Just want to add that you should apply for benefits as soon as possible after being laid off - there's a one week waiting period before you can start collecting, and benefits are calculated from when you first file, not when you lost your job. Also, make sure you have all your employment info ready (dates, employer details, reason for separation) because the NYS Department of Labor will need to verify everything with your former employer before approving your claim.

One thing to keep in mind is that the $504 maximum weekly benefit amount gets adjusted annually, so make sure you're looking at the current year's rates. Also, if you worked part-time or had variable hours during your base period, your benefit calculation might be lower than expected. The NYS Department of Labor uses your earnings from the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you filed your claim, so recent pay changes might not be reflected in your benefit amount. It's worth checking your benefit estimate on the ny.gov website once you file - they'll give you a pretty accurate breakdown of what to expect.

Wait, I'm confused about something. If they say you committed gross misconduct, does that mean you can never get unemployment benefits again? Or just for this claim? I'm worried because I might be facing something similar at my job.

I work as a paralegal and see unemployment appeals regularly. Your situation sounds like it has a good chance on appeal - attendance issues due to legitimate car trouble and caring for a sick child typically don't rise to the level of gross misconduct under New York law. The Department of Labor has to prove you acted with deliberate intent to harm your employer or willfully violated known policies. Make sure to gather all your documentation (mechanic bills, any communications with your supervisor about the car issues, medical documentation if available for your child) and file that appeal within 30 days. The hearing will give you a chance to explain the circumstances that led to your absences.

I'm in the exact same boat! Part time making about $420 a week. Been on partial unemployment since November. The key is the days - if you work 4 days or more, you get nothing that week even if you make $1.

Just wanted to add - if you're working 25 hours across 5 days, that's going to be a problem with NY's system. Like others mentioned, it's about DAYS worked, not hours. Even if you only work 2 hours on a day, that still counts as a full day worked. At 5 days, you won't qualify for any benefits even if you're only making $300/week total. Try talking to your employer about consolidating those 25 hours into 3 days if possible - that would make you eligible for partial benefits. I know it's not always feasible but worth asking. The NY system is incredibly frustrating but you definitely have options if you can work the days requirement to your advantage. Also, definitely file online first but have a backup plan for when (not if) you need to talk to someone. The wait times are brutal but there are services that can help you get through faster.

I work with formerly incarcerated individuals transitioning back into the workforce, and I want to emphasize that you absolutely have the right to apply for unemployment benefits if you meet the work requirements. Since you worked for 2 years before incarceration, you likely qualify. A few practical tips: 1) File your claim as soon as possible - there's no waiting period requirement after release, 2) Be prepared to explain any gaps in employment honestly if asked, 3) Make sure you have a reliable way to receive mail and access the internet for weekly certifications, and 4) Consider reaching out to your local One-Stop Career Center - they provide free job search assistance and those visits count toward your work search requirements. The staff there are trained to help people with barriers to employment. Don't let anyone discourage you from applying for benefits you earned through your previous work!

I went through this exact process about 3 years ago after my release. You absolutely can collect unemployment - your incarceration doesn't disqualify you as long as you have the work history, which it sounds like you do with 2 years at the warehouse. When I filed, they didn't specifically ask about incarceration on the application, but they do verify your employment history and ask about periods when you weren't working. I was honest about the gap when they called for clarification. The whole process took about 4 weeks for me, and I had to provide W-2s and employment verification from my previous job. One thing that really helped was getting connected with a reentry program - they not only provided job search support but also helped me understand my rights regarding unemployment benefits. Don't let anyone tell you that you don't deserve these benefits - you paid into the system and you earned them. Start gathering your employment documents now and file as soon as possible. You've got this!

I've been dealing with NY unemployment for about 8 months now and can confirm that these delays happen way more often than they should! Usually mine comes through on Tuesday morning like clockwork, but I've had probably 3-4 random delays during that time. The longest was about a week, which was absolutely terrifying when I had bills due, but it always eventually processes. One thing I learned is to screenshot your certification confirmation page - it helps give you peace of mind that you did everything correctly on your end. The system glitches are real and unfortunately pretty common. Based on what @Dylan Fisher shared about the Twitter update, sounds like this should resolve soon for everyone. The waiting is definitely the worst part though!

I'm new to this community but going through the exact same thing right now! Certified on Sunday and still waiting for my payment. This is actually my first time experiencing a delay since I started claiming benefits a few months ago, so I was getting pretty worried that I'd somehow messed something up during certification. Reading through all these comments has been incredibly helpful and reassuring - it's such a relief to know this is a known system-wide issue and not something wrong with my specific claim. Special thanks to @Dylan Fisher for sharing the Twitter updates about the processing delays being resolved. I'll definitely be checking my account first thing tomorrow morning! It's amazing how much stress these delays cause when you're depending on the payments, but this community is awesome for providing real experiences and support.