Just went through this same situation last month - employer contested claiming misconduct but it was really budget cuts. Here's what worked for me: bring copies of ANY documentation you have (layoff notices, emails mentioning budget issues, etc.) and keep them organized. Don't overthink it - if you were truly laid off due to budget constraints, that's your story and stick to it. When they ask about the misconduct allegation, just calmly say "I was not terminated for misconduct, I was laid off due to company budget cuts" and don't elaborate unless they ask specific follow-up questions. The interviewer dealt with cases like this all the time and could tell I was being honest. You'll do fine - the truth usually comes out in these interviews.

I just want to add - if they ask about your last day at work, keep it really simple. Just say something like "I was called into a meeting with HR and my supervisor and was informed that my position was being eliminated due to budget constraints." Don't mention if you were emotional, if you argued, or if you said anything you regret in the moment. Also, never say phrases like "I knew it was coming" or "I wasn't surprised" because they might twist that into you expecting to be fired for performance reasons. Even if the writing was on the wall with company finances, just focus on what actually happened that day. The key is to sound like someone who was genuinely caught off guard by a business decision, not someone who was terminated for cause.

I'm having the exact same issue! Just got that "not authorized" error this morning when trying to certify and it's been driving me crazy all day. I've been claiming for about 3 months with absolutely no problems until now. Reading through everyone's experiences here is actually really comforting - it's clear this is happening to a lot of people at the same time which definitely makes it seem like a system-wide problem rather than individual account issues. I'm going to try the incognito browser window trick first since that sounds like the quickest fix, then clear all my browser data completely if that doesn't work. If neither of those help, I'll definitely call that technical support number (1-888-581-5812) that someone mentioned - sounds way better than trying to get through the main claims line. The timing is just awful since I have rent due next week too, but it's reassuring to read that people have been able to get backpay even when they miss their certification window due to technical issues like this. Thanks everyone for sharing your solutions and experiences - this community is such a lifesaver when dealing with NY unemployment's disaster of a system! I'll post an update if any of these fixes work for me. Really hoping we all get this resolved quickly! 🤞

I'm dealing with this exact same "not authorized" error right now too! Just tried to certify this morning and got completely locked out. Been claiming for about 5 months with zero problems until today. Reading through everyone's experiences here is really helpful - it's both frustrating and reassuring to see so many people having this issue at the same time, which definitely suggests it's a system-wide problem rather than something wrong with individual accounts. I'm going to try the incognito browser window trick first since that seems like the quickest fix, then call that technical support number (1-888-581-5812) if that doesn't work. The timing is awful since I have utilities due this week, but it's comforting to know from other people's experiences that they can backdate payments once the issue gets resolved. Thanks everyone for sharing your solutions and experiences - this community is such a lifesaver when dealing with NY unemployment's broken system! Will definitely post an update if any of these fixes work for me. Hoping we all get this sorted out soon! 🤞

I'm new to this community and just wanted to echo what everyone else has been saying - this thread has been absolutely invaluable! I'm in a very similar situation (laid off last month with lump sum severance through February) and was completely overwhelmed trying to figure out the right approach. What really stands out to me is how unanimous the advice has been from people who've actually navigated this process. Everyone says file immediately, and the reasoning is crystal clear when you consider those processing delays. Waiting could easily cost you months of benefits due to bureaucratic timing alone. The practical tips shared here are gold - especially the 8 AM calling strategy, taking screenshots during application, and setting up those weekly certification reminders. I also hadn't realized how important it is to certify every single week during the severance period, even for $0 benefits. That continuity aspect makes total sense for maintaining your claim status. I filed my claim two days ago following all the guidance here, and the process was much smoother than I expected. The severance section was clearly marked just like everyone described, and the system did handle the weekly allocation calculations automatically. For anyone still hesitating - don't wait another day. This community has provided better guidance than anything you'll find through official channels. The system is designed to handle lump sum severance, and the earlier you file, the better positioned you'll be when your benefits should start. Trust the collective wisdom here!

I'm new to this community and just filed my unemployment claim yesterday after reading through this incredibly helpful thread! I was in the exact same situation - laid off two weeks ago with a lump sum severance payment covering through March 2025. I cannot thank everyone enough for sharing such detailed experiences. The unanimous advice to file immediately, despite having months of severance ahead, was exactly what I needed to hear. I was so confused about the timing and almost made the huge mistake of waiting until April to file. The application process was actually much smoother than I anticipated. The severance section was clearly laid out just like everyone described, with specific options for lump sum payments and coverage dates. The system automatically calculated my weekly allocation amount, which took a lot of stress out of the process. A few observations from my fresh experience that might help others: 1. The system saved my progress automatically as I went through each section, which was reassuring 2. Having all my employer information and severance documentation ready beforehand made a huge difference - the whole application took about 45 minutes 3. I immediately set up a Sunday 1 PM reminder for weekly certifications based on the advice here Now I'm prepared for the long processing wait (hopefully not the full 8 weeks some experienced!), but I feel confident that I'll be ready to receive benefits in April when my severance period ends. For anyone still on the fence - just do it today. This community has provided the exact roadmap you need to navigate this successfully. Don't let another day pass!

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!

I feel your pain on this one! The system is absolutely broken when it comes to retroactive claims. I had a similar situation where I was unemployed for 2 months but couldn't file due to some documentation issues, and it took me literally 6 weeks of calling every single day to get through to someone who could help. Here's what I learned: Don't waste time with the online chat or email - they're useless for complex stuff like this. You need to talk to an actual claims specialist. Try calling the moment they open at 8 AM sharp, and if that doesn't work, try again around 2-3 PM when some people might be finishing their lunch breaks. When you do get through, have EVERYTHING ready - your social, employment dates, reason for separation, any job search records you can find. They'll want to verify your eligibility for those 3 months and make sure you were actually looking for work. The good news is once you get the right person, they can usually backdate your claim pretty quickly. Don't let them tell you it's "too late" - there are provisions for situations exactly like yours where you had good cause for the delay. Keep fighting for what's yours!

I was in almost the exact same boat last year! Got laid off in September, couldn't file because of missing paperwork, struggled for months trying to get through. What finally worked for me was being super persistent with the calling - I literally set alarms for 8:00 AM sharp every weekday and kept hitting redial until someone picked up. The key thing is having your story straight and all your dates ready when you finally get through. They'll ask about your layoff date, why you couldn't file initially, what you did to look for work during those 3 months, etc. Even if you don't have perfect records, just be honest about your job search efforts. One thing that helped me was mentioning that my tax preparer advised me to claim the benefits - it shows you're not just trying to game the system. The agent I finally reached was actually pretty understanding once I explained the W2 situation. Don't let the current employment thing discourage you either. I was working part-time when I finally got my claim processed and they still backdated it no problem. You earned those benefits during the time you were actually unemployed and searching! Keep pushing - it took me about 3 weeks of daily calling but I eventually got every penny I was owed. That money made a huge difference during a really tough time.