This is exactly why I hate dealing with unemployment. They use all these weird terms that aren't explained anywhere and then expect you to figure it out on your own. The whole system is designed to confuse people into giving up.

definitely appeal this. sounds like they made an error or got bad information about your employment

don't forget that unemployed people still spend money which generates sales tax revenue, it's not like the government loses ALL tax income from unemployed people

Good point about sales taxes, though the spending patterns change significantly. People on unemployment typically reduce discretionary spending, which affects overall economic activity and tax generation. It's a cascading effect that goes beyond just the direct loss of income taxes.

I had trouble reaching NYS Department of Labor when my claim was under review after being terminated. Spent weeks trying to call them with no luck. Finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to an actual agent who explained exactly what documentation I needed for my case. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Really helped me understand the process better and get my claim approved.

The unemployment system is so confusing!! I got fired from my job last year and it took forever to figure out if I was eligible or not. They make you jump through so many hoops and the website is impossible to navigate. But yeah, generally speaking if you get fired for performance issues rather than misconduct you should be able to get benefits.

The NYS Department of Labor system is so confusing with these calculations. They sent me a monetary determination letter but the math still doesn't add up even after reading it 5 times. Why can't they just explain it in plain English?

One thing people miss is that if you worked in multiple states during your base period, you might be able to combine wages for a higher benefit amount. NYS Department of Labor has interstate agreements for this but you have to specifically request it.

Same boat here, lost my restaurant job 6 weeks ago. What helped me was making a strict weekly budget based on my UI payment amount. I use every free resource possible - library internet for job searching, food banks, even got help with my electric bill through HEAP. Also make sure you're claiming your benefits on time every week because missing even one certification can mess everything up.

oh also if you have any skills like writing or graphic design, try picking up some freelance work but make sure to report it properly when you file your weekly claim. you can earn a little extra without losing all your benefits