I'm new to seasonal work and just finished my first stint at a holiday gift wrapping station at the mall. This thread has been incredibly eye-opening - I had no clue seasonal workers could even apply for unemployment! I always assumed you needed a "regular" job to qualify. Now I'm wondering if my 6 weeks of gift wrapping work plus some odd jobs I did over the summer (house sitting, dog walking, some freelance tutoring) would be enough to meet those wage requirements everyone's mentioning. The $2,600 base period minimum sounds kind of intimidating when you're piecing together different types of work. Has anyone here successfully qualified with a mix of seasonal employment and gig work like mine? I'm nervous about applying if my work history looks too scattered, but reading everyone's positive experiences is making me think it might be worth a shot!

I'm just getting started with seasonal work (this was my first year doing a summer landscaping job) and I'm so relieved to find this discussion! I was completely clueless about unemployment benefits for seasonal workers and honestly thought we were just supposed to figure it out on our own during the off-months. Reading everyone's experiences here has been incredibly helpful - especially learning about the base period requirements and the importance of keeping detailed job search records. I'm planning to file my first claim next week now that my landscaping season is officially over. One question for the experienced folks here - when you're between seasonal jobs, do you find it helpful to take on any temporary or part-time work to supplement the unemployment benefits, or does that complicate things too much with the weekly reporting requirements? I'm trying to figure out the best strategy for getting through the winter months before landscaping season starts up again in spring.

Holy cow, reading through all these comments has been more helpful than hours of googling! 🙏 I've been stuck in the same customer service hell for 3 days now. Definitely going to try the lunch hour timing + pressing 0 trick that @Chloe Martin confirmed works, and also downloading the app for that secure message feature @Connor Richards mentioned. It's crazy how they hide all these actually useful contact methods while making their phone system nearly impossible to navigate. Thanks everyone for sharing real solutions instead of just complaining - this community is gold! 💯

Been lurking here for weeks with the same exact problem! Finally decided to create an account because this thread is pure gold 🏆 I've tried literally everything - calling at different times, pressing random buttons, even tried that sketchy callback number I found on Reddit. Nothing worked until I read all your tips. Just tried the secure messaging feature on the app that @Connor Richards mentioned and WOW - already got an automated confirmation that my message was received and they'll respond within 24 hours. That's more progress than I've made in 2 weeks of phone calls! Also scheduling my callback request for tomorrow during lunch hour using @Logan Stewart's tip. Y'all are lifesavers - this is exactly why I love this community! Will report back with results 🤞

I'm so sorry to hear about your company closing after 15 years - that must be incredibly difficult for you and all your coworkers. You definitely qualify for unemployment benefits since this is a business closure, which is considered involuntary separation through no fault of your own. One thing I'd suggest is creating a timeline of important dates (closure announcement, last day of work, when benefits should start) to help you stay organized throughout the process. Also, if your company has an employee handbook or any written policies about layoffs, grab a copy of those too. Sometimes they contain useful information about final pay, accrued vacation time, or other benefits that could affect your unemployment claim timing. The fact that you're thinking ahead and asking these questions now shows you're already on the right track. Don't let the paperwork intimidate you - thousands of people successfully navigate this process every year, and business closures are actually some of the more straightforward cases for approval since there's no dispute about the reason for separation.

I'm really sorry to hear about your company closing - that's such a tough situation to face, especially after 15 years. But yes, you absolutely qualify for unemployment benefits! Business closure is one of the clearest cases for UI eligibility since it's completely involuntary. I'd recommend getting organized now while you still have access to everything at work. Make sure to save copies of any company emails about the closure, your recent pay stubs, and get your supervisor's contact info before everyone scatters. The online filing process through my.ny.gov is pretty straightforward once you get started. File your claim the week you actually become unemployed, not before. Also, if your company offers any severance, make sure to report that as it might affect when your benefits start. You're smart to start preparing now - having your documentation ready will make the whole process much smoother. Hang in there!

my cousin went through this exact thing. had to wait until she got a new job and worked for a few months before she could file a new claim. it sucks but thats how the system works i guess

I went through this same situation about 6 months ago. You definitely need to have worked and earned new wages since your benefit year started to qualify for a new claim. The earnings requirement Isabella mentioned is correct - $2,600 in your highest quarter plus total wages of at least 1.5 times that amount. I'd recommend checking your online account or calling to see what wage credits you have on file. Even if you don't qualify for regular UI right now, you might be eligible for other programs like SNAP or emergency assistance while you continue job searching. Don't give up - the job market is tough but there are resources available to help bridge the gap.

Just want to add - make sure your base period wages are calculated correctly. Sometimes there can be issues if your employer didn't report wages properly before you were incarcerated. You might need to provide pay stubs or other documentation to verify your work history. Also be prepared that your claim might go into adjudication while they review your case, which can add several weeks to the process.

I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago after being released. The process was definitely nerve-wracking but it worked out. A few things that helped me: First, gather all your employment documents from before incarceration - W2s, pay stubs, anything that proves your work history. Second, when you file online, there's a section where you can explain gaps in employment - be honest but brief. Third, start documenting your job search immediately with dates, company names, and how you applied. I kept a simple spreadsheet that saved me when they asked for proof later. The waiting period was tough (about 4 weeks for me) but I did get approved. Don't let the fear stop you from applying - you earned those benefits through your previous work. Good luck!