I'm also 17 and was wondering about this same thing! My hours got cut at my restaurant job and I wasn't sure if I could even apply. This thread is super helpful - it sounds like as long as you worked and paid taxes, age doesn't matter. Ryder, definitely file soon like others said. I'm going to look into this for my situation too. It's really cool seeing other young people taking charge of their finances and helping their families. Good luck with your claim!

I'm a caseworker with NYS Department of Labor and wanted to confirm what others have said - yes, you can absolutely file for unemployment at 17! Since you worked for 8 months with taxes deducted, you should meet the monetary eligibility requirements. When you file online at ny.gov, you'll need your Social Security number, employment dates, employer information, and reason for separation. The system treats all claimants the same regardless of age. One thing I'd emphasize is to be completely honest about your availability for work - since you mentioned you got your GED and can work more hours, that should work in your favor. Make sure to file your weekly certifications on time and keep detailed records of your job search activities. The process really is straightforward, and you've earned these benefits through your work contributions. Don't hesitate to reach out to the office if you have questions during the process!

I'm new to this community but wanted to share my perspective as someone who recently went through a similar misconduct determination. What struck me about your situation, Monique, is that you were asking questions about a policy that "didn't make sense" - this actually shows you were being a conscientious employee trying to understand your job requirements. I had a comparable experience where my supervisor labeled my questions as "argumentative" when I was genuinely confused about a new procedure. The NYS DOL investigator specifically asked me whether I was trying to understand the policy or refusing to follow it, and that distinction was crucial to my approval. The fact that you had no prior disciplinary issues and were genuinely seeking clarification rather than being defiant puts you in a strong position. When they call for your fact-finding interview, emphasize that your questions came from a place of wanting to do your job correctly, not from any desire to challenge authority. Good luck - based on everything I've read here, you should have a solid case!

I've been following this thread and wanted to add some additional context that might help. The NYS Department of Labor specifically looks at whether your actions were "contrary to the employer's best interests" - and asking clarifying questions about confusing policies actually SERVES the employer's interests by helping ensure proper compliance. I went through a misconduct determination two years ago when my boss claimed I was being "uncooperative" for questioning a new safety protocol that seemed incomplete. The DOL ruling specifically noted that employees who seek clarification on unclear policies are demonstrating due diligence, not misconduct. They also consider the "reasonable employee" standard - would a reasonable person in your position have asked similar questions? Based on your description, absolutely yes. Make sure during your fact-finding interview to emphasize that you were seeking understanding to perform your job correctly, and mention your clean disciplinary record. The investigator will likely ask about your tone and approach, so be ready to explain that you were respectful and professional. You've got a really strong case here!

Ruby, I went through something similar last year. The key thing to remember is that gross misconduct has to be willful and serious - not just a one-time lapse in judgment during a stressful situation with a difficult customer. When you file your claim, make sure to explain the full context of what happened, including how the customer was behaving aggressively toward you. The adjudicator will consider whether your response was proportional to the situation. Even if your language was inappropriate, that alone might not rise to the level of gross misconduct if it was an isolated incident and you were being provoked. Document everything you can remember about the incident and any witnesses who saw the customer's behavior. You've got a good chance of getting your benefits approved.

I work for a legal aid organization that helps people with unemployment appeals, and I want to add some important information here. In New York, gross misconduct requires three elements: (1) the act was deliberate and willful, (2) it violated a reasonable workplace rule or expectation, and (3) it substantially prejudiced the employer's interests. Using strong language during a heated customer interaction - while unprofessional - often doesn't meet this high bar, especially if you have an otherwise clean employment record. When you file your claim, emphasize that this was an isolated incident in response to customer aggression, not a pattern of behavior. Also, even if initially denied, you absolutely should appeal - I've seen many similar cases overturned at hearing when the full context is presented. Don't let fear of denial stop you from filing - you have nothing to lose by trying.

This thread has been incredibly informative! I'm new to the NY unemployment system and had no idea that monetary redeterminations could cause partial payments during transition weeks. It's really reassuring to see so many people share similar experiences with the 2-day payments followed by finding those buried redetermination notices. What strikes me most is how many people mentioned the same frustration - that NYSDOL doesn't give any warning about these partial payments during benefit recalculations. It seems like such a simple fix that would prevent so much anxiety for claimants. A simple notification like "Your payment this week may be reduced due to benefit recalculation processing" would go a long way. For newcomers like me who might face this situation, the key takeaways seem to be: 1) Check your messages section thoroughly for any notices, 2) Look for increases in your maximum benefit amount, and 3) Don't panic if it's just one week of partial payment during a redetermination. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and outcomes - this kind of community knowledge is invaluable!

This thread has been a lifesaver! I just experienced the exact same thing - got 2 days instead of my usual 4 this week and was completely panicking. After reading everyone's experiences, I checked my messages and found a monetary redetermination notice from two days ago that I had completely overlooked. My maximum benefit amount increased by $420 and my weekly benefit went up by $38. It's such a relief to understand that the partial payment is just a quirk of how the system processes these recalculations. I was literally about to take time off work tomorrow to sit on hold with NYSDOL all day! Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and confirmed that payments return to normal the following week with the higher amounts. This community knowledge is so much more helpful than trying to navigate the official channels. I'll definitely be checking my messages more regularly going forward and will update next week to confirm everything goes back to normal with the increased benefit amount.

UPDATE: I went to the career center this morning and got exactly what I needed! They printed a UI Monetary Benefit Determination letter showing my claim details including the end date of September 6th. Took about 45 minutes total with the wait. The staff was really helpful. Thanks everyone for your suggestions!

For anyone else dealing with this, I just want to add that if you're in a time crunch like I was last month, you can also try contacting your local assemblyperson's office. They often have direct lines to state agencies and can help expedite document requests. I got my unemployment end date letter within 2 business days after their office made a call on my behalf. Worth trying if the career center is too far or if you're hitting roadblocks with the other methods!