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I'm so glad I found this thread! I just submitted my unemployment application yesterday through my.ny.gov and literally got a job offer call this morning. I was panicking about how to handle this properly without messing anything up for the future. Reading through everyone's detailed experiences here is incredibly reassuring - it's clear that calling NYS Department of Labor directly is definitely the right approach. Based on all the advice shared, I'm planning to call tomorrow morning right at 8:00 AM with my SSN, application confirmation number, and submission date all ready to go. It's so helpful to know the agents are understanding about these situations and that properly withdrawing the claim actually helps their system rather than creating problems. The persistence with redialing seems to be the key, but knowing it typically only takes 5-10 minutes once you get connected makes it totally worth the effort. Thanks to everyone who took the time to share their recent experiences - this thread has been a lifesaver for knowing exactly how to handle this situation properly!
That's such perfect timing with your job offer! You're absolutely doing the smart thing by planning to call tomorrow morning with all your info organized. Based on everyone's experiences shared in this thread, it really seems like the 8 AM strategy with persistence on the redials is the golden approach. It's so reassuring to see how many people have successfully navigated this exact situation recently - makes it clear the NYS Department of Labor agents handle these withdrawal requests routinely and professionally. The fact that you'll get both an immediate confirmation number and email verification should give you complete peace of mind. Good luck with your call tomorrow and huge congratulations on the job offer! It's amazing how quickly things can turn around. Would love to hear how it goes if you end up updating us with your experience.
I went through this exact same situation about 6 weeks ago! Filed my unemployment application on a Friday and got an unexpected job offer the following Wednesday. I was really stressed about how to properly handle the withdrawal without creating any complications. I called the NYS Department of Labor customer service line (number is in your my.ny.gov account) at 8:05 AM on Thursday morning. It took me roughly 32 redials to finally get through to an agent, but once connected, the process was incredibly smooth and efficient. The representative was very understanding and professional - they asked for my Social Security number, full name, and the date I originally submitted my application. Within about 6 minutes, they had completely withdrawn my claim from their system and provided me with a confirmation number, which I immediately wrote down and saved. I also received an email confirmation later that same day for my records. The agent actually thanked me for calling to properly withdraw the claim rather than just abandoning it, explaining that it helps them manage their workload more effectively. They assured me there were absolutely no penalties involved and that this withdrawal wouldn't negatively impact any future unemployment applications if I ever needed to file again. My strong recommendation is to call as early as possible in the morning (8 AM really does seem to be optimal based on everyone's experiences), have all your documentation ready before you call, and don't get discouraged by the busy signals - just keep persistently redialing until you connect. It's definitely worth the effort to handle this properly and officially close out your claim. Congratulations on finding employment so quickly - what a great problem to have!
This has been such an incredibly comprehensive discussion! I'm actually in a somewhat similar situation - my company has been hinting at "restructuring" and I want to be prepared just in case. Reading through all these experiences has been like getting a crash course in severance and unemployment benefits that I never knew I needed. The key insights I'm taking away are: 1) The critical distinction between "wages in lieu of notice" vs true severance payments, 2) How payment structure (lump sum vs installments) can dramatically affect benefit timing, 3) The importance of checking for work restrictions in severance agreements, and 4) Filing unemployment claims immediately regardless of severance status. One question I have for those who've navigated this - did you find it helpful to start researching and preparing documentation before you were actually laid off, or is that just creating unnecessary stress? I'm torn between wanting to be prepared and not wanting to borrow trouble. Also really appreciate the mention of services like Claimyr for actually reaching DOL representatives - the idea of spending hours on hold during an already stressful time sounds awful. Thanks to everyone who shared their real experiences here!
@Luca Russo I think doing some basic preparation without going overboard makes a lot of sense! From reading this thread, it seems like having a general understanding of the key questions to ask like (the wages "in lieu of notice distinction" and) knowing what documentation you might need could really help if the situation does arise. But I wouldn t'stress too much about getting into all the specifics until you know for sure what s'happening. Maybe just bookmark this thread and familiarize yourself with the main concepts so you re'not starting from scratch if you do need to have those HR conversations. The one thing that seems universally helpful is understanding that you should file for unemployment immediately when separated, regardless of severance timing - that alone could save weeks of delays. I m'also keeping that Claimyr service in my back pocket since it sounds like reaching the DOL directly can be such a nightmare. Better to have the information and not need it than to be scrambling to figure everything out while dealing with the stress of job loss!
This discussion has been absolutely phenomenal - probably one of the most comprehensive resources I've seen on this topic! I'm currently facing a potential layoff situation myself (company announced "cost optimization" measures last week, which we all know is code for cuts). Reading through everyone's detailed experiences has been incredibly enlightening and honestly a bit overwhelming with how many variables are involved. The key insight for me was learning that not all severance is created equal - the "wages in lieu of notice" distinction could completely change my strategy. I'm definitely going to ask HR specifically about that classification and any work restrictions. One thing I'm planning to do differently based on this thread is to prepare multiple scenarios in advance. If I get offered severance options, I want to understand the unemployment implications of each before making a decision. The lump sum vs payment plan consideration alone could make a huge difference in my financial planning. Also bookmarking that Claimyr service since it sounds like getting through to DOL directly is nearly impossible. Thanks to everyone who shared their real experiences here - this community knowledge is so much more valuable than trying to navigate government websites alone!
@Gemma Andrews This thread really has become the ultimate resource for severance and unemployment questions! Your approach of preparing multiple scenarios in advance is really smart - it s'so much better to understand all the implications before you re'in the middle of negotiations with HR. I m'in a similar situation where my company just announced restructuring "we" (all know what that means ,)and reading through everyone s'experiences has been both educational and reassuring that I m'not alone in dealing with this complexity. The fact that you re'already thinking about preparing different severance scenarios shows you re'really taking control of the situation. I m'also planning to use that DOL severance calculator that @AstroAce mentioned to model out different options before any conversations happen. It s'incredible how this started as a straightforward question from @Maya Patel and evolved into this comprehensive guide that s helping'so many of us navigate these stressful situations. The community knowledge shared here is honestly invaluable - way more practical than anything you ll find'on official websites!
Just file now and don't wait any longer! Even though you missed those weeks, you'll still be eligible for future weeks. The longer you wait, the more money you're potentially losing. The application process takes time anyway and there might be an adjudication period where they review your claim.
I went through something similar when I lost my job last year. The key thing is to file TODAY - don't wait another day. While you can't get those 6 weeks back, you're still eligible for up to 26 weeks of benefits going forward. When you file online, there's a section where you can explain why you delayed filing - be honest about your situation. Even if they can't backdate it, at least you'll have it on record. Also, make sure you certify for benefits every week once you're approved, even if you're still job searching. Missing weekly certifications can cause delays in payments too.
I had issues with NYS Department of Labor when I needed to verify our account information for quarterly filings. Spent forever on hold trying to reach someone. If you need to talk to them about your employer account, I found this service called Claimyr that helped me get through to an actual person at claimyr.com. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Saved me hours of calling.
Just double check that $12k amount because I swear it was different last year... these government numbers change so much its hard to keep track
You're right to double check! The wage base can change from year to year. For 2025 it is indeed $12,000, but it was $12,000 in 2024 too so it stayed the same this time. Always good practice to verify with the official NYS DOL website or your payroll provider at the start of each year since these amounts do get adjusted periodically.
Zane Hernandez
same boat here, got let go last month
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Benjamin Carter
I went through something similar a few months ago. Got fired for "performance issues" but really it was because I had to miss work for medical appointments. When I filed with NYS Department of Labor, I made sure to document everything - dates I was out, reasons why, any communication with my supervisor about it. They actually approved my claim after about 2 weeks of review. The key is being completely honest in your application and providing any documentation you have about your health issues if you have it. Even informal conversations with your supervisor about appointments can help your case. Don't let them intimidate you - you paid into the system and have every right to apply.
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