Here's what I learned after dealing with NYS Department of Labor for months - you need to meet the basic eligibility first: worked enough hours in your base period, lost work through no fault of your own, able and available for work, and actively job searching. The 'when' really depends on WHY you're unemployed. Layoffs = immediate eligibility. Firing for performance = usually eligible after adjudication. Quitting = very limited eligibility unless you can prove good cause. If you're having trouble reaching NYS Department of Labor to ask about your specific situation, I had success using claimyr.com - they help you get through to actual agents. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works.

just wanted to add my experience - i was able to file immediately when i got laid off but it still took forever for my first payment because of some stupid adjudication thing. the whole process is such a nightmare honestly

I had trouble reaching NYS Department of Labor to get details about my disqualification too. Kept getting busy signals and disconnected calls. Finally used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get through to an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. The agent was able to explain exactly why I was disqualified and what my options were for appeal.

THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO DENY PEOPLE!! They make it so confusing on purpose so you give up and don't appeal. Don't let them win - file that appeal and fight it!

If you're having trouble getting through to NYS Department of Labor to ask about DUA eligibility, I had good luck using Claimyr (claimyr.com) to actually reach a real person. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. I was stuck trying to figure out if I qualified for DUA or regular UI after storm damage, and talking to an actual NYS Department of Labor rep helped me understand which program applied to my situation.

Just want to add that DUA applications usually have pretty tight deadlines once they open up. I think it's like 30 days from when the application period starts? Don't wait around if you think you might qualify - get your paperwork together now in case they announce DUA is available for your flooding incident.

If you run into issues getting through to someone at NYS Department of Labor (their phone lines are always swamped), I had good luck using a service called Claimyr at claimyr.com. They helped me get connected to an actual agent when I couldn't get through on my own. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Really helped when I had questions about my claim status that I couldn't figure out online.

Don't forget you'll need to file weekly claims every week once you're approved, even if you haven't found work yet. And they require you to do job searches now - I think it's 3 contacts per week but double check that when you file.

ugh the whole system is such a nightmare. took me 6 weeks to get my first payment because they kept asking for more documentation. make sure you answer every single message they send you or your claim will just sit there forever

The key is being super responsive to any requests from NYS Department of Labor and making sure you file your weekly claims on time every week. Even if your initial claim is still pending, you need to keep filing weekly or you'll lose benefits for those weeks. Also double-check that all your employer information is exactly correct when you file - any discrepancies can trigger adjudication which adds weeks to the process.