for each week you're claiming? I have all my screenshots saved but trying to figure out if I need to calculate the exact weekly benefit amounts beforehand or if they handle that calculation on their end. Want to be as prepared as possible when I call tomorrow morning! Also huge thanks to everyone sharing their experiences - this thread has given me more useful info in 10 minutes than months of trying to navigate the official NY DOL website. Finally feeling hopeful that I can get this sorted out! 🙏

Filing ASAP is absolutely critical! I learned this the hard way when I was laid off from my construction job last year. I waited almost 2 weeks because I was embarrassed and thought I'd bounce back quickly - ended up costing me nearly $800 in benefits I could never recover. The NY system doesn't backdate to your separation date, only to when you actually file your initial claim. For a legitimate layoff like yours due to company downsizing, approval should be straightforward. Just make sure you select "lack of work" or "layoff" as your separation reason, not "quit" or anything that could be misinterpreted. The online application at ny.gov is available 24/7, so don't wait for business hours. Get your Social Security number, driver's license, and last 18 months of employment info ready, then file tonight if possible. Even if you think you'll find work soon, you can always stop claiming benefits if you get hired, but you can't go back and claim weeks you didn't file for. Don't make my mistake!

As someone who works in HR and has processed layoffs in NY, I want to echo what everyone else is saying - file TODAY! Don't wait until Monday or next week. The timing is crucial because your benefit year literally starts from the day you file your initial claim, not from when you lost your job. I've seen too many people lose out on weeks of benefits because they thought they had more time or wanted to "think about it first." Your situation sounds like a textbook layoff case - company downsizing/reduction in force is exactly what unemployment insurance was designed to cover. When you file online at ny.gov, make sure to select "lack of work" or "company downsizing" as your separation reason. Keep that email or notice from your employer about the layoffs just in case, but for a legitimate RIF you shouldn't need it immediately. The application takes about 30-45 minutes if you have your info ready (SSN, employment history for past 18 months, etc.). File tonight if possible - the system is available 24/7 and every day matters!