I had my interview about two months ago and wanted to share a few additional tips that really helped me. First, make sure you have a pen and paper ready to take notes during the call - they might give you reference numbers or important dates to remember. Second, they asked me very specific questions about my last employer's policies, like whether there was a progressive discipline policy and if I was aware of it. Third, be prepared to explain any gaps in your work history or periods of part-time work before your current claim. The interviewer also asked about my computer skills and transportation situation to confirm I could realistically accept work offers. One thing that surprised me was they asked if I had any pending job interviews scheduled - apparently this can affect your availability requirements. The whole process was much more thorough than I expected but also very fair. Stay organized, speak clearly, and remember they want to help eligible people get benefits, not deny everyone who calls. You've got this!

I went through my phone interview about 6 weeks ago and it was honestly much less intimidating than I built it up to be in my head! They asked standard questions about my job separation, work availability, and job search efforts. One thing that really helped me was creating a simple "cheat sheet" with key dates, my former supervisor's name, and a brief timeline of my last few weeks at work. The interviewer was very professional and patient - they even repeated a question when I asked for clarification. The whole call took about 18 minutes and I got my determination letter exactly one week later. My biggest advice is to speak slowly and clearly, and if you need a moment to think or check your notes, just say "let me double-check that date for you" - they're totally fine with that. You're going to do great!

Have you considered looking into your state's Displaced Worker Program or asking about educational waivers? I know someone who got approved for unemployment while attending a certified nursing program because it was considered job retraining for a high-demand field. The key was that the program had to be pre-approved by the state and directly related to improving employment prospects. You might also want to check if your college has any partnerships with local workforce development boards - sometimes they can help navigate the bureaucracy and even provide additional funding. Don't give up on all options just yet, but definitely exhaust the research before making any big moves. The worst thing would be to quit your job and then find out you have no income stream at all.

I work at the NY Department of Labor and wanted to clarify a few things about unemployment eligibility and education. While it's true that voluntarily quitting to attend school generally disqualifies you from regular unemployment benefits, there are some legitimate pathways worth exploring. First, check if your program qualifies under the Training Benefits provisions - certain approved training programs can allow you to collect benefits while enrolled. You'll need to apply for approval BEFORE you quit your job though. Second, look into the Trade Readjustment Allowances if your job loss is trade-related. Third, some community colleges have workforce development partnerships that can provide both training approval and additional funding. My advice: schedule an appointment with your local Career Center counselor BEFORE making any decisions. They can walk you through all available programs and help determine if your educational goals align with any approved training categories. Don't quit until you have a clear funding plan in place.

I'm in a similar situation - been driving for the district for 3 years but this is my first time considering filing for unemployment over the summer. Reading through all these responses is really helpful! One thing I'm still unclear on though - when they ask about "reasonable assurance" on the application, do I check yes or no if my district already told us verbally we'll be back in September? They haven't given us anything in writing yet but our supervisor said we're all expected back. I don't want to mess up my application by answering that question wrong.

Just wanted to add my experience as someone who's been through this process multiple times. I've been driving school bus for 12 years and file for unemployment every summer. The most important thing is to be completely honest on your application and during your weekly certifications. Yes, you can collect benefits even if you have reasonable assurance of returning in the fall - the key is that you must be genuinely available and actively seeking work during the break. I usually look for summer camp transportation jobs, delivery driving, or other temporary positions. Keep detailed records of your job search activities because they may audit your claim. Also, don't let anyone at the school district discourage you from filing - it's your right as long as you meet the eligibility requirements. The benefits really help bridge the gap during those unpaid summer months.

From my experience dealing with NYS DOL requirements, the documentation is absolutely critical. I keep a detailed log in Google Sheets that I can access from anywhere - date, company name, position title, application method, contact info, and any follow-up actions. What really helped me was also saving PDF copies of job postings since they disappear, and I screenshot my application confirmations. Don't forget that career counseling sessions, skills assessments, and even updating your resume on job boards count as valid work search activities. The 3 activities per week requirement is real, and they do random audits. I also learned that if you need to speak with someone at NYS DOL about specific requirements, calling early morning (around 8 AM) gives you the best chance of getting through without waiting hours on hold. Better to be over-prepared than risk losing benefits - I've seen people have to pay everything back because they couldn't prove their job search efforts.

I just went through my first audit last month and want to share what really helped me get through it smoothly. Beyond keeping the basic spreadsheet everyone mentioned, I also created a separate folder on my computer for each week with screenshots of job applications, email confirmations, and even photos of business cards from networking events. One thing that surprised me was that they accepted my documentation of reaching out to temp agencies and staffing firms as valid work search activities - I had called several to discuss available positions and kept notes on who I spoke with and what types of roles they had. The auditor was impressed that I had such detailed records and my case was resolved quickly. My advice: treat your job search documentation like you're building a case file - the more evidence you have of genuine effort, the better protected you'll be if they come knocking!

Just went through mine last week! Honestly way less stressful than I built it up to be in my head. Mine was at the Rochester One-Stop with about 18 people. They did a group presentation first covering the basics - job search requirements, how to properly document your applications, and info about local resources. Then individual check-ins that lasted maybe 7-8 minutes each. The counselor just wanted to see I was keeping track of my job search efforts (I had everything in a basic Word doc with company names, dates, and positions) and asked if I needed help with anything specific. She actually told me about a job fair happening next month in my field that I hadn't heard about! Total time was about 90 minutes. My biggest takeaway: they genuinely want to help you find work, not trip you up. Just bring whatever organized records you have and be ready to talk about your job search efforts. The whole experience was way more supportive than scary. Don't overthink it - you'll be fine! 😊

Wow, this entire thread has been so incredibly helpful! I was honestly terrified about my upcoming meeting - had myself convinced they were going to interrogate me and find reasons to cut my benefits. But reading everyone's actual experiences here has completely flipped my perspective. It's amazing how consistent all your stories are about the meetings being supportive rather than intimidating. I love that so many people mentioned getting valuable job leads, learning about new resources, and receiving genuinely helpful advice from the counselors. I've been keeping my job search records in a messy notebook but definitely going to organize everything into a proper spreadsheet before I go. The tips about dressing business casual and bringing organized records are noted! Really feeling like this could actually be beneficial now instead of something to dread. Thank you all for taking the time to share your real experiences - this kind of community support is exactly what people going through unemployment need! 💙