Don't stress about it too much. The whole NYS Department of Labor system is confusing at first but once you get your unemployment insurance number assigned, everything becomes clearer. Just make sure to save that number somewhere safe because you'll be using it constantly.

I had the exact same confusion when I first applied! Just to add to what everyone else has said - once you get your unemployment insurance number, write it down and keep it handy. You'll need it every single week when you certify for benefits, and if you ever have to call NYS Department of Labor about anything related to your claim. It's basically your ticket to accessing all your unemployment services. The good news is that once you have it, the weekly certification process becomes pretty straightforward.

Good luck with your hearing! The judge was pretty fair in my case. Just tell the truth and don't let your employer intimidate you with their HR person or lawyer if they bring one.

I just went through this process a few months ago and I totally understand your nervousness! Here's what helped me prepare: 1) Write down a clear timeline of exactly what happened leading up to your separation from work, 2) Gather any emails, texts, or documents that support your version of events, 3) Think about any witnesses who could back up your story (coworkers, supervisors, etc.), and 4) Practice explaining your situation clearly and calmly. During the hearing, the judge will ask you to tell your side first, then your employer gets to respond, and then there might be follow-up questions. Stay calm, stick to the facts, and don't get defensive even if your employer says things that upset you. The judge has heard it all before and they're pretty good at spotting when employers are stretching the truth. You've got this!

Just as an update, my payment just hit my account about 10 minutes ago! Check yours, maybe it's coming through now.

Glad to hear payments are starting to come through! I'm still waiting on mine but feeling much more optimistic now. This community is so helpful - it's reassuring to know when these delays happen that it's usually a system-wide issue and not something wrong with our individual claims. I'll definitely bookmark this thread for future reference if this happens again. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and updates!

2019 feels like a different world now doesn't it? Back when getting unemployment was relatively rare and the biggest worry was finding the RIGHT job not just ANY job. Those were the days when the NYS Department of Labor offices weren't completely overwhelmed with claims.

For anyone else looking for NYS historical unemployment data, I found that the Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED) website also has New York state unemployment rates going back years, including 2019. It's another good cross-reference source if you want to verify the DOL numbers. The data there shows the same 3.8% annual rate for 2019 that others mentioned. Really useful for academic research since it's easily downloadable in different formats.

Just want to say be really careful about this decision. Even if you think you have good cause, NYS Department of Labor can be unpredictable about approvals. Maybe try taking FMLA leave first if your situation qualifies? That might buy you time to figure out other options.

I've been through this exact situation and want to share what I learned. NYS Department of Labor does have "good cause" exceptions, but the bar is pretty high. For hostile work environment, you need more than just feeling uncomfortable - you need documented harassment, safety violations, or significant changes to your job terms. I'd recommend keeping a detailed log with dates, times, witnesses, and any written evidence (emails, texts, policy changes). Also consider if there are any protected class issues involved (discrimination based on race, gender, etc.) as those strengthen your case. Before quitting, try to exhaust internal remedies first - file complaints with HR, document their responses (or lack thereof), and consider reaching out to relevant agencies like OSHA or EEOC. This shows you made good faith efforts to resolve the situation. The appeals process can take months, so make sure you have a financial backup plan. Good luck!