Just want to add that attending career workshops or job training programs also count as work search activities. I went to a resume writing workshop at my local workforce center and it counted toward my weekly requirement.

I've been collecting unemployment for about 6 months now and wanted to share some additional tips for work search activities. Besides the standard job applications, you can also count networking events, informational interviews, and even reaching out to former colleagues about potential opportunities. I keep a spreadsheet with all my activities including company names, dates, contact info, and type of activity. The key is being consistent and genuine in your search efforts - don't just do the bare minimum of 3 activities if you're serious about finding work. Also, if you're in a specialized field, don't be afraid to reach out directly to hiring managers on LinkedIn - this counts as a work search activity too!

I'm currently waiting for my appeal decision after a hearing two weeks ago for a similar constructive dismissal case. This thread has been incredibly helpful in understanding what to expect once I hopefully win. The consistent timeline everyone is sharing (10-15 business days for status change, then payments within a few days) gives me realistic expectations. One question - did anyone have issues with their employer trying to contest the appeal decision after losing? My former employer seemed pretty upset during the hearing and I'm worried they might try to drag this out further somehow. Also wondering if there's any notification when your status changes or if you just have to keep checking the website daily like Sofia mentioned?

I just won my constructive dismissal appeal last week and this thread has been so helpful! I'm on day 6 since the hearing decision and my status still shows "appeal decision pending implementation." Based on everyone's experiences here, it sounds like I should expect the status change sometime in the next week or so, then payments shortly after. I was initially denied for "voluntary quit" but had solid documentation showing my employer created impossible working conditions that forced me to leave. The hearing went well and I represented myself successfully. I'm owed 5 weeks of back pay and really need this money to catch up on bills. It's reassuring to see so many people with similar cases who eventually got their full back pay. The waiting is definitely stressful but knowing the typical 3-4 week total timeline helps manage expectations. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - it makes this process much less scary when you know what to expect!

I'm currently in this situation too and this thread has been incredibly reassuring! I accepted a job offer yesterday that doesn't start for 3 weeks due to their new hire orientation schedule. I was really anxious about whether I should immediately stop my weekly claims or continue filing. Based on all the experiences shared here, it's clear that continuing to collect benefits while being completely honest about having a future job offer is the right approach. The consistent message from everyone who's actually been through this process is that NYS Department of Labor expects and handles these transition periods routinely. I'm going to follow the advice here - keep filing weekly, report the job offer honestly when prompted, and stop only when I actually start working and earning wages. Thanks to everyone for sharing their real-world experiences - it's made this whole situation so much less stressful!

I'm currently dealing with this exact situation and wanted to add my experience. I accepted a job offer two weeks ago that starts next month due to their quarterly training program. After reading through everyone's experiences here, I decided to continue filing my weekly claims while being completely transparent about having a future job offer. So far it's been working smoothly - when the weekly certification asks about job offers or employment prospects, I simply report that I've accepted a position with a specific start date. NYS Department of Labor hasn't questioned this approach at all. What's been most helpful is seeing how many people have successfully navigated this same scenario. It really reinforces that this is a normal part of the employment process that the system is designed to handle, not some kind of gray area we need to worry about!

Sorry to hear about the potential layoff situation - that's really stressful! Just wanted to add that when you do file with NYS Department of Labor, make sure you have your direct deposit info ready so you can get payments faster once approved. Also, if your employer offers any severance package, that might affect when your benefits start, so mention it when you file your claim. The good news is layoffs are pretty straightforward cases for unemployment eligibility compared to other separation reasons.

Hey @Caden Nguyen, I went through a layoff situation about 8 months ago and understand how overwhelming it can feel. One thing that really helped me was creating a simple checklist beforehand - gather your pay stubs from the last 18 months, write down your exact employment dates, and screenshot any layoff communications from your employer. The NYS Department of Labor website can be glitchy during peak times, so try filing early morning or late evening if you run into issues. Also, don't stress too much about the exact benefit amount calculation - the system will figure that out based on your wage history. Focus on getting the claim filed quickly and staying on top of your weekly certifications. You've got this!

I'm new to this community but wanted to add my perspective as someone who works in employment law. Reading through this thread, I'm really impressed by how much accurate information has been shared! Just to reinforce what others have said - car trouble causing attendance issues is typically NOT considered willful misconduct under NY unemployment law. The key legal standard is whether your actions were deliberate violations of your employer's reasonable expectations. Mechanical breakdowns are generally viewed as circumstances beyond your control. When you file your claim, focus on these key points: 1) The attendance issues were directly caused by unforeseeable car problems, 2) You weren't deliberately choosing to violate company policy, and 3) You have documentation showing the legitimate nature of the car trouble. Also, don't be intimidated if your employer contests - retail employers often do this automatically regardless of the merits of their case. The unemployment system in NY is actually designed to err on the side of helping workers who lose their jobs through no fault of their own. File your claim today and keep all that documentation handy!

I'm new to this community but wanted to share my recent experience that might help. I was fired from my warehouse job about two months ago for what they called "excessive tardiness," but like you, it was due to transportation issues - my bus route kept getting delayed because of ongoing construction. I was really nervous about filing for unemployment because I'd never done it before and thought being fired automatically meant I wouldn't qualify. But after reading similar threads and getting advice, I filed my claim within a few days of being terminated. The whole process took about 4 weeks, but I was approved! The key things that helped were: being completely honest about being fired, documenting all the bus delays and construction notices I could find, and explaining clearly that the tardiness wasn't intentional or willful. My former employer did contest the claim, but the adjudicator understood that public transportation delays due to construction were beyond my control. Your car trouble situation sounds very similar - mechanical problems are definitely not something you can predict or control. Don't let fear stop you from applying - you have every right to file and a good chance of being approved based on what you've described. File today and keep all that documentation ready!