When you start working part time, your first payment might be delayed. This is normal (annoying but normal). They often put your claim on hold for "review" when your status changes. Keep certifying every week even if payments pause.

Just went through this exact situation! Answer YES to "return to work" - it doesn't close your claim, just triggers the questions about days worked and earnings. I was paranoid about it too but saying yes is correct. The key things: report GROSS pay (before taxes), count any day you work even 1 hour as a full day worked, and keep detailed records. You can work up to 3 days OR earn up to $504/week and still get partial benefits. If you go over either limit, you get zero that week but your claim stays active. The 22 hours/week should work perfectly for partial benefits as long as it's spread over 3 days or less. Good luck with the job!

So glad to hear you got through and figured out what was holding things up! This is such a common issue - the NY unemployment system really needs to do better at communicating these additional requirements upfront. I went through something similar last fall where they needed extra documentation but never told me through the online portal. Only found out when I finally reached an agent after weeks of trying. It's ridiculous that people have to guess what might be missing from their claim. Hopefully once you get your documentation processed, the back payments will come through quickly. Thanks for sharing the Claimyr tip too - might be useful for others stuck in the same boat!

This is exactly what I needed to see! I'm in week 3 of waiting after my ID.me verification and was starting to panic that something was wrong. Your update gives me so much hope - it sounds like there are often these hidden documentation requirements that never show up in the online account. I've been hesitant to try calling services like Claimyr since I wasn't sure if they were legitimate, but hearing multiple people confirm it worked is really encouraging. I think I'm going to give it a shot tomorrow rather than continuing to bang my head against the wall trying to get through on my own. The fact that you'll get all your back payments once everything processes is such a relief to hear. Thanks for taking the time to update everyone - this kind of real experience sharing is so valuable when the official system gives us basically no information!

I'm in week 3 of waiting for my NYS Department of Labor claim decision and wanted to share a resource that's been helpful. If you're struggling to get through on the phone like many of us, try calling right when they open at 8:00 AM - I had better luck getting through earlier in the day. Also, I discovered that you can check for any pending correspondence or requests for additional information by logging into your account and looking under the "Messages" or "Correspondence" section. Sometimes they'll request documents or clarification there without sending you an email notification. The waiting is absolutely nerve-wracking when you're counting on benefits, but from everything I've read here and elsewhere, most straightforward layoff claims do get approved - it's just a matter of patience. Keep doing those weekly certifications and stay on top of any communication from them. We're all in this together!

I'm in a very similar situation - filed my unemployment claim with NYS Department of Labor 8 days ago and also stuck in pending status with no updates. Like you, I've been checking my.ny.gov multiple times a day hoping to see some progress, but nothing changes. The phone system has been completely useless for me too - I've tried calling at least 6 times and either can't get through at all or get disconnected after waiting on hold. What's really stressing me out is not knowing if this is normal processing time or if there's some issue with my application that I should be addressing. I was laid off due to company downsizing, so it should be straightforward, but the uncertainty is killing me. Reading through all these responses is actually really reassuring though - it sounds like 2-3 weeks is pretty typical even for simple cases, and most people do eventually get approved. I've been keeping up with my weekly certifications just in case, and I'm going to try calling right at 8 AM tomorrow based on the advice here. Hang in there - we're definitely not alone in this frustrating waiting game!

I've been getting mine consistently on Tuesdays around 10am for the past few months. The key is to certify as early as possible on Monday - I usually do it right after midnight and the payment hits Tuesday morning like clockwork. If you wait until later in the day Monday or certify on Tuesday, it might not process until Wednesday. Also heads up that during holiday weeks the schedule can shift by a day or two.

I've been claiming for about 6 months now and can confirm that Tuesday is the most reliable day. I certify every Sunday night around 8pm and almost always see the deposit Tuesday by noon. The few times it was delayed to Wednesday were during weeks with federal holidays. One tip - make sure your direct deposit info is correct in your NY.gov account because any banking issues can cause delays. Also keep all your job search documentation handy just in case they audit your claim, which can happen randomly and will hold up payments until resolved.

The whole system is a joke anyway. 26 weeks sounds good until you realize how little they actually pay you in NYC where everything costs twice as much. And don't get me started on the job search requirements - like we're not already desperately looking for work! They make you jump through hoops just to get the measly benefits you're entitled to.

For restaurant workers specifically, there aren't special unemployment programs but you might want to look into workforce development programs through the city. Some offer training for other industries while you're collecting benefits. Just make sure any training programs you enter are approved so they don't interfere with your weekly claim certifications.