The unemployment system is so confusing for drivers though. I had to explain my work history going back like forever and they kept asking about why I had gaps between jobs. Like hello, sometimes there's downtime between companies!

I went through this exact situation last year after getting laid off from a regional carrier. As long as your employer paid into NY unemployment insurance and you meet the wage requirements, you should be fine. The fact that you drive across state lines doesn't matter - it's all about where your employer is registered and paying unemployment taxes. Make sure you have your pay stubs and separation notice ready when you apply. The online application is pretty straightforward, just be thorough with your work history details.

The whole system is broken honestly. Been dealing with NYS Department of Labor for years and it just gets worse. They take forever to make determinations then if you appeal it takes another 2 months for a hearing. Meanwhile people can't pay rent or buy groceries. It's ridiculous.

Keep filing your weekly claims even while determination is pending - that's important! Once your claim gets approved you'll get back pay for all the weeks you were eligible. Also make sure you're doing your job search activities and keeping records in case they ask for them later.

Final piece of advice - in your appeal, be professional but also human. Explain your situation clearly, acknowledge any mistakes you might have made in record-keeping (without admitting to fraud, which you didn't commit), and emphasize that any errors were unintentional. Mention financial hardship if applicable. Appeals judges are looking for honesty and good faith efforts to comply with the rules. I've seen many initial denials overturned on appeal when the person shows they genuinely tried to follow the requirements.

I went through something very similar about 6 months ago. The key thing that saved me was getting a detailed breakdown from DOL about exactly what they flagged. In my case, it turned out I had listed the same job posting twice (applied through the company website AND through Indeed for the same position) and they counted that as "inflating" my work search numbers. The appeal process took about 3 weeks, but I won because I could prove it was an honest mistake. Make sure when you document everything for your appeal, you include the date/time stamps on your applications and any confirmation numbers you received. Also, if you used any job search websites, see if you can print out your application history from your account - that really helped show my good faith effort to comply with the requirements.

This whole system is ridiculous. They fire people for something that's LEGAL and then deny them benefits when they need help the most. Meanwhile corporations get bailouts left and right. Sorry you're dealing with this OP.

Hey Oliver, I went through something similar about a year ago. Got fired from my retail job for failing a pre-employment drug screen (long story). NYS Department of Labor initially denied my claim, but here's what I learned: document everything about your termination. Get a copy of your employee handbook if you can, save any emails or texts about the drug test, and write down exactly what happened and when. Even if they deny you initially, the appeals process is where you have a real chance to present your case. I ended up getting benefits after my appeal because I could show inconsistencies in how my employer handled the situation. Don't give up before you even try - you might be surprised. Good luck!

Don't overthink it! FUTA is just background stuff that makes the whole unemployment system possible. Keep filing your weeklies and doing your job searches and you'll be fine.

Thanks everyone for clarifying this! I was getting anxious about all these federal acronyms but it sounds like FUTA is just part of the system that makes our benefits possible in the first place. Good to know I can focus on what I'm already doing - my weekly certifications and job search activities. The NYS Department of Labor portal can be overwhelming with all the different terms and requirements, so it's reassuring to hear from others who've navigated this successfully.