Just to be clear - if you need to file weekly claims, check your payment history, or get information about job search requirements, that's all NYS Department of Labor through their online portal at my.ny.gov. Don't waste time calling other agencies.

@Aisha Khan - I went through a similar situation last year with a denial and the appeals process. Just wanted to add that when you file your appeal with NYS Department of Labor, make sure to include any additional documentation that supports your case - pay stubs, termination letter, etc. The Administrative Law Judge will review everything fresh, not just what was in your original claim. Also, you can represent yourself or bring someone to help advocate for you during the hearing. Don't give up - many denials get overturned on appeal when people can actually explain their situation properly. The initial determination process is pretty automated, but the appeals hearing gives you a real chance to present your case to a human being.

Quick tip: take screenshots of everything you submit to NYS Department of Labor and keep copies of all documents. Their system sometimes 'loses' uploads and you'll want proof you submitted everything correctly the first time.

Just went through this process myself a few months ago. In addition to what others mentioned, make sure you have your Social Security card handy and any military discharge papers if you're a veteran (they sometimes ask for DD-214). Also, if you worked multiple jobs in the past year, gather contact info for ALL employers - NYS Department of Labor may need to verify wages from each one. The online application will walk you through exactly what documents to upload, but having everything ready beforehand makes the process much smoother. Good luck!

I've been dealing with NY unemployment for about 8 months now and this "break in employment" glitch is SO common with part-time work. The system basically can't handle any variation in hours - even if you work 15 hours one week and 17 the next, it thinks you quit and got rehired 🙄 Here's what I do every time it happens (and yes, it will probably happen again): - Select "Still employed with reduced hours" - Re-enter your employer info exactly the same as before - Answer "NO" to any questions about employment ending - Take screenshots of every page The key is being consistent with how you enter your employer information. If you put "ABC Company" one week and "ABC Co." the next, the system thinks they're different employers. Also heads up - your payment might be delayed 2-3 days when this happens while they "review" it, but it should process. If it gets stuck in pending for more than a week, that's when you need to call (good luck with that nightmare). The whole system is held together with digital duct tape at this point. Just stay patient and consistent with your answers!

I just went through this exact same issue last week! The NY unemployment system definitely has a bug with part-time work hours. When your weekly hours vary even slightly, it triggers this "break in employment" question which is super confusing. Here's what worked for me: I selected "Still employed with reduced hours" when it asked why I'm no longer working, and re-entered all my employer information exactly as I had before. The system processed it normally after that, though my payment was delayed by about 2 days. The most important thing is DON'T say you stopped working or quit - that will freeze your benefits immediately. Just treat it like the system forgot you're still employed and remind it by re-entering your info. It's frustrating but this seems to be a common glitch that many of us part-time workers deal with regularly. Your claim should be fine once you answer the questions correctly!

marketing is tough right now for sure. have you looked at the one-stop career centers? they sometimes have free training programs that dont interfere with unemployment

I went through this exact situation last year! The key is getting pre-approval from NYS DOL for what they call "approved training." You need to contact them BEFORE enrolling in anything - I can't stress this enough. There's a specific form (I think it's UI-427A) that you need to submit. The program has to be related to your field or lead to employment in a high-demand occupation. Digital marketing should qualify since it's in demand. Once approved, you can attend training and still collect benefits, though you'll still need to file weekly claims. The approval process took about 3-4 weeks for me, so definitely start early if your program begins next month. Also check if your local American Job Center has similar programs - sometimes they're faster to get approved.

I'm actually going through something very similar right now - my manager has been documenting every minor mistake and I can tell they're building a paper trail. This whole thread has been such a relief to read because I was convinced that getting fired would automatically disqualify me from unemployment benefits. It's really encouraging to see that NYS Department of Labor actually looks at the circumstances rather than just rubber-stamping whatever the employer claims. The documentation advice everyone's giving is spot on - I've started keeping copies of all my emails, especially ones where I'm asking for clarification or showing that I'm trying to address any concerns they raise. It sounds like the key distinction is between genuine misconduct (like theft or deliberate rule violations) versus performance issues or personality conflicts with management. For anyone else dealing with this stress, it seems like the takeaway is to file for benefits even if you're not 100% sure you'll qualify - worst case they deny it and you can appeal, but you might be surprised and get approved on the initial determination.

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm actually in a very similar situation where my new supervisor seems to be looking for any excuse to write me up. It's such a relief to learn that being fired doesn't automatically disqualify you from unemployment benefits in New York. The distinction between misconduct and performance issues really makes sense - it sounds like NYS Department of Labor understands that sometimes terminations happen due to personality conflicts or management style differences rather than genuine wrongdoing. I'm definitely taking everyone's advice about documentation seriously. I've already started saving emails where I ask for clarification on tasks and keeping copies of any feedback I receive. Reading about people's successful claims even after being fired for "performance issues" gives me hope that I'd have options if the worst happens. Thanks for asking this question - it's helping so many of us who are dealing with similar workplace stress!