Just wanted to add that you should apply online through the NY.gov website as soon as possible - there's a waiting period before benefits can start, so even if you're not sure about eligibility, it's better to get the process started. When they ask about the reason for separation, just state exactly what your employer told you - "performance issues" - and let them make the determination. Don't overthink it or try to guess what they want to hear. The fact that you worked 14 months at your previous job should definitely help establish your base period wages.

I'm a newcomer here but wanted to share my perspective as someone who works in unemployment claims processing. The advice everyone's giving is spot-on - there's absolutely no minimum employment duration required for unemployment benefits in New York. I see cases like yours regularly where people assume they're ineligible due to short tenure, but that's simply not how the system works. Your 14 months of prior employment should easily establish your base period eligibility. The key distinction is between being terminated for performance issues (which you described) versus misconduct - performance problems rarely constitute disqualifying misconduct unless there was willful refusal to work or serious policy violations. File your claim online through ny.gov immediately, answer all questions factually based on what your employer specifically told you, and don't overthink it. The Department of Labor will make the final determination, but based on what you've shared, you have a legitimate claim worth pursuing. Even if your former employer contests it, that's routine and doesn't mean automatic denial.

This thread has been absolutely incredible to read through! As someone who works in tech and has dealt with legacy government systems, I can tell you that these character limit issues are unfortunately very common. Most of these systems were built decades ago with fixed database field lengths that weren't designed for our increasingly diverse population. What's amazing is seeing how this community has collectively reverse-engineered the internal procedures that government workers use. Code 117-N, "name field exception," the identity verification line, even the Claimyr service - this is insider knowledge that would take most people months to figure out on their own. @Natalia Stone - your success story is going to help so many people! The fact that you went from denial to approval in just a few days once you had the right terminology proves that solutions exist, they're just hidden behind bureaucratic language. For anyone bookmarking this thread: I'd also recommend screenshotting the key details (phone numbers, codes, exact wording) because forum posts can sometimes disappear, but you'll want this information accessible when you're on hold with unemployment offices. This thread is honestly worth its weight in gold for anyone with a non-standard name situation.

This thread has been absolutely life-changing to read! I'm currently dealing with a very similar situation - my last name has 16 characters and includes an apostrophe, which their system either rejects entirely or strips out, causing endless SSN mismatches. I've been stuck in this nightmare for almost a month now. Reading through everyone's experiences, I'm blown away by the specific actionable advice here. The fact that there are actual internal codes like 117-N and specific terminology like "name field exception" that can unlock solutions is incredible - and also infuriating that this information isn't publicly available anywhere! I'm definitely going to try the identity verification line (888) 783-1370 first thing Monday morning, and if that doesn't work, I'll use the Claimyr service that @Ellie Perry recommended. Having the exact wording and codes to use feels like finally having a roadmap after weeks of just hitting walls. @Natalia Stone - huge congratulations on getting this resolved! Your willingness to update everyone with what actually worked is going to help so many people. This community is absolutely amazing for sharing this kind of insider knowledge that can make the difference between getting stuck for months vs getting approved in days. Thank you all for turning what seemed like an impossible bureaucratic nightmare into a solvable problem with clear next steps!

The NYS Department of Labor appointment system is a joke. I've been trying to get someone on the phone for 3 weeks about my overpayment notice and they just tell me to wait. Meanwhile bills are piling up and they want their money back immediately. The whole system is designed to frustrate people into giving up.

I went through this same nightmare a few months ago. What finally worked for me was calling the main number (888-209-8124) first thing in the morning right at 8 AM when they open - you have a better chance of getting through. When you do get connected, don't let them transfer you around. Be very specific and say "I need to schedule an adjudication appointment for my unemployment claim that has been pending for over a month." They should be able to schedule a phone appointment within 1-2 weeks. Also keep all your documentation ready because they might ask you to fax or email additional paperwork before the appointment.

I just went through this exact same process last week after being in the identical situation! Like many others here, I was initially going to just stop filing weekly claims and cross my fingers, but after reading similar advice online I decided to do it properly. I logged into my.ny.gov and found the "Report Work and Earnings" section right on the unemployment dashboard - it really is exactly where everyone has described it. The form was super quick and straightforward, just needed my new employer details and start date. Got the confirmation email from NYS Department of Labor the next morning which was such a relief! One thing I'd add is to double-check that your employer information is accurate when you fill it out - I almost made a typo on the company name but caught it before submitting. The whole process honestly took less time than it took me to read through this helpful thread! Thanks to everyone who shared their step-by-step experiences - this community knowledge is so much better than trying to navigate the official website blindly. Congrats on the new job @Lucas Kowalski - you're going to be fine with this process!

I just went through this exact situation three weeks ago and can confirm everything everyone has shared here! After reading through all the helpful advice in this thread about using the "Report Work and Earnings" feature on my.ny.gov, I was able to complete the process in under 5 minutes. Like @Chris King mentioned, it's so important to have your return to work officially documented with NYS Department of Labor rather than just stopping weekly claims. I found the reporting section right on my unemployment dashboard exactly where @Luca Marino and others described. The confirmation email came within an hour and my weekly certification reminders stopped automatically. One small tip for anyone doing this - make sure you're reporting your actual FIRST day of work (as @Genevieve Cavalier pointed out), not when you accepted the offer or your last day of benefits. Having gone through the stress of not knowing the proper process, I can't emphasize enough how much peace of mind you get from doing it officially. This thread is honestly gold - bookmark it for anyone else going through this transition! Congrats to everyone starting new jobs!

Just wanted to update - got my payment this morning! Looks like it was just a one-day delay. Thanks everyone for your help and reassurance!

Same thing happened to me last month during the December quarterly processing! I was panicking because my car payment was due, but like everyone said, it showed up on Friday. The NY DOL really should send out notifications when there are going to be delays - would save us all so much stress. At least now I know to expect this at the end of each quarter. Thanks for posting this question, it's helpful to know we're not alone when these delays happen!