I'm going through the same thing right now - about 3 weeks left on my benefits and getting really anxious about what comes next. From what I've been able to piece together from the NYS DOL website, you should get a notice in the mail explaining your options, but honestly their communication isn't always clear or timely. I've been keeping detailed records of all my job search activities just in case I need to prove I've been actively looking. One thing that's helped me is setting up an appointment at my local American Job Center (you can find locations on careeronestop.org) - they have counselors who can walk you through the different programs and extensions you might qualify for. They also help with resume review and job search strategies which has been useful since I've been out of work for so long. It's free and way less stressful than trying to navigate the system on your own.

I'm in almost the exact same situation and this thread has been so helpful! I'm at week 24 of my benefits and starting to panic about what happens next. Based on what everyone is sharing here, it sounds like the key things are: 1) Keep filing weekly claims no matter what, 2) Watch for that notice in the mail about 3-4 weeks before benefits end, 3) Don't wait until the last minute to take action. I'm definitely going to look into the American Job Center that Tasia mentioned - having someone explain all the options in person sounds way better than trying to decode the NYS DOL website on my own. Has anyone here actually gone through the process of getting extended benefits approved? I'm curious how long that takes and if there's typically a gap in payments while they process everything.

I went through a similar appeal process last year and can share what I learned. The NY Department of Labor publishes annual statistics, and employers typically win appeals in about 20-30% of cases, but it varies significantly based on the reason for termination. Performance-related firings usually favor the employee unless there's clear documentation of willful misconduct or policy violations. The fact that you have documentation of safety complaints is huge - New York has strong whistleblower protections, and retaliation for reporting safety issues is a serious violation. I'd recommend organizing your evidence into a clear timeline: when you made the complaints, how your employer responded, and when the termination occurred. If there's a short timeframe between your safety complaints and termination, that pattern often speaks for itself at hearings. Stay calm, stick to facts, and let your documentation do the talking. You're in a stronger position than you might think!

I'm new to this whole unemployment appeals process and reading through everyone's experiences here is really eye-opening. I had no idea that employers only win appeals around 25-35% of the time - that's actually much better odds than I expected! I'm not dealing with an appeal myself right now, but I've been worried about the possibility since my own unemployment claim is still being processed. It's really encouraging to see how people like Grant have organized their documentation and built strong cases, especially with the safety complaint angle. The advice about keeping everything chronological and letting the timeline speak for itself seems like solid strategy. Thanks to everyone sharing their experiences and knowledge here - this community is incredibly helpful for those of us navigating these complex systems for the first time.

anyone get their missing money yet? its been 3 days for me and still nothing

This is such a relief to see it resolved! I was about to panic when I saw my payment was cut in half this week too. I'm glad I found this thread before spending all day trying to call. I'll keep an eye on my account over the next few days for the adjustment payment. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - it's so helpful to know we're not alone in dealing with these system glitches!

same here just applying to anything to check the boxes

I've been dealing with NYS unemployment for about 6 months now and learned the hard way about documentation. Here's what I found works: Online applications absolutely count - just save screenshots or confirmation emails. For job sites like Indeed, make sure you note the specific employer name, not just "applied through Indeed." Also, informational interviews count as networking activities, and so does attending career workshops or webinars. I use a simple spreadsheet with columns for date, employer/contact, position, method of contact, and any follow-up. The key is being able to show genuine effort - they care more about quality searches in your field than just hitting random apply buttons.

Just wait it out, the system will update eventually. I wouldn't stress too much about the exact amount until your claim is approved anyway.

Hey Marilyn! I went through this same confusion when I filed my claim a few months ago. The calculation Louisa mentioned is correct, but just to add some context - if you were making $18/hour and worked full-time for those 8 months, your benefit amount will likely be somewhere between $200-300 per week depending on your exact earnings pattern. The "pending" status is normal and should update within 1-2 weeks once they verify your employment history with your restaurant. In the meantime, you can try logging into your NY.gov account periodically to check for updates. The waiting is definitely stressful when you're trying to budget, but hang in there!