Other things that can disqualify you - not reporting work or income when you file your weekly claims, being out of state without permission, not being physically able to work, turning down job offers that match your skills and pay range. The system is designed to catch people who aren't genuinely looking for work.

ugh the whole system is so frustrating!! they make it impossible to get benefits even when you legitimately need them. i know people who got denied for the stupidest reasons

Just make sure you're still doing your required job search activities while you're away. NYS Department of Labor requires proof of work search efforts, so keep track of any applications you submit or networking you do during your trip.

I'd recommend calling NYS Department of Labor directly to get official guidance on your specific situation. While the general rule is that you need to remain available for work, there can be nuances depending on the length of your trip and your circumstances. Document everything - your travel dates, continued job search efforts, and any communication with the department. Also consider whether you could realistically start a job immediately if offered one while you're away visiting family.

The adjudication process for business owners is a nightmare! I've been waiting 3 weeks just to speak to someone at NYS Department of Labor about my eligibility. Every time I call the main number I get disconnected or put on hold for hours. Has anyone found a way to actually reach a real person there?

Just be honest on your application about being the business owner. NYS Department of Labor will find out anyway when they verify your employment history. The key is showing that the closure was due to economic necessity, not choice. Good luck!

Quick question - are you sure you need to reset your mother's maiden name? When I had issues with direct deposit, they just had me verify the last 4 digits of my bank account. Might be worth double-checking what info they actually need.

I went through this same exact issue about 6 months ago! The key thing is to be really specific when you call - tell them you need to "update security question responses for direct deposit verification" rather than just saying you want to reset your mother's maiden name. That seemed to help the rep understand exactly what I needed. Also, they made me answer a bunch of other verification questions first (like previous addresses, employment history, etc.) before they'd let me update the maiden name. The whole call took about 45 minutes but it was worth it to finally get my direct deposit working again. Hope this helps!

Update on my similar situation: quit in February for childcare, applied in March, got questionnaire in April, and FINALLY got approved last week. But here's the thing - they only approved me after I got through to an actual person who reviewed my case. The online system is useless for complicated cases like ours.

I'm in a very similar boat - had to quit my job in March when my daughter's daycare suddenly closed and I couldn't find backup care. Just submitted my questionnaire last week and now playing the waiting game. Reading all these responses is both encouraging and terrifying! It sounds like the key is getting an actual human to review your case rather than letting it sit in the automated system forever. I'm going to give it another week or two before trying one of those callback services people mentioned. Fingers crossed we both get approved soon - the financial stress is real! 🤞