I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago - employer claimed misconduct when it was really a layoff. Here's what helped me win: 1) Organize all your documents chronologically in a folder, 2) Write out a timeline of events leading to your termination, 3) Practice explaining your side clearly and concisely, 4) If you have any coworkers who witnessed the layoff discussions, ask if they'd be willing to testify. The judge will likely ask your employer very specific questions about their misconduct claim - if they can't provide solid evidence (like documented warnings, policy violations, etc.), their case falls apart. You've got this! The fact that you have that budget cuts email puts you in a really strong position.

I'm so sorry you're going through this stress! I had a similar situation last year where my employer tried to claim misconduct after what was clearly a layoff. A few additional tips that really helped me: Keep your answers short and factual - don't get emotional even if your employer says things that upset you. Also, if the hearing is by phone, have a glass of water nearby and take notes while they're speaking so you can address their specific claims. One thing that surprised me was that the judge asked very detailed follow-up questions to my employer about their misconduct allegations, and when they couldn't provide specifics or documentation, it became clear they were just trying to avoid paying unemployment. Your situation with the budget cuts email sounds very straightforward - you should feel confident going in!

I'm going through something really similar right now - my employer at a grocery store keeps changing my schedule last minute even though I told them from day one that I need consistent hours because I'm a single parent. Reading through everyone's experiences here is so encouraging! I had no idea that NYS DOL actually considers childcare conflicts as valid reasons for voluntary quit claims. I've been scared to file because I thought quitting automatically meant no benefits, but it sounds like they really do look at each case individually. I have screenshots of text conversations where I explained my childcare situation to my supervisor, plus some schedule changes that came with literally one day's notice. Based on what everyone's sharing here, it seems like I should definitely file and let them make the determination rather than just assuming I won't qualify. This community has been way more informative than trying to figure this out on my own - thank you all for sharing your stories and advice!

I just want to echo what everyone else is saying about filing your claim right away - don't let the fact that you resigned hold you back! I was in almost the exact same situation a few months ago when my retail job kept scheduling me for closing shifts despite knowing I had to be home for my kids' bedtime routine. I was so worried they'd automatically deny me since I quit, but NYS DOL actually approved my claim after reviewing all the documentation I provided. The text messages you mentioned having are perfect evidence - I used similar screenshots of conversations with my manager where I clearly explained my availability restrictions. The whole process took about 8 weeks for me, but the investigator who called was really thorough and fair in reviewing my case. My advice is to be super detailed when you file about how many times you communicated your childcare needs and how your employer continued to ignore them. Also mention any financial hardship that finding different childcare would have caused. You definitely have a strong case based on what you've described!

Congratulations on finally getting some movement on your claim! Two years is absolutely insane - I can't imagine the stress you've been through. I had a similar situation last year (though only 6 months, not 2 years!) and that email is definitely good news. A few things to watch out for based on my experience: - Double-check that all your certified weeks show up in the payment history once they start processing - Save screenshots of everything as proof - If any weeks seem missing, contact them immediately because it's easier to fix while the backpay is actively being processed The waiting is almost over! Really hoping you get every penny you're owed after this nightmare delay.

Wow, two years is absolutely incredible - you deserve a medal for persistence! I'm so happy to see this finally moving forward for you. Just wanted to add one thing I learned from my own delayed claim experience: when you get that determination letter, pay close attention to the "benefit year end date." Since your original claim was from December 2020, there might be some complexity around benefit year periods that could affect how much backpay you're eligible for. Also, once payments start coming in, keep a simple spreadsheet tracking each deposit with the date and amount - it'll make it so much easier to verify you got everything you're owed. With a case this old and complex, having your own records will be invaluable. Fingers crossed you see that first payment hit your account soon! Please keep us posted on how it goes.

I'm going through this exact situation right now - just received my overpayment notice yesterday for $1,800 and I've been really stressed about it until I found this thread. Reading everyone's experiences has been incredibly reassuring! Like many others, I also didn't receive an appeal form with my notice, which seems to be a common issue. I'm definitely calling tomorrow morning to request both the appeal form and all their documentation. One thing I'm curious about - for those who successfully got their overpayments reduced or eliminated, how important was it to have kept detailed records from when you were originally filing your claims? I have some of my weekly certification confirmations saved, but I'm worried I don't have everything I might need. Also, has anyone dealt with overpayments that were allegedly due to "failure to report work" when you're pretty sure you reported everything correctly? That's what my notice says, but I remember being very careful about reporting my part-time work during that period. Thank you all for sharing your stories - it gives me hope that this can be resolved!

I'm in a very similar situation - just got my overpayment notice this morning for $2,300 and I've been frantically searching online for answers when I found this thread. Reading through everyone's experiences has been both eye-opening and really comforting to know I'm not alone in dealing with this! Like so many others here, I also didn't receive an appeal form with my notice, which seems to be happening to a lot of people. I had no idea there were options like requesting waivers or getting all their documentation to review for errors. I'm definitely going to call first thing tomorrow to request the appeal form and ask for a complete breakdown of how they calculated the overpayment. One thing that really stands out from reading everyone's stories is how many people found actual errors in the state's records - it gives me hope that my situation might be similar. My notice mentions something about unreported wages, but I was very careful about reporting my freelance work during my claim period. Thank you all for sharing such detailed advice and experiences - this thread has already helped me feel so much more prepared to tackle this situation instead of just panicking about it!

I'm really sorry you're dealing with this while pregnant - that's incredibly stressful timing. From what I understand, NY typically allows 26 weeks of regular unemployment benefits, and once those are exhausted, you usually can't file a new claim until your benefit year ends (which would be around December 2023 for you). However, given your pregnancy, there might be additional options available. Here are some things to explore: 1. **Extended Benefits** - These aren't always available but worth checking. You'll need to speak with an agent to see if NY currently offers any extensions. 2. **Disability Benefits** - At 7 months pregnant, you might qualify for short-term disability benefits, especially as you get closer to your due date. 3. **Emergency Assistance Programs** - NY has emergency assistance for pregnant women and families in crisis situations. The biggest challenge is actually reaching someone at the unemployment office. I've been seeing people in this thread mention Claimyr as a way to get through faster - might be worth considering given your time-sensitive situation. Also, definitely keep pursuing other assistance programs like SNAP, WIC, and any county-specific emergency aid. Being pregnant should help you qualify for expedited assistance in many programs. Don't lose hope - there are safety nets available, even if they're not well-advertised. You're being smart by reaching out and asking for help now rather than waiting.

I'm new to this community but wanted to share what worked for me when I was in a similar situation last year. When my unemployment benefits ran out, I was completely lost and the website was no help at all - just kept showing my exhausted claim like you described. What saved me was finding out about Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) which I had never heard of before. Since you're pregnant, you might qualify for emergency TANF benefits while you figure out the unemployment situation. The application process was way faster than I expected. Also, have you looked into whether your county has any emergency rental assistance or utility assistance programs? Many counties in NY have these programs specifically for pregnant women and families in crisis. I know everyone's suggesting calling unemployment (and they're right), but honestly given that you're 7 months pregnant, I'd prioritize getting immediate assistance lined up first through other programs, then work on the unemployment extension issue. You need a safety net ASAP. Wishing you the best - this situation is so stressful but there really are resources out there to help bridge the gap.