I'm new to this whole unemployment process and just ran into this exact same confusion! I've been searching through my my.ny.gov account for the past couple hours looking for some mysterious "unemployment insurance number" that my potential employer is requesting. Reading through all these responses has been such a huge relief - I was starting to think I completely missed some important step or document. The terminology is definitely confusing because "unemployment insurance number" really does sound like it should be some specific identifier that NYS DOL assigns to you. It's clear from everyone's experiences that the best approach is to just call the employer directly and ask them to clarify exactly what they need. Thanks to everyone who shared their stories here - this thread is going to save me from probably spending the whole weekend searching for something that doesn't exist as a separate number!

I just joined this community because I'm dealing with this exact same frustrating situation! I've been approved for unemployment benefits but can't find this "unemployment insurance number" anywhere in my documents or my.ny.gov account. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly reassuring - I was starting to panic thinking I missed some critical step in the application process. The terminology is so confusing because it really sounds like there should be some official number that gets assigned by NYS DOL. It's clear from all the responses that this is a super common issue and the solution is usually much simpler than we think. I'm definitely going to call my employer tomorrow to ask exactly what format they need rather than continuing to search for something that probably doesn't exist as a separate identifier. Thanks to everyone for sharing their stories - this community is such a lifesaver for navigating these confusing processes!

This is exactly the kind of detailed breakdown I needed! I'm currently in week 2 of unemployment after getting laid off from my job in Albany. My former employer just sent me paperwork showing they'll be paying out $3,200 in vacation time next Friday. Based on my previous weekly gross of $800, that works out to exactly 4 weeks of coverage. What's really helpful from reading everyone's experiences is understanding that I need to report this for the 4 weeks immediately following my last day of work, not spread it out randomly. I'm definitely going to contact my HR department to get official documentation showing the weekly breakdown - seems like that's crucial for staying compliant with DOL requirements. It's frustrating that this isn't explained clearly on the official website, but threads like this are invaluable for navigating the system properly!

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm actually going through this right now - got laid off 3 weeks ago and my employer just told me they're sending about $2,100 in vacation pay next week. Reading through everyone's experiences, it's clear I need to: 1) Get documentation from HR showing which specific weeks the vacation covers, 2) Calculate my weekly gross ($525) to determine how many weeks this represents (4 weeks), and 3) Report it properly on my weekly claims for those periods. What I'm still unsure about is the timing - if I receive the lump sum payment next Friday, do I report it on the weekly claim for that specific week, or do I spread it across the 4 weeks it's supposed to cover starting from my last day of work? The DOL website really doesn't make this clear at all!

Hey Aisha! I just went through this exact same process a couple months ago and totally understand the anxiety. From my experience and what I've gathered from others here, the timeline really varies but seems to be running 6-10 weeks lately due to backlogs. A few things that helped me: 1) Set up those text/email alerts through the DOL portal so you know immediately if there's movement, 2) Keep certifying weekly even during the appeal - super important!, and 3) If you hit the 8-week mark with no update, definitely reach out to your state senator's office like Saleem mentioned - they seem to have more pull than assembly members. Also, document everything in case you need to escalate later. I know the financial stress is overwhelming but try to hang in there - most people I know eventually got approved, it just takes way longer than it should. Sending you positive vibes! 🤞✨

I'm dealing with the exact same situation - submitted my reconsideration request about 5 weeks ago and still waiting! The anxiety is real when bills keep coming but there's no income. One thing that's helped me cope is creating a weekly check-in routine where I log into the portal, make any necessary calls, and update my tracking spreadsheet all on the same day. It gives me a sense of control even when everything feels uncertain. Also echoing what others said about reaching out to your state senator's office if you hit that 8-week mark - I'm preparing to do that myself if needed. We're all rooting for you! This community has been such a lifeline during this stressful process. 💪

To clarify the extension question - yes, there are circumstances where you might be eligible for an extension if you don't qualify for a new claim. This typically happens when you haven't earned sufficient wages during your benefit year. The extension would continue your current weekly benefit amount rather than starting fresh. However, you still need to file the new claim application first so NYS Department of Labor can determine if you qualify for a new claim or an extension.

Just went through this exact situation 3 months ago. File your new claim the day after your benefit year ends - don't wait! I made the mistake of waiting a few days and it created a gap in my payments that took weeks to resolve. Also keep detailed records of all your job search activities during the transition period because they might ask for verification. The new claim process is pretty much the same as your original application, just make sure you report any work you did during your benefit year, even if it was just a few hours here and there.

To answer the earlier question about timing - the standards typically begin to relax after 13-16 weeks, with more significant changes around week 20-26. However, this can vary based on local unemployment rates and your specific circumstances. The important thing is to keep detailed records and continue your active job search. If you're unsure about a specific job offer, it's worth consulting with your local workforce development office before declining.

Thanks for all this helpful info everyone! I'm in a similar spot at week 16 and just want to add - make sure you're also documenting any training or certification programs you might be doing to improve your qualifications. NYS Department of Labor sometimes views this favorably when evaluating whether you're making reasonable efforts to find suitable work. I started an online logistics certification course and mentioned it when they questioned why I turned down a retail job that was way below my skill level. Also, if you're a union member, check if they have any guidance on suitable work requirements - mine had some really specific advice about what constitutes comparable work in our industry.