Quick update on this issue - I've been handling NY unemployment claims for years, and there's actually been a rise in these "phantom forfeit days" since the system upgrade in February 2025. If you're experiencing this, specifically request that the agent check the "Penalty Enforcement and Resolution System" (PERS) database, not just the regular claims system. They need to do a cross-reference to identify duplicate penalty applications. The backpay is automatically processed once the duplicate is confirmed and removed.

Just wanted to follow up - were you able to get through to them? If you're still having trouble reaching someone, that Claimyr service I mentioned really did save me days of frustration. The agent I spoke with said they're seeing this forfeit day issue a lot lately and have a specific protocol for fixing it now.

Good luck with everything! I hope it works out for you. Being terminated is stressful enough without worrying about benefits too.

I went through something similar when I got terminated from my retail job for what they called "performance issues" but was really just me having a hard time during a family emergency. I was so worried I wouldn't qualify for benefits, but I applied anyway and got approved after about 3 weeks. The NYS Department of Labor really does look at the whole picture - they're not just trying to deny everyone. Since you have doctor's notes for most of your sick days, that's going to help your case a lot. Don't let the stress keep you from applying right away. The worst they can say is no, but you might be surprised. Also keep all your documentation organized in case they need it during the review process.

I went through something really similar about 6 months ago. My hours got cut from 35 to about 12 per week and I ended up quitting. I did get approved for unemployment but it wasn't easy - I had to provide my old schedules, pay stubs showing the income drop, and write a detailed statement explaining why the hour reduction made it impossible to continue working there. The whole process took about 5 weeks from filing to getting my first payment. One thing that helped was that I applied for other jobs before quitting to show I was trying to find alternative employment. The unemployment office seemed to like that I made an effort to stay employed. Also, definitely look into local food banks and emergency rent assistance programs while you're waiting - many places have programs specifically for people between jobs.

Just wanted to add that if you do decide to quit and file for unemployment, make sure you keep working until you actually submit your resignation. Don't just stop showing up - that could hurt your case. Also, when you file your claim, be very specific about the timeline of when your hours were reduced and how it affected your ability to pay basic living expenses. The Department of Labor wants to see that the hour reduction created a genuine hardship that made continuing employment unreasonable. Document your monthly expenses too if you can - rent, utilities, food costs - to show that 15 hours a week wasn't sufficient to meet your basic needs. And definitely start applying for other jobs now if you haven't already, because they'll ask about your job search efforts during the claim process.

From what I understand, it's 3 work search activities per week in NY. But here's what I learned the hard way - make sure you understand what actually counts! Things like just browsing job sites don't qualify, but actually submitting applications, attending virtual job fairs, or doing informational interviews do. I keep a detailed log with dates, company names, contact info, and exactly what I did. Also recommend checking the NYS DOL website regularly because they sometimes update the requirements or clarify what activities are acceptable.

I went through this same confusion when I first started collecting! The 3 work search activities per week requirement is correct, but I'd also recommend calling your local One-Stop Career Center if you have questions about what counts. They're usually more helpful than trying to get through to the main NYS DOL phone lines. Also, don't forget that things like updating your resume, attending workshops (even virtual ones), or networking on LinkedIn can count as valid activities too. The key is just documenting everything properly with dates and details in case they ask for your records later.

Moving within state is fine but PLEASE update your address immediately. I forgot to update mine when I moved and it caused a delay in my benefits because they couldn't verify my identity during a routine check.

Just went through this exact situation! Moved from Manhattan to Albany in January while on unemployment. The process is super straightforward - just log into your NY.gov account and update your address in the "Personal Information" section. I also updated it during my weekly certification just to be safe. My benefits continued without any interruption. The only thing to keep in mind is that you still need to be actively searching for work and available to accept employment, so make sure you can realistically commute to job opportunities in your field. Since you mentioned you can commute back to NYC if needed, you should be totally fine. Good luck with the move!