I think I read somewhere that unemployment was supposed to go down this year but then some layoffs in tech happened? Not sure how accurate that was though. My cousin in Buffalo said their claim got extended somehow but I don't know if that's related to unemployment rates or something else entirely.

I've been tracking the NYS Department of Labor data pretty closely since I started my claim in January. The unemployment rate has actually been trending slightly downward over the past few months - we're sitting around 3.9% as of the latest report. Processing times for weekly certifications have been consistent for me (usually processed within 2-3 days), so I don't think increased volume is really impacting the system right now. That said, I'd still recommend staying proactive with your job search regardless of the trends - the sooner you find something, the better, especially since we're heading into summer when some seasonal opportunities might open up.

My sister waited 2 weeks after approval for her first payment, but that was because her last employer contested her claim. Once that was resolved the money came within 2 days. Did you leave your last job voluntarily? That can cause delays too.

Hope you get your payment soon! That Message Center trick saved me too - they really need to send email notifications for those requests. For future reference, you can also set up direct deposit if you haven't already, which makes payments arrive faster than waiting for a debit card. Once your documents are processed, you should see the payment within 3-5 business days. The system is definitely slow but at least you found the missing piece!

You should still file the claim anyway! Sometimes the reasonable assurance determination isn't clear-cut, especially for subs. Let NYS Department of Labor make the official decision rather than assuming you're disqualified.

I'm a substitute teacher too and went through this exact situation last summer. The reasonable assurance rule is confusing, but here's what I learned: even if you worked regularly at the same schools, as a substitute you're not technically guaranteed work in the fall the same way regular teachers are. The district has to provide you with a written reasonable assurance letter that specifically states you'll have work available. Without that letter, you might still be eligible for benefits. I'd recommend filing anyway and letting them make the determination - worst case they deny it, but you might be surprised. Also document everything about your work patterns and save any communication from the district about future availability.

Sometimes there are delays if they're reviewing something on your claim. Did you report any work hours or earnings this week? That can slow down processing.

I've been getting mine pretty consistently on Thursdays when I certify on Tuesday. The NYS Department of Labor seems to process most payments mid-week. If you're still within that 2-3 business day window, you should be good. Just make sure you didn't miss any questions during certification that might flag your claim for review.

Update us when you get that determination letter! The exact wording will determine your next steps. While you're waiting, compile a chronological list of every interaction you've had with both NYSDOL and your former employer including dates, times, and names. This timeline will be extremely valuable during your appeal hearing. Also, if you're struggling financially while this gets resolved, you can request an emergency hearing due to financial hardship. This can sometimes speed up the process by 2-3 weeks.

Wow, this is exactly why I always tell people to document EVERYTHING when dealing with NYSDOL - they seem to have serious communication issues between departments. The fact that your determination letter says "voluntarily left" when you were clearly terminated shows there's a major disconnect somewhere in their system. Since you now have the official reason for denial in writing, you definitely need to appeal this within 30 days. Focus your appeal on two main points: 1) You were terminated, not quit voluntarily, and 2) Your termination was due to disability discrimination which would qualify as "good cause" even if you had quit. Get that written statement from your former employer ASAP confirming you were terminated. Also, since this involves disability discrimination, make sure to mention in your appeal that you're filing a complaint with the NYS Division of Human Rights - this adds weight to your case and shows the termination wasn't legitimate. Don't give up! Cases like yours with clear documentation usually get resolved in favor of the claimant once you get in front of an actual hearing officer who can review everything properly.