Good luck with filing tonight! One tip - make sure you have all your employment info ready before you start (employer names, addresses, dates worked, reason for separation). The application will time out if you take too long gathering documents. Also, once you file that initial claim, don't wait to start your weekly certifications - you can file your first weekly claim the Sunday after you submit your initial application, even if you haven't gotten your determination letter yet. The sooner you start that weekly routine, the sooner payments can begin processing.

One thing I wish someone had told me when I first filed - don't panic if your claim status shows "pending" for a while after you submit. That's totally normal while they process your application. Also, make sure to check your messages in the online portal regularly because NYS Department of Labor will send important updates there, not just to your email. And if you do end up needing to call them, try calling right when they open at 8am - that's when you have the best chance of getting through. The phone lines get completely jammed by mid-morning.

The whole unemployment system is so confusing with all these random fields they ask for. Half the time NYS Department of Labor already has the information anyway but they still make you jump through hoops. Just fill out what you can and submit it - they'll contact you if they need anything else.

I had the exact same issue when I filed a few months ago! I spent way too much time searching through old documents looking for this number. Turns out you can just skip it entirely. NYS Department of Labor will match your employer based on the business name and your Social Security number from their records. Don't stress about it - just make sure you have the correct business name and address and you'll be fine.

Construction work is seasonal though, right? You might qualify for standby status if your employer expects to bring you back. That could affect how your benefits work.

Sorry to hear about the layoff after 8 years - that's really tough. Just to clarify one thing about the 26 weeks: while that's the maximum for regular state unemployment, you should also check if you qualify for any federal programs or workforce development assistance given your construction background. Sometimes there are additional resources for workers in trades who've been with the same employer long-term. Your local One-Stop Career Center might have information about retraining programs or extended benefits you could be eligible for. Worth looking into while you're collecting your regular UI benefits.

Broooo i went thru this and finally got my $10,000+ in backpay after 9 months of fighting. The ONLY thing that worked was getting my case escalated by a sympathetic agent using claimyr.com to connect faster without waiting on hold for hours. The fraud department eventually called me, verified my identity again, and released everything within 48 hours. Stay persistent!

This is absolutely infuriating and unfortunately way too common. I'm dealing with something similar - been stuck since October 2022 with a fraud flag that makes zero sense. The system is completely broken and designed to exhaust you into giving up. From reading all these responses, it seems like the multi-pronged approach is the way to go: use claimyr.com to actually get through to helpful agents, contact your state representative AND assembly member, file complaints with the governor's office, and keep detailed records of every interaction. Don't let them wear you down - you're entitled to those benefits and they're hoping you'll just disappear. The fact that so many people have eventually succeeded gives me hope we can all get through this nightmare!

Don't give up! I was unemployed for 16 months and thought I'd never work again. What finally worked was being completely honest in interviews about what I learned during that time and how it made me more motivated. Some employers actually see long-term unemployment as making you less likely to job hop.

I went through something similar after being laid off and struggled for over a year. What really helped me was the NYS Department of Labor's "Mature Worker Program" - they have specialized counselors who understand the challenges of long-term unemployment and age discrimination. They also connected me with employers who specifically value experienced workers. Don't overlook their apprenticeship programs either - some are open to career changers and provide paid training. The key is persistence and not taking rejections personally. You have value and experience that someone needs!