Sometimes i wonder if the real DOL and the scammers are playing good cop/bad cop 🤣 One is impossible to reach, the other won't leave you alone!

You did the right thing hanging up! That's 100% a scam. I've been dealing with NY unemployment for months and they communicate through your online account or official mail - never cold calls asking for personal info. The fact that they got pushy when you wanted to verify through official channels is the biggest red flag. Real government workers understand security concerns and will never pressure you like that. I'd definitely report that number to the FTC and maybe block it. Stay safe out there!

whatever you do dont wait to file!! i made that mistake and lost like 3 weeks of benefits because i thought i had to wait or something. file online as soon as you can

I went through this exact situation last year! With your hours and wage ($18/hour at 35 hours), you're looking at roughly $315 per week based on the formula they use. The key thing is they look at your highest earning quarter during your base period. Since you worked there for 2 years, you should have plenty of work history to qualify. Just remember to file your claim right away - you can do it online at my.ny.gov. Also keep track of all your job search activities because you'll need to report them when you certify each week. The whole process can take a couple weeks to get your first payment, so don't panic if it's not immediate. Good luck with your job search!

Just went through this exact situation a few months ago! Everyone here is giving you the right info - severance does NOT count as wages for establishing your claim eligibility. You need actual work history from before your layoff. BUT definitely file your claim right now, don't wait for severance to end! I made the mistake of waiting and lost out on a couple weeks of benefits. When you file, just be honest about your severance - report the amounts and dates. They'll process your claim based on your work history, but might delay payments until after your severance period ends (which sounds like next week for you). The good news is once severance ends, your benefits should kick in automatically if you're approved. The whole process is confusing but just get your claim filed ASAP!

Just to add another data point - I'm currently going through this exact same situation right now! Got laid off in January with a 2-month severance that just ended last week. Filed my claim right when I got laid off (even though I was getting severance) and they approved me based on my work history from before the layoff. The severance didn't count toward my base period wages at all, but it did delay my first payment until after it ended. Got my first unemployment payment this week and it was calculated based on my actual salary from my job, not the severance amount. So definitely file now - don't wait! The earlier you file, the sooner you'll be in the system and ready to receive benefits once your severance ends next week.

I'm in a similar situation right now - had to quit my job to care for my grandmother with Alzheimer's. From what I've learned, the key is really in how you present your case to NYS Department of Labor. Don't just say you quit to be a caregiver - emphasize that it was an emergency situation where you had no other viable options. I'm still waiting to hear back on my claim, but my caseworker told me that having a clear timeline of events and showing you exhausted other resources first really helps. Also, if your employer has any documentation about why they couldn't accommodate flexible scheduling or leave, that can strengthen your case too.

I had a very similar experience when I had to quit my job to care for my disabled brother a couple years ago. NYS Department of Labor initially denied my claim, but I successfully appealed it. The most important thing is to gather ALL your documentation before you file - medical records, letters from doctors explaining the necessity of care, any correspondence with your employer about trying to get leave or accommodation, and proof that you looked into other care options like home health services or adult day programs. When you write your application, be very specific about why the caregiving was urgent and unavoidable - don't just say you chose to quit to help family. Frame it as "I was forced to leave my employment due to a family medical emergency that required immediate full-time care." The appeal process can take time, but it's worth it if you have the documentation to back up your case. Also, start applying for jobs now and keep detailed records of every application - you'll need to show you're actively seeking work regardless of whether your claim gets approved.

Glad to see you got through with Claimyr! I'm a newcomer here but just wanted to share that I went through something similar a few months ago. I missed a week due to a power outage during a storm and was panicking about losing those benefits. The TC-403E form that Samantha mentioned is definitely the way to go - I filled it out online and got approved within about 10 days. The key is being very detailed about why you missed it and providing any documentation you can. In my case, I included screenshots of local news articles about the power outage in my area. Don't stress too much - NYSDOL seems pretty reasonable about legitimate emergencies as long as you're within that 30-day window. Good luck everyone!

I'm new to this community but going through the exact same situation right now! I missed my certification week due to being out of state for a funeral and I'm so stressed about losing that week's benefits. Reading through all these responses is incredibly helpful - especially learning about the TC-403E form and the 30-day window. I had no idea there was an official process for this. I'm definitely going to try the Claimyr service that Victoria mentioned since calling directly seems like such a nightmare. It's so reassuring to see that Grace and others have had success getting their backdated payments. Thank you all for sharing your experiences - this community is a lifesaver for navigating the confusing unemployment system!