The unemployment system is so messed up honestly. They make it seem like there's all these different categories but really it just comes down to whether they want to approve you or not. I've seen people get denied for the stupidest reasons and others get approved when they probably shouldn't have.

From my experience, the most straightforward cases are mass layoffs, plant closures, and end of temporary assignments. Individual terminations get more scrutiny. Make sure you have documentation of your separation and be honest about the circumstances when you file.

Just to add - you also have to be able and available for work and actively looking. That means registering with the job search system and documenting your search activities. The job search requirement is 3 work search activities per week unless you're on standby with your employer.

Yeah standby is when your employer gives you a specific return-to-work date within 30 days. Then you don't have to do the job search stuff but you still have to file weekly claims and be available if they call you back sooner.

I had trouble reaching NYS Department of Labor during peak unemployment but found this service called Claimyr at claimyr.com that helped me get through to an agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Really helped when the phone lines were constantly busy.

Yeah but when unemployment is low they also cut staff at NYS Department of Labor thinking they don't need as many people. Then when things get bad again they're understaffed and everything falls apart. It's a cycle.

The appeal process for wrongful denial can take several weeks but it's definitely worth fighting if you were truly laid off. Make sure you keep filing your weekly claims even while the appeal is pending - you can get backpay if you win. Also document everything about your job search in case they ask about that during the appeal hearing.

wait so even if they deny you initially you can still get money later? I thought once they said no that was it

This reminds me of when I was laid off during the 2008 recession. Unemployment was through the roof and everyone was competing for the same few jobs. NYS Department of Labor actually had to extend benefit periods back then because people genuinely couldn't find work despite meeting all their job search requirements. Different situation now but similar pressures in certain areas.

From an economic perspective, high unemployment creates a feedback loop - fewer people working means less consumer spending, which leads to more business struggles and layoffs. NYS Department of Labor tracks these patterns to adjust policies. Your individual claim processing shouldn't be affected, but job search expectations might be more realistic in high-unemployment areas.