I'm in a very similar situation - just finished a 10-month contract role where I was classified as 1099 but worked like a regular employee (fixed schedule, company laptop, attended team meetings, etc.). Reading these responses gives me hope! I've been hesitant to file because I wasn't sure if my previous W-2 earnings would count, but it sounds like NYS Department of Labor bases eligibility on your employment history, not just your most recent work. Planning to file online this weekend. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - this thread is more helpful than the official DOL website!

Just wanted to add my experience for anyone else in this situation - I was in almost the exact same boat last year with a 9-month contract that ended. NYS Department of Labor approved my claim within 2 weeks based on my W-2 employment history from the previous year. The key thing I learned is that they look at your "base period" which is typically the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you file. So even though my most recent work was 1099, I had enough W-2 earnings in my base period to qualify. My advice: file immediately online, be completely honest about all work including the contract role, and keep records of everything. The online application will ask about all employment in the past 18 months anyway, so there's no point in trying to hide the contract work. NYS Department of Labor is actually pretty good at sorting through these situations - they see misclassified contractors all the time.

I had the exact same concern when I was laid off from my job in Rochester last month! My HR department actually explained this to me - they said the state requires all employers to pay into the unemployment insurance system throughout the year, kind of like how we all pay into Social Security. When you file for benefits, you're just accessing a fund that your employer (and you through payroll deductions) already contributed to. My former employer was actually supportive when I filed because they understood it wasn't coming out of their current budget. Don't let this worry prevent you from getting the support you're entitled to - especially if you were laid off through no fault of your own.

I went through this exact situation a few months ago and was so relieved to learn how it actually works! The key thing to remember is that unemployment insurance is exactly that - insurance. Your employer has been paying premiums into the state system all along, just like they pay workers' comp insurance. When you file a claim, the state pays you from that insurance fund, not from your employer's operating budget. Yes, frequent claims can raise their future premium rates, but that's how all insurance works. If you were laid off due to budget cuts (which sounds like your situation), most reasonable employers expect former employees to file for benefits - it's what the system is designed for. Don't let fear of awkwardness prevent you from accessing benefits you've earned and deserve!

I'm in almost the exact same situation and this thread has been so helpful! I'm at week 24 of my benefits and starting to panic about what happens next. Based on what everyone is sharing here, it sounds like the key things are: 1) Keep filing weekly claims no matter what, 2) Watch for that notice in the mail about 3-4 weeks before benefits end, 3) Don't wait until the last minute to take action. I'm definitely going to look into the American Job Center that Tasia mentioned - having someone explain all the options in person sounds way better than trying to decode the NYS DOL website on my own. Has anyone here actually gone through the process of getting extended benefits approved? I'm curious how long that takes and if there's typically a gap in payments while they process everything.

I'm coming up on my 22nd week and this conversation has been incredibly reassuring - I was starting to think I'd just fall off a cliff when my benefits end! Reading about everyone's experiences, it sounds like the most important things are staying on top of the weekly filings and not panicking when you get close to the end. I had no idea about the American Job Center resources either - definitely going to look into that. One question for those who've been through extensions: do they require you to expand your job search requirements or take any additional steps during the extended benefits period? I want to make sure I'm prepared for any changes to what's expected of me.

Just wanted to add that you should definitely apply ASAP since there's usually a waiting period before benefits start. Also, keep all your pay stubs and any paperwork from the resort - NYS Department of Labor will need to verify your wages. I worked seasonal construction and it took a few weeks to get everything processed. One tip: when you file your weekly claims, be honest about any odd jobs or cash work you might pick up between seasons since they'll cross-reference with other agencies.

Just want to second what others said about applying quickly! I worked at a seasonal beach resort on Long Island and was able to collect UI between seasons. One thing I learned the hard way - make sure you understand your "benefit year" dates. NYS Department of Labor calculates your benefits based on wages from a specific 12-month period, and if you wait too long to file, you might miss out on including your most recent seasonal earnings. Also, if your resort does file standby paperwork, you'll get a notice about it - don't assume they did it automatically. I'd recommend calling them to confirm whether they're putting you on standby status or if you need to do regular job searches.

I'm in almost the exact same situation! Been doing seasonal landscaping work for the past few years and just had my position end in late October. The whole unemployment process seemed so intimidating at first, but reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly helpful. I'm planning to file my claim this week and feel much more confident now about being upfront regarding the seasonal nature of my work. The tip about keeping detailed documentation is something I definitely need to work on - I've been pretty casual about record keeping but realize that's going to be crucial. One thing I'm curious about is whether anyone has experience with employers who don't provide formal end-of-season notices? My landscaping company is pretty small and informal, so I'm not sure I'll get official paperwork showing it was seasonal employment rather than just being "let go." Has anyone dealt with creating their own documentation in situations like that? Also really appreciate the advice about mixing seasonal job applications with some year-round options for the job search requirements - that seems like a practical approach that shows you're genuinely looking while being realistic about your work pattern.

Hey Amara! I totally get the concern about informal employers not providing official documentation - I had a similar situation with a small family-owned resort I worked for. What I did was create my own paper trail throughout the season. I saved any text messages or emails about my start date, took photos of job postings if they mentioned seasonal work, and even kept screenshots of my work schedule that showed the seasonal pattern. At the end of the season, I asked my supervisor for a simple letter confirming my employment dates and stating it was seasonal work - most small employers are willing to provide that even if they don't have formal HR processes. You could also ask coworkers to be references if needed, since they can vouch for the seasonal nature of the work. The key is having something that shows the temporary nature wasn't your choice but rather how the business operates. Don't stress too much about it being "official" - the unemployment office understands that small seasonal employers often operate informally. Just be honest about your situation and have whatever documentation you can gather ready to show the seasonal pattern. Good luck with your filing!