same boat here, been on UI for 6 weeks and house hunting is on hold indefinitely. so frustrating when you know it's just temporary but lenders treat you like you're unemployable

I work as a loan officer in NY and can shed some light on this. While unemployment does make approval more challenging, it's not automatically disqualifying. Many lenders will consider your wife's income as the primary qualifying income and may accept unemployment benefits as supplemental income with proper documentation from NYS Department of Labor. The key factors are: 1) Your wife's debt-to-income ratio on her salary alone, 2) Your credit scores and assets, 3) Documentation showing the layoff was company-related not performance-related, and 4) A reasonable timeline for returning to work. I'd recommend getting pre-qualified with 2-3 different lenders since policies vary significantly. Some are much more flexible with temporary unemployment situations, especially in construction where seasonal/cyclical layoffs are common.

My cousin quit her job last month because her employer kept changing her shift times with no notice and she couldn't arrange childcare. She's going through the adjudication process now but her case worker told her that sudden schedule changes without reasonable notice can sometimes qualify as good cause, especially if you have dependent care responsibilities. Every situation is different though so definitely don't quit without talking to someone first.

I went through something similar with a retail job where management was making my work environment unbearable. One thing that really helped my case was keeping a detailed log of every incident - dates, times, witnesses present, and exactly what was said or done. I also saved all communications (texts, emails, schedule changes) and took photos of any written notices or schedules they posted. When I finally quit and applied for UI, having that documentation made all the difference. The adjudicator could see a clear pattern of problematic behavior from my employer. Also, make sure you exhaust all internal options first - file complaints with HR in writing (not just verbal), follow your company's grievance procedure if they have one, and keep copies of everything. NYS Department of Labor really wants to see that you tried to resolve things before quitting. It's frustrating but worth doing if you want the best shot at getting benefits approved.

Just to add some helpful information: You can check what you've already had withheld by logging into your NY.gov account, going to Unemployment Services, and selecting 'Payment History.' This will show each payment with tax withholding amounts. If you're concerned about whether you've withheld enough, speaking with a tax professional now rather than waiting until tax season might be worthwhile.

Just wanted to chime in as someone who went through this exact confusion last year! I also got mixed up thinking unemployment wasn't taxable anymore. What really helped me was setting up automatic transfers - every time I get my unemployment payment, I immediately move 15% to a separate "tax savings" account (10% for federal, 5% for state). That way I don't even see that money and won't be tempted to spend it. When tax time comes around, I'll have more than enough set aside and might even get a small refund. It's been a lifesaver for budgeting!

Based on what everyone's shared, it sounds like you should be in good shape since you worked full-time in early 2024. Just to add some clarity - the key thing to remember is that NYS Department of Labor needs to see wages in at least 2 different quarters within your base period, and those wages need to total at least $2,600. Since you mentioned working part-time through 2023 and then full-time starting early 2024, you likely have wages spread across multiple quarters which should help you meet both requirements. The system will automatically check both base periods for you, so you don't need to request the alternate base period - it happens behind the scenes if needed.

Just wanted to chime in as someone who went through this process recently. One thing that helped me was calling the automated system at 1-888-209-8124 during off-peak hours (like early morning or late evening) to check my benefit year and base period dates. It's way faster than trying to get through to a live agent, and it gives you the exact quarters they're using for your claim. You can also press different options to hear your total wages for each quarter, which helps you verify if you meet the requirements without having to log into the website.

Same boat here - had to close my photography business last year and couldn't get any unemployment. Ended up having to take a retail job just to qualify for benefits if I ever get laid off again. It's backwards but that's how the system works.

Have you considered looking into New York State's other assistance programs while you're figuring out the unemployment situation? The Department of Social Services has programs like SNAP (food assistance) and emergency cash assistance that might help bridge the gap. Also, if you're planning to shut down the LLC, you might want to consult with an accountant about any tax implications - sometimes there are deductions or loss carryforwards that can help reduce your tax burden. It's not unemployment benefits, but every bit helps when cash flow is tight.