Hope things work out better than you expect! Sometimes those early job jitters turn out to be nothing. But good that you're thinking ahead about your options.

You might also want to check if your current employer has any kind of employee assistance program or HR department you could talk to about your concerns. Sometimes what feels like criticism early on is just part of the learning curve, and having an honest conversation about expectations could help ease your stress. But it's definitely smart to know your options - and like others mentioned, your previous work history should definitely count toward your base period eligibility if worst comes to worst.

wait what about if you get fired for being late too much? asking for a friend lol

Just went through this process myself! For the hostile work environment situation, document everything you can - emails, texts, any HR complaints you filed, witness contacts, etc. NYS considers constructive dismissal (being forced to quit due to intolerable conditions) as potentially qualifying for benefits, but the burden of proof is on you. I'd recommend filing anyway and letting them make the determination rather than assuming you won't qualify. The worst they can do is deny it, and you can always appeal with more documentation. Also keep in mind that even if initially denied, many people win on appeal once they can present their case more thoroughly.

I'm new to unemployment benefits and just started seeing "payment progress" on my claim status too. Reading through these responses is really helpful! It's reassuring to know this is actually a positive sign that everything is moving along normally. The NYS system can be pretty confusing when you're not familiar with all the different status messages they use.

I've been getting unemployment benefits for about 3 months now and "payment progress" has become pretty routine for me. It usually shows up for about a day or two after I certify my weekly claim, then switches to "released" and I get the deposit within another day. I think they added this status to help people track where their payment is in the process instead of just wondering why it's taking a few days. Much better than the old system where you'd just have to wait and hope everything went through okay!

Just file online and see what happens. My neighbor worked at a church and got benefits last year so it's definitely possible.

I went through this exact situation with my sister who worked at a synagogue. The key thing is that under the CARES Act and subsequent legislation, religious organizations that previously opted out of unemployment insurance can now have their employees covered under certain circumstances. Your wife should definitely file through the NYS Department of Labor website - don't let the church discourage you from trying. When she files, she should list her employment accurately and let the system determine eligibility. The worst case is they deny it, but many religious workers have been successfully approved. Make sure she has all her pay stubs and employment documentation ready when she applies.

omg the system is so confusing!! why cant they just let you get both if you need the money?? dealing with all this paperwork while trying to take care of family is stressful enough

I'm sorry to hear about your mom's stroke, Amina. This is such a difficult situation to navigate. From what others have shared, you're right that you can't collect both simultaneously, but I wanted to add that you should also check if you're eligible for FMLA (Family and Medical Leave Act) through your employer. While FMLA is unpaid leave, it provides job protection for up to 12 weeks if your employer has 50+ employees and you meet the other requirements. This could give you some security about getting your job back after caring for your mother. You might be able to use PFL for the income replacement while FMLA protects your position. Definitely worth asking HR about this option alongside the PFL application.