I just went through this exact situation a few months ago! I was a part-time retail worker who got laid off in December 2024, and my manager told me the same thing - that part-timers don't qualify for unemployment. I waited 8 weeks before filing because I trusted her completely (she'd been with the company for like 15 years, so I figured she knew what she was talking about). When I finally discovered she was wrong, I immediately submitted a backdating request with screenshots of our text conversation where she specifically said "part-time employees aren't eligible for NY unemployment benefits." I also included my pay stubs showing I met the earnings requirements and a brief explanation of how I reasonably relied on her guidance. They approved 6 weeks of backdating! The whole process took about a month from submission to approval. The key was being super specific about who told me what and when, plus showing that I acted reasonably by trusting someone I viewed as knowledgeable about company policies. Your text evidence sounds really strong - the fact that your boss specifically mentioned part-time workers not qualifying is exactly the kind of concrete misinformation that NYSDOL recognizes as "good cause." Don't lose hope! Make sure to submit that backdating request ASAP and include every detail you can remember about the conversation with your boss.

Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful! I'm in almost the exact same situation - lost my part-time job in January and my supervisor told me I wouldn't qualify for unemployment because "part-timers don't get benefits." I finally filed last week after finding out that was completely wrong. The success stories here are giving me so much hope! It sounds like having text/email evidence of employer misinformation about part-time eligibility is actually a pretty strong case for backdating. I'm going to gather all my documentation this weekend and submit my request early next week. One question for those who got approved - did you submit any additional evidence beyond just the texts from your employer? Like pay stubs or job search records? I want to make sure I'm including everything that might strengthen my case. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - this thread has been a lifesaver for figuring out the process!

Just want to echo what everyone else has said about this being such an incredibly helpful thread! I'm on week 12 of unemployment after being laid off from my digital marketing role, and honestly, I was starting to panic about the 26-week limit until I found this discussion. The advice about starting backup plans around week 20 is so smart - I'm definitely going to start researching SNAP and other assistance programs now rather than waiting. And I love the suggestion about temp-to-perm positions with marketing agencies. I've been so focused on permanent roles that I hadn't really considered that route, but it makes total sense for building experience and potentially leading to something permanent. One thing I wanted to add that's been working for me: I've been attending virtual marketing webinars (many are free through HubSpot, Mailchimp, etc.) and not only are they great for staying current with industry trends, but I've actually made some valuable connections through the chat features and follow-up networking. A couple of people have even offered to review my portfolio or make introductions to their networks. Also, for anyone struggling with the phone system at DOL - that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier is legit. I used it last week to get clarification on reporting freelance work and it saved me hours of frustration. Thanks to everyone who's shared their experiences and advice here. It's making this whole process feel much more manageable knowing there's a community of people who understand exactly what we're going through!

I'm also navigating unemployment right now (week 9) and this thread has been absolutely invaluable! As someone who was completely in the dark about NY's system, reading everyone's real experiences has been both educational and reassuring. One thing I wanted to share that might help others - I discovered that the NY State Library system offers free access to professional databases and industry reports through their online portal. I've been using it to research companies in my field and understand market trends, which has really helped me tailor my applications and sound more informed in interviews. Also, I started using a simple Google Sheet to track not just my job applications, but also my weekly certifications, benefit amounts, and remaining weeks. Having everything in one place has really helped reduce my anxiety about the process and keeps me organized for the work search requirements. The community support here is incredible - it's so much better than trying to figure this out alone! For anyone just starting their unemployment journey, definitely read through this entire thread. The collective wisdom here is better than anything I found on the official websites.

I just went through this exact situation about two months ago! Got fired for what my employer called "misconduct" but it was really just a misunderstanding about a procedure I wasn't properly trained on. I was terrified to file because I thought the misconduct label would automatically disqualify me, but reading online forums like this one convinced me to apply anyway. Best decision I made! The NYS DOL adjudicator was really fair and asked me detailed questions about my training, the specific incident, and my overall work performance. I was able to explain that I was never given clear guidance on the procedure and was doing my best with limited information. Got approved after about 4 weeks. The key is being honest and providing your perspective - don't let your employer's version be the only story they hear. File immediately if you haven't already, and remember that "misconduct" in unemployment law has a very specific definition that's much higher than just making a mistake or having a disagreement at work. You've got this!

I went through something very similar about a year ago and want to add my experience to all these encouraging stories! I was terminated for what my employer called "misconduct" related to a customer service issue, but it was really just a judgment call I made that they disagreed with in hindsight. I was absolutely panicked thinking I'd never get benefits, but filed anyway after reading advice similar to what everyone's sharing here. The NYS DOL investigation was really thorough - they asked me about the specific incident, my customer service training, any previous issues, and really gave me a chance to explain the context and reasoning behind my actions. What helped my case was being able to show that I was trying to help the customer and made what I thought was the right decision based on the training I had received. The whole process took about 5 weeks from filing to approval. The adjudicator told me that my actions didn't rise to the level of willful misconduct since I was acting in good faith. Don't let your employer's characterization discourage you - file immediately and make sure your voice gets heard in the process. The system is more fair than you might think!

Just make sure you keep up with your job search log and weekly certifications. That's what actually matters for staying eligible. NYS Department of Labor is more concerned about whether you're actively looking for work than anything else.

This is really helpful information everyone! I was also wondering about this when I first applied. One thing I'd add is that if you're concerned about your specific situation, you can always call the NYS Department of Labor directly or check their FAQ section on unemployment eligibility. The main things they care about are that you're able to work, available for work, and actively searching for employment. The drug testing worry is totally understandable but as others have confirmed, it's not part of their standard process.

I'm going through the exact same thing right now - my 26 weeks just ended last month and it's been really stressful trying to figure out what comes next. The NYS Department of Labor website could definitely be clearer about this stuff upfront. I had no idea it was just 26 weeks until I got that notification. What's been helping me is reaching out to multiple resources at once rather than waiting for one thing to work out. I applied for SNAP benefits immediately, contacted my local 211 for emergency assistance programs, and signed up with the American Job Center like others mentioned. The job search requirements during those 26 weeks actually helped me build a routine, so I'm trying to keep that same energy even without the weekly payments. It's tough out there but we've got to keep pushing. Have you looked into any temporary or gig work to help bridge the gap while you're searching for something permanent?

This is exactly what happened to me too Connor. The 26-week limit caught me completely off guard - I kept thinking there would be some kind of extension or that I was missing something. NYS Department of Labor really should make this clearer when you first file your claim. What helped me was immediately getting on mybenefits.ny.gov to apply for SNAP and other assistance the day my UI ended. Also check with your local social services office about emergency programs - some counties have short-term cash assistance or utility help that can bridge the gap. The American Job Centers that others mentioned are legit too - mine had workshops on interviewing and even some temp-to-hire opportunities I wouldn't have found elsewhere. It sucks that we have to piece together all these different programs, but don't feel bad about using every resource available. You paid into these systems and they're there for exactly this situation. Keep your head up and keep applying - something will come through!