Same thing happened to my friend last year - they wanted to change her from day shift to overnight and she couldn't do it because of her kids. She documented the whole thing and when they fired her she got approved for unemployment. The key is showing you didn't just quit.

The schedule change situation you're describing sounds like constructive dismissal - when an employer makes your working conditions so unreasonable that you're essentially forced to quit. In NY, if you can show that refusing the schedule change was reasonable (like having family obligations or other legitimate hardship), and they terminate you for it, that should qualify as involuntary separation. Just make sure to get everything in writing - ask for the schedule change demand via email, document your response explaining why it's not feasible, and keep records of the termination if it happens. This paper trail will be crucial if you need to file for benefits or appeal a denial.

As someone who just went through the seasonal worker unemployment process for the first time last year, I wanted to share a few things that really helped me get through it smoothly. First, when I filed my initial claim, I made sure to be very specific in the application about my seasonal work pattern - I wrote something like "End of seasonal employment - summer resort position with established end date of October 15th" rather than just "laid off." This seemed to help avoid confusion later. Second, I discovered that keeping a simple calendar where I marked my job search activities was super helpful for the weekly certifications. I'd just jot down "Applied to X resort for next summer" or "Contacted Y company about winter temp work" with dates, and it made filling out the weekly claims much faster. The most important thing I learned is that the system really does recognize seasonal work as legitimate employment - you just need to be thorough and honest about your situation. Don't let the initial complexity scare you off from applying. Once you get into the routine of weekly certifications and job searches, it becomes much more manageable. And definitely keep copies of everything - I got asked for additional documentation about 6 weeks into my claim and was so glad I had everything organized!

This entire thread has been incredibly enlightening! I'm actually in a very similar situation to Keisha - I've been doing seasonal work (summer camp counselor and winter retail) for about two years now, and I've been putting off filing for unemployment because I was worried they'd somehow penalize me for "choosing" seasonal work. Reading everyone's experiences here has really opened my eyes to how the system actually works and given me confidence that seasonal workers do have legitimate rights to benefits. The documentation tips are especially valuable - I had no idea how important it would be to keep such detailed records of everything. I'm definitely going to start that job search spreadsheet that several people mentioned and get more organized about keeping employment paperwork. One thing I'm still a bit unclear on is the base period calculation for seasonal workers - since our income is concentrated in certain months, does anyone know if that affects the benefit amount calculation differently than for year-round workers? Also, has anyone had luck with the online chat feature for getting specific questions answered quickly? I feel much more prepared to tackle this process now thanks to everyone sharing their knowledge!

I'm dealing with the exact same issue and it's absolutely maddening! Filed my claim in early August and it's been stuck in pending status for over 2 months now. Called last month and got the identical script about the "high priority unit" and that 518 number - of course, no call ever came. What's really frustrating is how they act like this is normal processing time when clearly something is broken in their system. I've been certifying weekly religiously, keeping detailed job search records, checking messages daily - doing everything they ask - but still nothing. The financial stress is becoming unbearable and I'm tired of being told to just "keep waiting" with no real timeline. After reading through this thread, I'm definitely going to try the early morning calling strategy and maybe visit my local DOL office in person. The Claimyr service Ella mentioned sounds promising too - at this point I'm willing to try anything to actually speak with someone who can see what's specifically holding up my claim instead of just getting brushed off with generic responses. It's clear from everyone's experiences that the "high priority unit" has become where claims go to disappear. We shouldn't have to jump through all these hoops just to access benefits we've earned. Thanks for sharing your stories - it helps to know we're not alone in this broken system.

I'm in almost the exact same situation and it's incredibly frustrating! Filed my NY unemployment claim back in early August and it's been stuck in pending status for over 10 weeks now. Called DOL in late September and got the identical story about being sent to the "high priority unit" with that same 518 number - naturally, never received any call. What really gets me is how they make it sound like this is just normal processing time when clearly their system is completely broken. I've been doing everything they asked - certifying weekly, keeping detailed job search logs, checking my online account daily - but still absolutely nothing. The financial pressure is becoming overwhelming and I'm so tired of being told to "just keep waiting" with zero accountability or realistic timelines. Reading through everyone's experiences here is both validating and terrifying. The fact that so many of us are getting the exact same script about this mysterious "high priority unit" really shows this has become their standard delay tactic. It's clear our claims are just disappearing into some kind of bureaucratic black hole. I'm definitely going to try some of the strategies mentioned here - the early morning calling approach, visiting a local office in person, and maybe even that Claimyr service if I can't get through otherwise. At this point I'm willing to try anything to actually speak with someone who can tell me what's specifically wrong with my claim instead of just reading from their script. Thanks for sharing your stories everyone - it helps to know we're not alone in dealing with this completely dysfunctional system. We shouldn't have to fight this hard just to access unemployment benefits we've paid into for years.

I'm in the same boat as you - my benefits are ending in about 6 weeks and I've been dreading this moment. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful though! I had absolutely no idea about the 599 training program. I've been working in hospitality management for years but honestly the whole industry feels unstable right now. The idea of using unemployment for retraining while getting extended benefits sounds like it could be exactly what I need to make a career change I've been putting off. Going to start researching approved programs tomorrow - hoping there are some business or project management courses available. Also definitely going to start those other assistance applications this week. It's frustrating how complicated the system is but at least there are still some safety nets if you know how to find them. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - makes this whole situation feel way less scary!

I've been following this thread closely since I'm about to hit the same wall in a few weeks. Want to add a couple things that might help based on my research so far: First, for anyone looking into the 599 training program, I found that SUNY schools tend to have the most approved programs and they're usually cheaper than private institutions. The pre-approval process requires showing that your previous occupation is in decline - gather any industry reports or news articles about layoffs in your field to strengthen your case. Second, I've been working with a career counselor at my local One-Stop Career Center (they're free!) who helped me understand that the 599 program isn't just about getting extended benefits - it's actually a solid investment in your future earning potential. She showed me data on how people who retrain during unemployment often end up in better positions than before. Also, for those mentioning gig work + partial benefits - make sure you understand the reporting requirements. You have to report ALL earnings, even cash tips, and they calculate it weekly not monthly. I almost got in trouble because I didn't realize Venmo payments from driving for Uber counted as reportable income. The system definitely sucks but there are still paths forward if you stay persistent and know where to look!

I'm dealing with a similar situation - filed 5 weeks ago and my claim has been stuck in pending status with no explanation. What's really frustrating is that the NYS Department of Labor website doesn't give you any insight into what's actually causing the delay or how much longer it might take. I've tried calling dozens of times but like you said, it's nearly impossible to get through. The few times I did get connected, the agents couldn't give me any specific information about my case timeline. It's especially stressful when you're counting on these payments for basic expenses. Has anyone found any patterns in terms of what types of claims get stuck longer, or is it really just a random backlog issue? I'm trying to stay patient but it's getting harder each week that goes by without any communication from them.

I'm experiencing the exact same issue right now - filed my claim 5 weeks ago and it's been stuck in pending status ever since. Like many of you, I've tried calling NYS Department of Labor countless times but can never get through. What's really concerning me is that I haven't received any communication about what might be causing the delay or what additional information they might need from me. I've been keeping up with my weekly certifications and job search requirements, but the uncertainty is really taking a toll. Reading through these comments, it sounds like this is unfortunately pretty common right now. Has anyone had success with any specific strategies for getting updates on their claim status? I'm considering trying the legislative representative route that Savannah mentioned, but I'm wondering if there are any other options I should explore first.