performance issues vs misconduct is a big difference though. if someone's just not good at their job that's not their fault really, they should get unemployment. if they're stealing or showing up drunk that's different

As someone who went through this recently, I can confirm what others are saying - you don't pay unemployment benefits directly to the employee. The NYS Department of Labor handles all payments from the trust fund that employers like you contribute to through payroll taxes. For performance issues (not misconduct), the employee will likely qualify for benefits, but this doesn't mean extra costs upfront for you. Your future UI tax rate could be affected if you have multiple claims, but that's calculated annually based on your overall claims history. Document everything well for your records, but performance terminations rarely disqualify someone from receiving benefits in NY.

I'm 67 and went through this exact situation about 6 months ago after being unexpectedly laid off from my engineering job of 28 years. The whole process was definitely intimidating at first, but it worked out better than I expected. A few things I learned that might help: NYS Department of Labor was actually pretty reasonable to work with once I got through to them (took many attempts!). They reduced my unemployment by about 70% due to my pension, but I still received benefits for the full 26 weeks while job searching. One tip that really helped me - when you're gathering pension documentation, ask your former employer's benefits department for a "pension offset letter" specifically for unemployment purposes. Many HR departments have a template for this since it's a common request. Also, don't overlook the value of networking with former colleagues and industry contacts - at our age, connections often matter more than online applications. I eventually found a great part-time consulting role that lets me ease into retirement while still contributing my expertise. The reduced unemployment benefits definitely helped bridge the gap financially during those first few months of searching. Hang in there!

I'm 62 and currently working but keeping a close eye on this discussion since my industry has been volatile lately. This thread has been absolutely incredible - so much real-world practical advice that you just can't find anywhere else! One thing I wanted to add for future reference: I've been pre-emptively organizing all my employment and benefits paperwork into a "layoff preparation" folder after reading everyone's experiences here. This includes getting copies of my pension plan documents, 401k statements, and even drafting a request letter for that "pension offset letter" that Emma mentioned. For anyone else who might be in a similar situation of anticipating potential changes, I'd highly recommend getting organized now while you still have easy access to HR and payroll systems. The peace of mind of knowing exactly what documentation you'd need and having it ready to go is invaluable. Thank you to everyone who shared their stories - you've turned what seemed like a nightmare scenario into something that feels manageable with proper preparation!

I'm reading through all these helpful responses and wanted to share what I just learned from calling that direct 599 line this morning! I called 518-457-9000, ext. 4500 right at 8am and got through to someone immediately - that tip about the direct line was a game changer. The agent confirmed that project management certifications are definitely approved for 599 extensions, especially when you can show how it builds on your existing background. She also mentioned something I hadn't seen discussed here yet - if you're doing an online program, make sure it has some kind of synchronous (real-time) component like live virtual classes or required video conferences. Programs that are completely self-paced asynchronous learning sometimes get rejected. For anyone still preparing their applications, she told me to emphasize the "occupational demand" in my area. I looked up Bureau of Labor Statistics data for project managers in New York and included that in my justification letter. Apparently showing you've researched the job market really strengthens your case. One more thing - she said they're processing 599 applications faster than usual right now (about 2 weeks instead of 3-4), so those of you with tight timelines might be in better shape than expected. I'm feeling so much more confident about this whole process now. Thanks to everyone for sharing such detailed advice - this thread seriously saved me from making several mistakes!

I'm currently in week 24 of my unemployment benefits and this thread has been absolutely invaluable for planning my next steps! After reading everyone's experiences, I'm confident that the 599 training program is my best option. I wanted to add a few resources I discovered while researching programs that might help others: 1. The NYSDOL website has a "Training Provider Directory" (though it's not easy to find) that lists pre-approved institutions. Search for "ETPL" (Eligible Training Provider List) on their site. 2. Many local libraries offer free career counseling services that can help you research training programs and even assist with application paperwork. I found this out from my local branch librarian. 3. If you're considering healthcare-related training (like medical coding or pharmacy tech), those programs tend to have very high approval rates for 599 extensions since healthcare is always in demand. I'm planning to call that direct 599 line (518-457-9000, ext. 4500) next week to discuss a healthcare administration certificate program. Based on @Jessica Nolan's recent experience, I'm optimistic about the faster processing times and will make sure my program has those synchronous learning components she mentioned. This community has provided better guidance than any official government resource I've found. Thank you all for being so generous with your real-world knowledge and experiences!

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - got let go after just 8 weeks at a new position. Reading through these responses has been super helpful! One thing I wanted to add is that when you file online, make sure you have all your employment information ready including dates, wages, and employer contact info for both your recent job and your previous 14-month position. The system will ask for detailed work history going back 18 months. Also, don't be discouraged if your employer contests your claim - that's pretty common and doesn't automatically mean you'll be denied. The Department of Labor will review everything and make their own determination based on the facts. Definitely apply ASAP since there's that waiting week before benefits can start!

I work in HR and can confirm what others have said - the 90 days absolutely doesn't disqualify you from unemployment in NY. We've had employees who were terminated during their probationary period (even as early as 30 days) successfully collect unemployment benefits. The Department of Labor will look at your entire work history during the base period, so your 14 months at the previous job should definitely help establish eligibility. When you file, just answer the questions honestly about the termination - "performance issues" as stated by your employer - and don't elaborate beyond what was officially communicated to you. I'd recommend filing your claim this week since there's typically a one-week waiting period before benefits begin, assuming you're approved.

This thread is incredibly eye-opening! I'm dealing with the same backpay delays - got my first payment 2 weeks ago but still waiting on 9 weeks of backpay. Reading about these hidden technical flags like "program transfer flags" is both helpful and infuriating. It's crazy that the system can just hold our money indefinitely due to these behind-the-scenes issues without any notification. @Keisha Jackson - thank you so much for sharing your detailed journey and the specific flag issue you discovered! This kind of information is gold for those of us still stuck in limbo. I had no idea to ask about program transfer flags specifically when I finally get through to an agent. What really gets me is how we're essentially forced to become system experts just to get our own benefits. The lack of transparency is unacceptable - we shouldn't have to guess why our payments are delayed or crowdsource technical troubleshooting tips. But I'm grateful for communities like this where we can share experiences and help each other navigate this broken system. Definitely saving all these insights for when I can finally reach an agent!

Just want to add my experience to this incredibly helpful thread! I got my first payment about 5 weeks ago but I'm still waiting on backpay for 11 weeks from my June application. After reading through everyone's stories, especially @Keisha Jackson's journey with the program transfer flag, I realize I probably have some similar technical issue blocking my payments. What really strikes me is how this thread has become like an unofficial troubleshooting guide for NY unemployment - we're all sharing the technical knowledge that the system should be providing upfront. The fact that we have to crowdsource information about program transfer flags, verification holds, and other system quirks just to understand our own benefit status is completely backwards. I'm definitely going to try calling this week and specifically ask about program transfer flags and any other holds on my account. It's frustrating that we have to become system experts just to get our own money, but threads like this at least give us the right questions to ask. Thanks to everyone sharing their experiences - this community support is honestly more reliable than the official channels!