Thanks everyone! I'm definitely going to set up the federal withholding through my weekly claims and probably save an extra 5-10% on top of that just to be safe. Better to get a refund than owe money I don't have.

Just wanted to add that you should also check if your state taxes unemployment benefits. New York does tax unemployment at the state level too, so you might want to consider having state taxes withheld as well if you're concerned about owing money. I learned this the hard way when I got hit with both federal and state taxes on my unemployment from last year. The NYS Department of Labor website should have options for both federal and state withholding when you're doing your weekly certification.

If you're having trouble getting through to NYS Department of Labor for claim status updates, I used a service called Claimyr that helped me reach an actual agent when I couldn't get through on my own. They have a website at claimyr.com and there's a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Really saved me hours of trying to call and getting busy signals.

The "processed" status is actually a really positive sign! It means NYS DOL has completed their review of your weekly certification and approved your benefits for that week. You should see the status change to "released" soon, which means the payment has been sent to your bank or debit card. The timing can vary - direct deposit is usually faster (1-2 business days after "released") while the debit card can take a bit longer. Since this is your third week and the process seems to be moving faster than your first two weeks, that's actually a good indicator that your claim is running smoothly now.

I went through something similar about 8 months ago. Here's what I learned: even if you're past the 30-day appeal deadline, you can still request what's called a "reopening" of your case if you have new evidence or can show good cause for the delay. Since you mentioned being forced out due to impossible working conditions, that could potentially qualify as constructive discharge. Try calling the Telephone Claims Center early in the morning (like 8 AM sharp) - that's when I had the best luck getting through. Also, gather any evidence you can find now - emails, text messages, witness statements, anything that shows the hostile work environment. Don't give up - the system is frustrating but there are still options available to you.

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now and wanted to share what I've learned from talking to a legal aid attorney. First, "good cause" for missing the appeal deadline can include being overwhelmed or not understanding the process - it doesn't have to be just medical issues. Stress and confusion about the system actually do count. Second, text messages from coworkers absolutely can help your case, especially if they witnessed the hostile work environment or can confirm you were pushed out. Even informal documentation is better than nothing. The key is showing a pattern of behavior that made your working conditions intolerable. I'd also suggest looking into whether your area has a legal aid office that helps with unemployment appeals - many offer free consultations and can walk you through the process. Don't lose hope - I've seen people successfully overturn denials even months later when they had good evidence of constructive dismissal.

The system is so confusing about who can and can't get benefits. I've heard different things from different people but sounds like as long as you're legal to work you should be fine. Good luck with your claim!

I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago - also a permanent resident who got laid off from a manufacturing job. Yes, you are definitely eligible! The key thing is that you've been paying into the unemployment insurance system through your payroll taxes, which gives you the right to collect benefits regardless of citizenship status. When you file your claim online, they'll ask about your work authorization but having a green card fully satisfies that requirement. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise - permanent residents have the same UI rights as citizens as long as you meet the work and wage requirements. File your claim as soon as possible since there can be waiting periods.

Just make sure you keep detailed records of your restaurant job hours and pay. NYS Department of Labor will want to see everything when you file your weekly claims. Also be prepared for the job search requirements - you'll still need to look for additional work even though you have the one job.

I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago when I lost my morning shift job but kept my evening restaurant work. The process was actually pretty straightforward once I understood it. You'll file your initial claim reporting both jobs (the one you lost and the one you're keeping), and NYS Department of Labor will calculate your weekly benefit amount based on your total earnings history. Then each week when you certify, you report whatever you earned from the restaurant job and they'll pay you the difference if you qualify. Just be honest about everything and keep good records - they may ask for pay stubs from both jobs during the application process.