one thing i learned is make sure you file your weekly claim every week even if your claim is pending or in adjudication. if you miss weeks you cant go back and get those payments later. learned that the hard way and lost out on like $1200

Just went through this process myself a few months ago. One thing nobody mentioned is that you need to have worked at least 2 quarters in your base period to qualify, and your base period is usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you file. So if you've only been at your warehouse job for 8 months, make sure those months fall within the right time frame. Also, if your hours got cut but you're still employed, you might qualify for partial unemployment benefits which could help bridge the gap while you look for something better.

This is SO frustrating and you're definitely not alone! I just went through this exact same thing about 3 weeks ago. My card showed up completely empty even though my online account said $1,400 in payments had been "released." I was freaking out because I needed that money for groceries and utilities. After reading experiences like yours, I tried calling the unemployment office but couldn't get through for days. The hold times were insane and I kept getting disconnected. Finally I broke down and tried that claimyr service that people keep mentioning - I was super skeptical at first but honestly it saved my sanity. Got connected to a real person in about an hour and turns out they had flagged my account for some random "identity verification" that nobody ever told me about. The agent cleared it right away and my money showed up on the card within 48 hours. My advice: don't wait around hoping it fixes itself (it won't), and definitely check your online portal for any buried notifications or action items. Sometimes there are document requests or verification steps hidden in there that you might have missed. But most importantly, you NEED to talk to a live person to find out exactly where your payments went. Try calling at 8am sharp when they open, but if you can't get through after a few days, that claimyr thing might be worth the cost just for your peace of mind. Hang in there - you WILL get your money, it's just unfortunately way more complicated than it should be!

Ugh, this exact same thing happened to me back in October! Card arrived with $0 balance even though my online portal showed $1,680 in "released" payments. I was literally crying because my rent was already 10 days late and my landlord was threatening eviction. After reading through posts like this one, I realized it's unfortunately super common with NY unemployment. I tried the regular phone number for almost two weeks - either constant busy signals or I'd wait 3+ hours on hold just to get disconnected right when I thought I was about to talk to someone. Finally got desperate enough to try that claimyr service everyone mentions (was really skeptical at first). Got connected to an actual agent in about 75 minutes and found out they had put some random "fraud protection hold" on my account that nobody bothered to tell me about. The agent removed it immediately and said my payments would hit the card within 24-48 hours. Sure enough, all my back payments showed up exactly when she promised. I know it's terrifying when you desperately need that money, but don't give up! There ARE real people who can fix this issue, you just have to find a way to actually reach them. Try calling right at 8am when they open, but if you can't get through after a few days, that callback service might be worth considering. You will get your money - it's just way more complicated than it should be!

Just went through this exact scenario two months ago when my construction job went from 5 days to just Tuesday/Wednesday for three weeks due to weather delays. Filed for partial unemployment and it was totally worth it - got around $200/week in benefits which really helped cover my bills during that slow period. The certification process was pretty straightforward once I got the hang of it. Key things: report the exact days you worked (not total hours), enter your gross pay before taxes, and keep copies of everything. My foreman actually told me I should file since that's what the system is there for. Don't let anyone make you feel bad about claiming benefits you're entitled to - you pay into this system through your work, so use it when you need it!

Had this exact situation happen to me last year when my retail job cut everyone's hours for inventory week. Only worked Monday and Tuesday (14 hours total) instead of my usual 35-hour week. Filed for partial unemployment and got approved for about $165 that week. The process was actually easier than I expected - just make sure when you certify that you mark exactly which days you worked and enter your gross earnings accurately. One tip that saved me time: have your pay stub or employer portal info ready when you certify so you can enter the exact dollar amount. Don't worry about your employer - they deal with this stuff all the time and it's built into their unemployment insurance costs. You're not doing anything wrong by claiming benefits you've earned!

Your former employer is probably getting nervous about their experience rating, but that's not your problem to worry about! The system is designed so that employers who lay off workers contribute more to the fund - it's basically an incentive for them to maintain stable employment. You earned those benefits through your work history and you have every right to collect them as long as you're eligible. Don't let them make you feel guilty about using a safety net you paid into. Just keep doing your weekly certifications and job search requirements, and you'll be fine.

Just want to add that in New York, your maximum benefit duration is typically 26 weeks, but this can be extended during high unemployment periods. Your employer's quarterly UI tax contributions are based on their "reserve ratio" - basically how much they've paid in versus how much has been paid out for their former employees' claims. So yes, your claim affects their future rates, but that's exactly how the system is designed to work. The whole point is that employers who frequently lay off workers should contribute more to support the safety net. Don't let them guilt you into thinking you're doing something wrong by collecting benefits you legitimately earned!

Just make sure you file your weekly claims even while your initial claim is being processed! I made that mistake when I first filed and it delayed everything. Also start looking for work right away because you'll need to show job search activities on your weekly claims.

I went through this exact same situation last year when I got laid off from my warehouse job. Since you were terminated due to company restructuring (not for cause), you should definitely qualify for benefits. When you file online at my.ny.gov, you'll need your Social Security number, driver's license, and employment history for the last 18 months including employer names, addresses, and dates worked. The process is pretty straightforward - just be honest about why you left and let them know it was a layoff due to restructuring. Good luck!