Same boat here! Filed last week and still waiting to hear back from them. The uncertainty is killing me because I need to know if I should look for summer work or wait for unemployment to kick in.

I went through this exact situation last year as a paraprofessional! I was able to get unemployment benefits for the summer because my district couldn't guarantee me hours for the following school year at the time I filed. The key thing NYS Department of Labor looks at is whether you have "reasonable assurance" of employment for the next academic year. Since paraprofessionals often don't get their contracts renewed until late in the summer (or sometimes not at all), many of us do qualify. I'd recommend filing as soon as your last day of work ends - don't wait too long because there can be delays in processing. Make sure you have all your employment documentation ready and be completely honest about your school employment status when filling out the application.

I just went through this exact same nightmare last week! The "session expired" error is super misleading - it's actually a backend sync issue between NY.gov ID and their unemployment system. Here's what finally worked for me after trying everything else: 1. Log out of EVERYTHING NY.gov related (not just unemployment) 2. Clear your browser cache AND cookies specifically for ny.gov domains 3. Wait at least 20 minutes (this is crucial - don't rush it!) 4. Try logging in directly through unemployment.labor.ny.gov instead of going through the main NY.gov portal 5. If you're still stuck, try using your phone's browser in private/incognito mode The mobile workaround that @Maya mentioned actually saved me too! Sometimes their mobile interface bypasses whatever server issues are happening on desktop. Don't stress about the certification deadline - I called when this happened to me and they said as long as you can show you attempted to certify (screenshots help!), they'll backdate it once the system is fixed. The rep told me this is a recurring issue they're aware of but haven't been able to permanently resolve yet. Keep trying different combinations and you'll eventually get through! 🤞

I've been dealing with this same issue since Wednesday! So frustrating when you're trying to certify and the system just keeps kicking you out. I tried most of the suggestions here - clearing cache, different browsers, waiting periods - but what finally worked for me was using my tablet instead of my laptop. For some reason the mobile/tablet interface seems to handle whatever backend issue they're having better than desktop browsers. Also, I found that going directly to unemployment.labor.ny.gov worked better than trying to navigate through the main NY.gov portal. One tip I haven't seen mentioned yet - if you have the NY.gov ID mobile app, try logging in through that first, then switching to the browser. Sometimes that seems to "refresh" your session in a way that helps with the sync issues. Really glad to see the official acknowledgment from NYSDOL that they're working on it and will allow backdated certifications. Takes some of the panic out of the situation! Keep trying different devices and times - you'll get through eventually.

The system is so confusing! I reported my part-time earnings last week and now my claim status changed to 'under review.' Should I be worried? I made sure to report everything honestly.

Just wanted to add that when you do sign up for Uber, make sure to keep detailed records of all your earnings - not just what Uber reports to you, but also track your mileage, gas, car maintenance costs, etc. NYS Department of Labor wants to know your gross earnings from ride sharing, but you'll also need those expense records for tax purposes since you'll be considered an independent contractor. Also, don't forget that Uber earnings can be unpredictable - some weeks you might make $50, others $300 - so always report the actual amount you earned that specific week on your certification.

This whole system is so frustrating! Companies think they can just eliminate positions when people are on maternity leave and get away with it. At least unemployment is available but the process is still a nightmare to navigate.

I went through something very similar when my employer "restructured" while I was on maternity leave. The NYS Department of Labor approved my claim without any issues once I provided the FMLA documentation and termination letter. One thing that really helped was being very clear on my application that I was on approved leave with a guaranteed job to return to, and that the employer eliminated the position during my protected leave period. Make sure you emphasize that you were ready and able to return to work when your leave ended. The whole process took about 2-3 weeks for me to get my first payment. Don't let them intimidate you - you absolutely deserve these benefits!

I'm dealing with a similar discharge situation right now and this thread is super helpful! Just wanted to add that when you file online, the NYS Department of Labor system will walk you through different scenarios and ask specific questions about why your employment ended. They don't just give you a simple "fired" vs "discharged" dropdown - they'll ask things like "Were you told your performance was unsatisfactory?" or "Did you violate company policy?" So even though the terminology might seem confusing, the actual filing process is designed to capture the real circumstances. I'd recommend having your termination paperwork handy when you start the application so you can reference the exact reasons they gave you.

Just went through this exact same thing a few months ago! "Discharge" definitely threw me off at first too - it sounds so formal and scary. But yeah, it's literally just the official term NYS Department of Labor uses for "fired" or "terminated." The important thing isn't the word they use, but the reason behind it. Since your paperwork says "attendance issues," that could go either way depending on the specifics. Were these unexcused absences or did you have legitimate reasons like medical appointments, family emergencies, etc.? If you had valid reasons and documentation, that works in your favor. The DOL will do their own investigation and contact both you and your employer to get the full story. Don't stress too much about the terminology - focus on gathering your evidence and being completely honest when you file. Even if there's an initial denial, you can always appeal with additional documentation.