File online through my.ny.gov - much easier than calling. You'll answer questions about why you left your job and NYS Department of Labor will make the determination. With your work history you should definitely qualify wage-wise, and the hour reduction sounds like valid good cause to me.

ugh the whole system is so confusing! i never know if i qualify for anything. good luck though, hope it works out better than my experience with NYS Department of Labor

wait so if employers pay for unemployment insurance, why do some people act like unemployed people are freeloaders? they literally paid into this system through their work

This is such an important distinction to understand! I work in HR and I see this confusion all the time. Another way to think about it: when you look at your paystub, you'll see Social Security and Medicare taxes (FICA) being deducted from YOUR paycheck - that's what funds Social Security. But you won't see unemployment insurance deductions from your pay because that's paid entirely by your employer as a separate business expense. NYS Department of Labor gets funding from these employer contributions, not from Social Security. So you're absolutely not touching your retirement benefits by collecting unemployment - you're using a benefit that was already paid for on your behalf while you were working.

Have u tried the callback option on the website? I did that and they called me back... 3 weeks later 🙃 but at least it worked eventually

I'm dealing with the exact same issue right now - filed my new claim in October and still haven't seen a dime. The automated system is absolutely brutal. What's helped me is trying the claimyr service that others mentioned AND calling the TTY line. Also found out there's a special reapplication escalation number if you google "NY unemployment reapplication phone number" - it's different from the main line. I'm also going to try that callback option someone mentioned because at this point I'll try anything. The stress is unreal when you're waiting on money you're legally entitled to 😤

File your claim immediately after your last day of work and clearly explain the medical necessity. Include your doctor's statement with your initial application if possible. During adjudication, they'll review whether your reason meets the 'compelling personal reason' standard. Don't wait to file - you can't get benefits for weeks you don't claim even if approved later.

Have you looked into New York's Paid Family Leave (PFL) program? Since you're dealing with pregnancy complications, you might be eligible for both disability benefits during your recovery period AND paid family leave after the baby is born. PFL provides partial wage replacement for up to 12 weeks. You should definitely explore all your options - unemployment, temporary disability, and PFL - since they each cover different situations and time periods. The NY Department of Labor website has a benefits advisor tool that can help you figure out which programs you qualify for based on your specific circumstances.

Yes definitely mention your job search activities when you file! Keep records of everywhere you applied, any interviews you had, etc. NYS Department of Labor wants to see that you were genuinely looking for work even if you weren't claiming benefits yet. This documentation could help support your case for backdating some of those missed weeks.

I went through this exact same situation about 8 months ago - waited 5 weeks thinking I'd land something fast. Here's what I learned: file TODAY, don't wait another day. When you file, there's a section where you can explain why you delayed filing. Be honest about job searching but emphasize any specific circumstances (like if you had interviews lined up, were waiting on a specific opportunity, etc.). I was able to get 3 out of my 5 missed weeks approved by showing my job application emails and interview confirmations. The key is having documentation of your active job search. Also, once you file, you'll need to certify weekly going forward, so the sooner you start that process the better.