Wait, is REA the same thing as the WorkForce1 requirements? I'm getting so many different letters and appointments I can't keep track of what's what anymore.

I just got my REA notice yesterday and was panicking about what to expect. This thread is super helpful! @Lucy, to answer your question about advance notice - I got about 10 days notice for my appointment, so it wasn't last minute. They sent both a physical letter and an email. The letter had pretty clear instructions about what to bring (work search log, resume, etc.). Sounds like it's actually worth taking seriously based on what everyone's saying here.

The system is honestly pretty straightforward once you get started. Just be prepared for the initial claim to take a week or two to process, and your first payment might be delayed while they verify everything. Don't panic if it's not instant - that's normal.

Hey Connor! I was in a similar situation when I got laid off from my first job. One thing that really helped me was having all my documents organized before starting the application. Make sure you have your Social Security card, driver's license, and any employment documents handy. Also, try to apply as soon as possible - there's usually a waiting period before benefits start, so the sooner you file, the better. The my.ny.gov website can be a bit overwhelming at first, but just take it step by step. Don't worry if you make mistakes on your first try - you can always call or reapply if needed. You've got this!

Getting through to NYS Department of Labor to ask questions about this kind of situation can be really frustrating with their phone lines always busy. I had luck using a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get connected to an actual agent when I had a complex situation like this. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Made it so much easier to get my questions answered directly.

honestly the whole system is set up to screw people over. they make you jump through hoops and then want money back later. its like they dont want you to survive while waiting for other benefits

ugh the whole system is so frustrating... they make you jump through hoops even when employers fire people unfairly. I've been trying to get through to someone at NYS Department of Labor for weeks about my own case

Don't give up! I thought for sure I'd be denied because my boss claimed I was insubordinate but NYS Department of Labor saw through their BS. The adjudication took about 3 weeks but I got approved. Make sure you provide your side of the story when they contact you for the fact-finding interview.

Thank you all for the helpful responses! I'm going to: 1) Talk to my boss about the NY Paid Sick Leave law they might not know about, 2) Look into disability benefits even though the 7-day waiting period might make it impractical, and 3) Use Claimyr to reach someone at DOL if I can't get through on my own tomorrow. I really appreciate all the guidance - this community is amazing!

I'm new to this community but wanted to share my recent experience since it might help. I had COVID in February and was out for 6 days. Like you, I work for a small business (8 employees) and they claimed they didn't offer paid sick leave. After reading about NY's Paid Sick Leave law, I approached my boss with the info and it turns out they genuinely didn't know about the requirement! They ended up paying me for those days retroactively. It's worth having that conversation - many small business owners aren't trying to be malicious, they just don't know all the labor laws. Also, I did apply for NY Disability Benefits as a backup but you're right about the 7-day waiting period being a problem for shorter illnesses. Hope you feel better soon and get this sorted out!