One thing to remember is that your unemployment insurance rate will change over time based on your experience rating. If you have a lot of former employees filing claims, your rate goes up. If you have few claims, it goes down. So there's an incentive to be careful about hiring and to document any performance issues properly in case you need to contest a claim later.

As someone who just went through setting up unemployment insurance for my small business, I'd recommend calling NYS Department of Labor directly to confirm your industry classification - that affects your initial rate. Also make sure you understand the difference between independent contractors and employees because misclassifying workers can lead to big penalties. The quarterly reporting deadlines are strict so set up reminders. One more tip: even if you only have one employee now, start keeping detailed personnel files from day one including job descriptions, performance reviews, and any disciplinary actions. You'll thank yourself later if you ever need to contest a claim.

I'm dealing with this exact same issue right now! My unemployment payment was supposed to deposit Wednesday but it's now Friday evening and my account is still empty. I certified my weekly claim on Sunday like always and everything shows as "processed" on the my.ny.gov portal, but my bank says they haven't received anything. This is my first time experiencing such a long delay - usually if there's any delay it's just a day or so. It's really stressful because I have rent and utilities due early next week. From reading all these comments it seems like a lot of people are having the same problem this week. Has anyone tried contacting their bank to see if there are any pending transfers that might be held up on their end? I'm wondering if this could be a banking system issue rather than just NYS Department of Labor.

I'm experiencing the exact same delay! My payment usually deposits on Wednesday but it's now Friday night and still nothing. What's really concerning is that my payment history shows "released" on Tuesday but my bank confirms they haven't received anything. I've been on unemployment for 8 months and this is by far the longest delay I've experienced. I tried calling NYS Department of Labor multiple times today but can't get through - just busy signals and disconnected calls. Based on everyone's comments here, it definitely seems like there's a system-wide processing issue affecting a lot of us this week. I'm going to try the my.ny.gov message center approach since several people mentioned having better luck with that. This kind of uncertainty is really stressful when you're depending on these payments for basic living expenses. Hoping we all see our money early next week!

Also check if your employer has FMLA obligations - if they have 50+ employees and you've worked there a year, they might have been required to offer you unpaid leave or schedule accommodations for family caregiving. If they violated FMLA by not even considering accommodations, that strengthens your unemployment case even more. Document that they didn't offer any alternatives before you quit!

This is such a tough situation but you're not alone! I went through something similar caring for my mom. NY does recognize "compelling family circumstances" as good cause for quitting. Key things that helped my case: 1) I documented every attempt to get reasonable accommodations from my employer 2) Got a letter from my mom's doctor explaining her care needs and my role as primary caregiver 3) Showed the substantial change in my work schedule made it impossible to provide necessary care. The initial claim was denied but I appealed with all my documentation and won. Don't give up if they deny you at first - the appeals process is where having solid documentation really pays off. Wishing you the best! 💙

I'm going through the exact same thing right now - 24 weeks in and getting really anxious about what happens next. One thing I found that might help is checking if you qualify for Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) if your job loss was due to foreign trade or outsourcing. It can extend benefits and provide retraining funds. Also, some people don't know about the Work Sharing Program - if you find part-time work, you might still be able to collect partial benefits. Definitely worth looking into! Stay strong, we're all in this together 💪

I'm in a similar situation - just hit week 22 and starting to panic. One thing that's helped me is connecting with my local One-Stop Career Center. They have job search workshops and sometimes know about programs that aren't widely advertised. Also, if you're over 50, check out the SCSEP program (Senior Community Service Employment Program) - it provides training and work experience while you job hunt. Don't give up! I know it's scary but there are more resources out there than we realize. Keep documenting all your job search activities too - you never know when that info might be useful for additional programs.

Thank you everyone for all the helpful information! I've made a checklist of everything I need to do tomorrow: 1. Talk to HR about NYS Disability Benefits and get the DB-450 form 2. Make appointment with my OB to get their portion completed ASAP 3. Look up my local WIC office and application process 4. Contact DSS about any other assistance programs 5. Ask hospital about meeting with social worker during my stay I'm still shocked at how low the disability benefit is, but at least it's something. I'll update after I talk to HR tomorrow. Fingers crossed this all works out!

Also wanted to mention - don't forget to check if you qualify for HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program) and see if your county has any emergency rental assistance programs. When I was in a similar situation, these programs helped me keep the lights on and avoid eviction during those tough first few months. The income limits are usually pretty reasonable for new families. You can usually apply for HEAP through the same DSS office. Also, if you're planning to breastfeed, WIC provides extra food allowances for nursing mothers which can really help stretch your grocery budget. Wishing you the best with everything - you've got this! 💪