Same thing happened to me with a restaurant closure. Turns out I had checked the wrong box during filing and it made it look like I quit instead of being laid off when the business shut down permanently. The appeal was straightforward once I provided the closure notice from my employer.

The key thing to remember is that NYS Department of Labor has very specific wording they look for when processing claims. "Position eliminated" should absolutely qualify as involuntary separation, but sometimes their automated system flags certain phrases incorrectly. I'd recommend gathering your layoff documentation (termination letter, final pay stub showing reason) and filing an appeal immediately. When you appeal, be very clear that you were "laid off due to lack of work/position elimination" rather than using terms like "restructuring" which can sometimes be misinterpreted. The appeal process usually takes 2-4 weeks, and you can request expedited processing if you're facing financial hardship. Don't let this denial discourage you - many people have to appeal their first decision.

The whole system is ridiculous anyway. Three jobs a week when there's barely any decent positions posted? NYS Department of Labor expects us to apply to anything just to meet their quota, even if it's not a good fit. It's just bureaucratic nonsense that doesn't actually help anyone find meaningful employment.

Just to add some clarity - the 3 work search activities per week is the standard requirement, but it's worth noting that NYS Department of Labor may have different requirements based on your benefit year or if you're in certain programs. I'd recommend checking your most recent determination letter or logging into your NY.gov account to see your specific requirements. Also, remember that "work search activities" is broader than just applications - it includes things like job interviews, career counseling, job fairs, and even creating/updating professional profiles on sites like LinkedIn. The key is documenting everything with dates, contact info, and what type of activity it was.

Thanks everyone! I'm going to file my claim this week. Hopefully the process isn't too complicated for partial benefits.

Good luck with your claim! Just a heads up - make sure you have all your employment documentation ready when you file. NYS DOL will want to verify your previous earnings to calculate your benefit amount. Keep copies of recent pay stubs and be prepared to provide your employer's information. The online application walks you through everything step by step, so it's actually pretty straightforward once you get started. The hardest part is just getting through if you need to call them with questions!

hang in there - took me 13 months but finally landed something last month. keep applying and don't let the chronic label get in your head

I'm in a similar situation - been unemployed for 9 months now and just learning about this chronic unemployment term. It's reassuring to hear that it doesn't create an official status that hurts future claims. Has anyone found any local workforce development programs or training opportunities that might help bridge the gap while we're searching? I'm in the Albany area and wondering if there are resources I'm missing.

THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS A MESS! I've been waiting 3 WEEKS for payments that show as processed. NYS Department of Labor doesn't care if we can't pay rent while they take their sweet time with deposits!!!

I'm in a similar situation - my payment was released yesterday and I'm anxiously checking my account every few hours! From what I'm reading here it sounds like Wednesday/Thursday is when most people see their deposits come through. It's nerve-wracking when you're counting on that money but it seems like the 1-3 business day window is pretty standard. Hang in there!