I was struggling to get through to NYS Department of Labor to ask similar questions about my benefit calculation. The phone lines are always busy and I kept getting disconnected. Someone on here mentioned using claimyr.com to help get through to an actual agent - they have some kind of system that calls you back when an agent is available. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Might be worth checking out if you need to speak to someone directly about your specific situation.

Just remember that unemployment is taxable income so you might want to have them withhold taxes from your weekly payments. You can set that up when you file your initial claim or change it later in your account settings.

I had trouble getting clear information about my exhaustee status when I called the NYS Department of Labor directly. The wait times were insane and when I finally got through, the agent wasn't very helpful. I ended up using Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get connected to an actual NYS Department of Labor representative who could explain my options. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Much easier than sitting on hold for hours!

Being an exhaustee also affects how you file if you become unemployed again in the future. You might need to establish a new benefit year rather than continuing your old claim. The NYS Department of Labor looks at your earnings history differently for exhaustees versus people who are still within their original benefit year.

Before you quit make sure you have EVERYTHING documented. Screenshots of your schedule showing the hour cuts, printed emails of your HR complaints, maybe even record the inappropriate comments if you can do it legally. NYS Department of Labor will want proof that you didn't just quit because you felt like it. Also file your claim immediately after quitting - don't wait or you might lose benefits for those weeks.

ugh the system is so messed up... why should you have to PROVE you deserve help when you're already in a bad situation?? like if someone quits theres probably a good reason

Wait so they can just deny you even if you were laid off?? I thought unemployment was guaranteed if you lost your job. This is making me nervous about my own situation - I was let go last month and still waiting to hear back on my claim.

File that appeal ASAP! The 30-day deadline is firm and if you miss it you're basically out of luck. I learned this the hard way when I procrastinated on mine.

same boat here. been unemployed 4 months and yeah it affects everything. my credit score dropped, had to move back with my parents, lost my health insurance through work. the domino effect is crazy

For anyone dealing with these multiple impacts of unemployment, remember that most of these problems are temporary if you stay focused on your job search and maintain your NYS Department of Labor benefits properly. Consider looking into community resources for mental health support, food assistance, and utility help if needed. The key is addressing both the immediate financial needs and the emotional/psychological effects simultaneously.