I just went through this process last month and wanted to share what worked for me. After my regular benefits ended, I discovered I had enough wages from a temporary holiday job I worked in December to qualify for a new claim. The key was understanding that NYS looks at your "alternate base period" if you don't qualify under the standard one. This uses more recent quarters and can include wages earned while you were collecting benefits. I used the online benefit calculator on the NYS DOL website first to get an estimate, then called using that Claimyr service mentioned earlier to confirm with an actual representative. It took about 3 weeks to process the new claim, but I was able to get benefits again. Make sure you have all your wage documentation ready - pay stubs, W-2s, 1099s, anything from work you did during your benefit year. Also keep certifying weekly even if you're not sure about eligibility - you can always pay back benefits if you weren't supposed to receive them, but you can't get retroactive payments if you don't certify. Good luck!

I went through something similar earlier this year and wanted to share what I learned. First, definitely check if you're eligible for Extended Benefits - these can sometimes activate without much notice when NY's unemployment rate hits certain thresholds. You'll see it in your online account if available. For filing a new claim, the key is whether you worked enough during your benefit year to meet the wage requirements. That November part-time work could definitely help! NYS uses different base periods to calculate eligibility, and wages earned while collecting benefits can count toward a new claim. I'd recommend using the benefit calculator on the NYS DOL website first to get an estimate, then try to speak with a representative to confirm. Keep certifying weekly even if you're unsure about eligibility - it's better to be safe and you can always repay if needed. The process can take a few weeks but don't give up. Also look into WIOA training programs as a potential bridge option while you sort out your benefit situation. Document everything and keep that job search log updated regardless of which path you take!

I'm actually going through this exact same situation right now! Just accepted a part-time retail position (about 20 hours/week) while continuing my full-time job search. I was terrified about the "return to work" question too, but after reading everyone's experiences here, I feel so much more confident. What really helped me was realizing that the question is just poorly worded - it's really asking "did you do ANY work this week" not "have you given up job searching and found your permanent career." I've been answering YES for the past month and my claim is still active, I'm still getting partial benefits. A few things I've learned: - Keep meticulous records from day one - I use a simple notebook to track every shift and gross earnings - Any day you work even 1 hour counts as a full day in their weird system - Your 22 hours should definitely qualify for partial benefits if spread over 3 days or less - The combo of part-time wages + partial benefits has actually been more money than unemployment alone Fair warning - my payments got held up for about 2 weeks when I first started reporting work, but they released all the back pay once the review cleared. Just keep certifying weekly no matter what. Honestly, taking the part-time job was one of the best decisions I made while job hunting. Having some guaranteed income takes so much pressure off, and it hasn't hurt my unemployment claim at all. Go for it!

I went through this exact situation last year and totally understand your stress! You definitely answer YES to "return to work" every single week you do any work - I was confused by this at first too because it sounds like you're saying you found permanent full-time work, but that's not what they're asking. They just want to know if you worked at all that week. Here's what I learned working part-time while on unemployment: - Answer YES to return to work, then report your gross earnings (before taxes) and days worked - Any day you work even 1 hour counts as a "full day" in their system (I know, it's ridiculous) - You can work up to 3 days OR earn up to $504/week and still get partial benefits - Your 22 hours should work perfectly as long as it's spread over 3 days max One heads up - when I first started reporting part-time work, my payments got held for "review" for about 3 weeks. Don't panic if this happens! Just keep certifying weekly and it'll get resolved. I actually ended up making more money combining part-time wages with partial benefits than I was getting from unemployment alone. Keep detailed records of every shift and what you earned - I just used my phone's notes app. The most important thing is to be completely honest and accurate in your reporting. The system is actually designed for people in your exact situation - working part-time while actively job searching. Take the job and don't stress about it!

Keep detailed records of all communication with your former employer about this contest. If they're changing their story from layoff to performance issues, that inconsistency will work in your favor during adjudication. Also check your employee handbook - many companies have progressive discipline policies that require written warnings before termination for performance. If you never received formal warnings or a performance improvement plan, that supports your case that this was truly a layoff. NYS Department of Labor adjudicators are experienced with employers who try to reframe layoffs as terminations for cause to avoid paying higher unemployment insurance premiums.

I went through something similar last year when my employer contested my claim after approving it initially. The key thing that helped me was keeping a timeline of everything - dates, conversations, who was present, etc. Since you mentioned this was a company-wide layoff due to budget cuts, that's actually really strong evidence in your favor. NYS Department of Labor looks at patterns - if multiple people were laid off on the same day for the same reason, it's much harder for your employer to claim yours was performance-related. Make sure to keep filing your weekly claims during the adjudication process and respond quickly to any requests for information. The fact that they're changing their story from budget cuts to performance issues will likely raise red flags with the adjudicator. Stay calm and stick to the facts - you've got this!

Hey Sean, I just went through this same process about 3 weeks ago! The phone option definitely exists but honestly the website is your best bet once you get it working. I had the same timeout issues you're describing - what finally worked for me was using a different device entirely (switched from my laptop to my phone) and filing around 11 PM when hardly anyone else was online. The mobile version of their site actually seemed more stable than the desktop version. If you do end up calling, try calling right at 8 AM when they open - that's when I had the best luck getting through. Also make sure you have your W-2s or pay stubs handy regardless of which method you use, they'll need your quarterly earnings info. Good luck!

I'm new to this whole unemployment process and this thread has been incredibly helpful! Just wanted to add that I successfully filed my NY unemployment claim by phone yesterday after reading all your advice. I called 1-888-209-8124 at exactly 8:00 AM and got through after about 45 minutes on hold. The rep was really patient and helpful - they walked me through each section and made sure I understood what documents I'd need for weekly certification. One thing they emphasized was having your direct deposit info ready when you call, as they can set that up during the initial claim process. For anyone still deciding between phone vs online, the rep told me that while online is faster for processing, phone claims get the same priority once they're in the system. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - it made the whole process much less stressful!

This is so frustrating!! Why can't they just have clear rules about this stuff? Like if you worked for almost 30 years you should be able to get something to help with the gap. The system is broken.

I'm in a similar situation and did some research on this. From what I've learned, you might have better luck if you can frame it as being available for work rather than retirement. The NYS Department of Labor looks at whether you're genuinely seeking employment. If you file and emphasize that you're looking for work (even part-time) during this transition period, and you meet the work search requirements, you might have a shot. Just don't mention "retirement" in your application - focus on being between jobs and actively seeking employment. Document your job search efforts thoroughly in case they ask for proof.