I'm on day 12 of waiting for my unemployment claim review after being laid off when my company eliminated my entire department. This thread has been incredibly helpful - I was starting to worry since I'm past that 7-10 day window most people mentioned, but seeing Geoff and Lucas's experiences with approvals at day 11+ gives me hope! The "under review" status really is maddening when you're trying to budget and plan ahead. I've definitely been guilty of the obsessive portal checking too, sometimes multiple times per day hoping for any kind of update. Starting tomorrow I'm going to commit to the once-daily rule that everyone keeps recommending. It's crazy how much anxiety this process creates on top of already dealing with job loss. Thanks to everyone sharing their timelines - it really helps to know we're all going through the same nerve-wracking wait!

I'm on day 4 of waiting for my claim review after being laid off from my engineering position due to company restructuring, and this thread has been absolutely invaluable! Before reading everyone's experiences, I was convinced that the lack of updates meant something was wrong with my application. It's such a relief to see that the 7-10 business day timeline is so consistent and that "under review" is just standard processing language, not a red flag. I've definitely fallen into that obsessive portal checking trap - probably refreshing it 5-6 times a day hoping for some magical update. The once-a-day rule that so many people have recommended sounds like exactly what I need to preserve my sanity. It's frustrating that NYS DOL's system provides zero transparency compared to tracking a package or checking your tax refund status, but knowing this wait is completely normal makes it so much more manageable. Thank you to everyone who shared their timelines and experiences - it really helps to feel like we're all in this together during such a stressful time!

Wait I thought there was still some kind of extended benefits available? My cousin in another state said she got extra weeks beyond the normal 26. Is that not a thing in NY anymore?

Honestly the whole thing was such a mess anyway. I know people who got way more money sitting at home than they ever made working. At least now its back to normal and people have to actually look for jobs again.

This thread has been incredibly helpful for understanding NYS misconduct standards! I'm a former HR professional and wanted to add that employers often use terms like "insubordination" very loosely when terminating employees, but the legal definition for unemployment purposes is much more specific. What you described - asking questions about a confusing policy - would never meet the misconduct threshold in any case I've seen. The key thing to remember is that misconduct requires willful disregard of the employer's interests, and seeking clarification actually protects the employer by ensuring proper policy implementation. During your fact-finding interview, focus on your intent to understand and comply rather than getting defensive about being called "insubordinate." Your clean record and genuine confusion about the policy will work strongly in your favor. NYS DOL sees these cases all the time and can usually distinguish between legitimate employee concerns and actual misconduct pretty easily.

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now and this thread has been such a lifesaver! Got let go last Friday for what my supervisor called "challenging management decisions" when I questioned why we were suddenly required to work mandatory overtime without the proper notice our employee handbook requires. Reading everyone's experiences here, especially the three-part misconduct test that @Miranda Singer explained, has really helped me understand that asking legitimate questions about policy compliance isn't misconduct. It's so frustrating how employers throw around terms like "insubordinate" when employees are just trying to understand their rights and responsibilities. I'm documenting everything I can remember and feeling much more confident about my upcoming fact-finding interview. Thanks to everyone for sharing such detailed and helpful experiences - this community is incredible for people navigating unemployment for the first time!

Just wanted to add my experience since I filed my NYS DOL claim about 6 weeks ago. One thing that really caught me off guard was the "monetary determination" letter that comes after you file - don't panic if the benefit amount seems lower than expected at first. Mine initially showed a much lower weekly amount, but it turned out they hadn't processed all my wage information yet. It took about 10 days for them to update it to the correct amount. Also, if you get a notice for a phone interview, don't stress too much - mine was actually pretty straightforward. They just wanted to confirm the details I put on my application and clarify a couple of dates. The interviewer was really understanding when I explained my situation. One last tip: set up text alerts for your claim status if you can. It's much easier than constantly checking the website, and you'll get notified right away if there are any issues that need your attention.

I'm new to this community and just wanted to say thank you to everyone who shared their experiences here! I'm about to start my NYS DOL application and was feeling really anxious about messing something up, but reading through all these detailed tips and real-world examples has made me feel so much more prepared. The advice about printing everything out first, having all your documents organized, and being specific with separation reasons is exactly what I needed to hear. It's also really helpful to know that even if you make small mistakes, there are usually ways to clarify things later. This community is amazing - I wish I had found it sooner! I'll definitely come back to share my own experience once I get through the process.

I just went through this exact situation about 4 months ago when my company had unexpected layoffs. File immediately after your last day on Friday - don't overthink it! The NYS DOL system is designed for you to file as soon as you become unemployed. I filed on a Friday evening from home and it went smoothly. One thing I wish I had known beforehand is to have your bank account and routing numbers ready for direct deposit setup during the initial filing - it saves time later and gets your payments faster than waiting for checks. Also, don't stress too much if you don't have every single employment detail perfect when you file. The important thing is getting your claim started so your benefit year begins. You can always call to update or clarify information later if needed. The waiting week is tough financially, but think of it as time to organize your job search strategy. I actually used that first week to revamp my resume and start reaching out to contacts. You're being smart by asking these questions in advance - that proactive approach will serve you well throughout this process!

I went through a similar layoff situation about 6 months ago and can't stress enough - file immediately after your last day of work! Don't wait until Monday or overthink the timing. I filed on my last Friday afternoon and it was the right call. One thing that really helped me was having a checklist ready beforehand: Social Security number, employment dates for the past 18 months, employer contact information, and bank details for direct deposit. The waiting week is unavoidable but getting your claim started immediately means you'll receive your first payment as soon as possible after that waiting period ends. Also, start keeping a job search log right away - even during that first week - because the 3 weekly job contacts requirement begins immediately. I used a simple spreadsheet to track company names, contact methods, and dates. The whole process was much more straightforward than I expected once I got started. You're already ahead of the game by researching this beforehand instead of scrambling after the fact. Good luck with everything!