have you considered taking on some part time work while you rebuild your business? that way you'd start paying into UI for future protection

I'm in a similar boat - been freelancing as a graphic designer and haven't had steady work in months. From what I've learned, New York does have some options beyond traditional UI that might help. You could look into the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) programs which sometimes offer support for people transitioning between different types of work. Also, if you're willing to take on even part-time W-2 employment, you'd start building eligibility for future unemployment benefits. In the meantime, definitely explore local food banks and utility assistance programs - many don't require you to have been traditionally employed. The struggle is real when you're self-employed and hit a rough patch.

Have u reached out to ur previous employer? Sometimes they can help verify ur previous claim or at least provide documentation that might help.

I went through something similar earlier this year - the email issue is such a nightmare with their system! One thing that worked for me was going to my local One-Stop Career Center in person. I brought every piece of paperwork I had from my previous claim (old letters, benefit statements, anything with my claim number on it) and they were able to look me up in their system and help reset my account access. It took about 2 hours but they got me back in same day. Way better than spending weeks on the phone. You can find your nearest location on the NY DOL website under "career centers." Definitely bring your ID, Social Security card, and any old unemployment docs you have. Good luck!

adjudication sucks but mine was only like 2 weeks. depends what the issue is i guess??

I went through adjudication last fall and it took about 3.5 weeks for my case. The hardest part is definitely the uncertainty and not knowing when it will end. A few tips that helped me: 1) Keep detailed records of all your job search activities since you'll need to show you're actively looking for work, 2) Check your my.ny.gov account daily for any requests for additional information - sometimes they ask for documents and if you miss it, it can delay things even more, 3) Consider reaching out to local food banks or emergency assistance programs to help bridge the gap while you wait. The back pay really does come through if you're approved, so hang in there. I know it's scary when rent is due but you're doing everything right by continuing to file weekly.

Thanks everyone for the helpful responses! Just to confirm my understanding: I'll continue with my existing claim (since I'm only 2 months into my benefit year), certify weekly reporting 0 days worked, make sure I select "lack of work" as my separation reason, and consider calling NYSDOL to have them note the change in my file. Does that sound right?

Just went through this same situation in February! You're definitely on the right track. One small addition - when you certify and report 0 days worked, double-check that your "total gross earnings" field is also $0. Sometimes people forget to update that field even when they put 0 days worked, and any earnings amount can mess up your benefit calculation. Also, your first full unemployment payment might take an extra day or two to process since the system is adjusting your benefit amount, so don't panic if it's not there exactly when you expect it. Good luck!

Just to add - make sure you're not just applying online. The NYS Department of Labor likes to see variety in your search methods. I include networking events (even virtual ones), checking with former colleagues, and visiting businesses in person when possible. Mix it up and document all of it.

I went through this same confusion when I started my claim. The 3 per week is the unofficial standard most people follow, but I learned that networking activities and job fairs count too. What really helped me was setting up job alerts on multiple sites (Indeed, LinkedIn, company websites) so I wasn't scrambling each week to find applications. For retail management, I also reached out to former colleagues and suppliers - sometimes they know about openings before they're posted. Keep everything organized in a spreadsheet with screenshots of your applications. The documentation is crucial if they do audit you.