To all those having trouble reaching a human at Massachusetts Unemployment. I just ran across this video that gave me a shortcut to reach a human. Hope it helps! https://youtu.be/ok4BhTU0_EI

From what I understand, Massachusetts typically allows backdating unemployment claims up to one year from the date you file, but there have been some special provisions during the pandemic. The specific deadline can vary depending on your situation and when you initially became unemployed. I'd recommend calling the DUA directly at (877) 626-6800 to get the most accurate information for your specific case, as they can review your eligibility and let you know exactly how far back you can backdate your claim.

Wow, reading through all these responses is both reassuring and eye-opening! I've been struggling with a similar hold situation for about 7 weeks now and was starting to feel like I was the only one going through this nightmare. It sounds like unreported income is definitely the common thread here - I did some freelance social media work for a few small businesses and some occasional pet sitting that I honestly didn't think needed to be reported since the amounts were pretty small. Clearly I need to go back and report everything! Going to spend this evening going through all my Venmo, PayPal, and bank records to make sure I catch every single payment. The 8:05 AM calling strategy that several people mentioned sounds promising too - I've been calling at random times with zero success. Thank you all for being so open about your situations and sharing such practical advice. This thread has given me hope that there's actually a path forward instead of just being stuck in limbo forever. Really appreciate this supportive community! 🙏

I'm so glad I found this thread! I've been dealing with a similar situation for about 4 weeks now - my claim shows as "current" but on hold, and I keep getting that same "pending issues" message when trying to certify. After reading everyone's experiences here, I'm pretty confident it's because I didn't report some income from odd jobs I did through Craigslist and some occasional babysitting for neighbors. I honestly had no idea that cash payments and small gigs needed to be reported too! Going to spend tonight gathering all my records and updating my earnings info with absolutely everything, no matter how minor it seemed. And definitely trying that 8:05 AM calling strategy - you all have given me so much hope that this can actually get resolved! It's incredible how helpful this community is. Thank you everyone for sharing your stories and making me feel less alone in this frustrating process! 🙌

I'm going through something very similar right now and this thread has been incredibly helpful! My situation involves a supervisor who's been creating a hostile work environment through constant criticism, unreasonable demands, and what I can only describe as bullying behavior. Reading everyone's experiences gives me hope that there might be a way out that doesn't leave me completely without income. I've already started documenting incidents after reading the advice here - wish I'd known to do this sooner. Has anyone dealt with a situation where the toxic behavior is more subtle/psychological rather than obvious harassment? I'm worried DUA might not see my case as strong enough since there aren't any explicitly offensive emails or clear-cut violations, just a pattern of behavior that's making me dread going to work every day.

I successfully got unemployment benefits after quitting due to a hostile work environment in MA last year. The most important thing is building a comprehensive case BEFORE you quit. Here's what worked for me: 1) Document everything in writing with dates/times/witnesses, 2) File formal complaints through your company's channels (even if they're unhelpful - DUA needs to see you tried), 3) Keep records of how it's affecting your health (doctor visits, therapy sessions if applicable), and 4) Look up Massachusetts General Law Chapter 151A Section 25(e) which covers "good cause attributable to the employer." The adjudication process took about 5-6 weeks for me, but I was approved because I could prove the conditions were objectively unreasonable and I had exhausted other remedies. Don't let fear of the unknown keep you trapped in a situation that's destroying your mental health - just make sure you have a solid paper trail first. Happy to answer any specific questions about the process!

Ugh, I'm dealing with this exact same nightmare right now! It's been about 8 weeks for me with absolutely zero communication from DUA - no letters, no emails, nothing. I was honestly starting to think I was the only one going through this hell, so finding this thread is such a relief! @Jade O'Malley your step-by-step breakdown is amazing - I'm screenshotting that and working through each point. And @Lucas Bey that calling service actually sounds tempting at this point because I've literally spent entire days on hold just to get disconnected. The most frustrating part is not knowing if there's some hidden issue holding everything up or if I'm just stuck in the endless queue. I've been doing my weekly certifications religiously but everything just shows "pending" forever. Going to try logging in super early tomorrow to dig for any hidden pending issues, and if that doesn't work I might actually try contacting my state rep. Never thought I'd need to become a detective just to get unemployment benefits! Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - we're all going to get through this mess eventually! 🤞

I'm going through the exact same thing and it's so frustrating! Been waiting about 4 weeks now with zero communication from DUA. I was starting to think maybe I missed some important step in the application process, but reading everyone's experiences here is actually really reassuring that it's not just me. @Jade O'Malley that step-by-step list is incredibly helpful - definitely saving that! And the tip about checking contact info is something I hadn't even thought about. I'm going to log in first thing tomorrow morning and go through everything with a fine-tooth comb. Has anyone else noticed if the time of day you log into the portal makes a difference? I usually check in the evenings but wondering if the system updates overnight or something. Also really curious about that calling service @Lucas Bey mentioned - $20 seems worth it if it actually works! Thanks everyone for sharing your stories and advice. At least we know we're not alone in this bureaucratic nightmare! 🤝

One thing that helped me was writing down all my employer info before starting the application. dates of employment, final day worked, reason for separation, gross wages for each job. having it all organized made the process way smoother

I went through this process about 6 months ago and here's what I wish someone had told me upfront: Download the DUA mobile app too - sometimes it works better than the website when the system is overloaded. Also, take screenshots of every page as you go through the application process. I had a glitch where my application seemed to disappear and having those screenshots helped prove I had submitted everything correctly. The whole process from filing to receiving first payment took about 3 weeks for me, but that was without any complications. Most importantly, don't panic if you make a small mistake - you can usually correct it later, but like others said, don't wait to file thinking you need everything perfect first.