NY unemployment confusion after part-time job training but not actually working yet

You need to call them asap and explain. The online system is terrible with edge cases like yours. I went thru something similar when I took a training course before a seasonal job started.

After months of getting nowhere with NY unemployment I finally found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an actual human at the office. They handle all the calling and waiting on hold, then connect you when someone picks up. Once I talked to the agent they fixed everything in 10 minutes! Talking to a live person got my payments flowing again so fast. Check out how it works: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE

When ur in training and not getting paid, your still considered unemployed. But the system isnt smart enough to know the difference. You have to talk to a person who can override the system and mark it correctly.

OMG I had the EXACT same situation last year! I did training for a school job but wasn't officially starting for weeks. What you need to do is report that you are PARTIALLY employed but with zero hours for those weeks. Don't report that you have a job and don't report that you don't have a job. When it asks you if you worked, say YES but then put 0 hours. There should be a notes/comments section where you explain you're in training but not paid yet.

Listen, the NY unemloyment system is a straight up DISASTER. It's not designed to handle normal human job situations at all. I went through something similar and FINALLY got it resolved after talking to an actual person. Here's what happened: Its all about the wording with them. You need to be crystal clear that you have ACCEPTED a position but have NOT STARTED WORKING yet. The training is preparatory but not actual work. You're still officially unemployed until you start the job and receive compensation. The questions they ask are designed for regular situations, not edge cases like yours. If you answer wrong, the system automatically cuts you off without understanding context. For anyone in this situation: 1. You need to speak to a real human at NYSDOL who can override the system 2. Be super clear about timelines - when you were offered job, when training happened, when actual paid work begins 3. Have paystubs/offer letters ready to prove your situation 4. Keep certifying even if payments stop - you'll get backpay once fixed 5. If you can't get through on the phone (which is likely), try claimyr.com - they'll handle the wait and connect you to an agent The system is genuinely terrible at handling anything that doesn't fit their narrow definitions of employment status. You absolutely CAN still collect until your actual paid work begins!

if ur in training = not earning wages = still eligible 4 benefits. they just make it confusing so people give up. dont stop claiming!!! u need 2 talk to a real person tho cuz the system is stupid af

This is why I gave up on unemployment. Too much headache to deal with their rules that make no sense.

The key is how they define "employment" - in NY unemployment's eyes, you're employed when you START EARNING WAGES, not when you accept a job or do unpaid training. Everything depends on when money changes hands. If you haven't been paid, you're technically still unemployed regardless of having a future start date. But their system doesn't recognize this nuance.

you did the right thing in my opinion. if ur not earning wages, ur unemployed, period. the system just sucks at understanding real-world situations 🤮

Quick answer: Call them. Now let me tell you about my experience: I work seasonal jobs and go through this EXACT issue twice a year. The unemployment system basically has no concept of the gap between "hired" and "working AND getting paid." I've learned that you need to certify that you're still unemployed (because you actually are!) until you start receiving wages. But here's the thing - the system will flag you and potentially stop payments. The ONLY solution is to get a human on the phone who can correct it. Unfortunately this means calling repeatedly for days or using a service like Claimyr that will handle the calling and waiting for you. But once you reach someone, they can fix it in 5 minutes.

I'm going through EXACTLY this right now!!!! Did anyone figure it out??

they always try to stop ur benefits any way they can. fight it!

Its a common problem. Technically your unemployed until you start work AND get paid. But the automated system doesn't understand nuance. I recommend being as accurate as possible and then requesting a callback to explain the situation when the system inevitably messes it up.

Everyone saying "just call them" has apparently never tried calling NY unemployment 🤣 I spent 3 weeks trying before I found claimyr.com and finally got through. Worth every penny to get my issue fixed and payments flowing again!

Ugh I know exactly what ur going through. The whole system is designed to confuse us. My advice is NEVER press the buttons that say you have returned to work until you've actually started GETTING PAID. Training doesn't count as employment in their system. But once you answer those questions wrong it's nearly impossible to fix online.

This is why the entire unemployment system needs to be rebuilt from scratch. It's not designed for how jobs actually work in 2023.

The NY unemployment handbook actually addresses this! Page 23 says "Training that is required by an employer prior to actual work beginning is not considered work for unemployment insurance purposes." But good luck getting the automated system to understand that 😑

I bet a million dollars that if you call and talk to an actual person, they'll fix it in 5 minutes. The problem is getting through to them...

The way that I finally got through to someone at ny unemployment was using claimyr.com - it makes the calls for you and connects when an agent answers. Totally worth it after I wasted days trying to call myself.