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I just wanted to add - if you're really concerned about privacy, you might want to set up direct deposit for future payments if you haven't already. That way there's no mail at all. You can do it through your NY.gov account under payment preferences. Much more discrete!
Excellent suggestion. Direct deposit is available for most NY unemployment benefits, including the tourism recovery payments. You can set it up through your NY.gov account by navigating to the "Payment and Tax Information" section and selecting "Update Direct Deposit Information." You'll need your bank routing number and account number. Changes typically take 3-5 business days to process.
Slightly off topic but does anyone know how much longer they'll be sending these tourism recovery checks out? My sister worked in a hotel in 2022-2023 and lost her job but hasn't received anything yet. Wondering if she should call about it or if they're still processing applications?
The Tourism Recovery Benefit Program is scheduled to continue disbursing payments through October 2025. However, eligibility is being processed in batches based on employment verification timelines. If your sister was verified in the early rounds, she should have received payment by now. I'd recommend she contact NYSDOL to check her status, especially if her NY.gov account doesn't show any pending tourism recovery benefit. The verification process does take longer for certain employers who were slow to submit employment records.
I had the same problem last month when they were doing some other update. What worked for me was trying to log in using the mobile site instead of the regular website. For some reason it was still working even when the main site was down. Try typing m.labor.ny.gov instead of the regular address.
Great tip! Just tried the mobile site and was able to at least see my account summary page. Still getting errors when trying to access detailed payment info, but it's better than nothing. Thanks!
For anyone still experiencing issues, the NYSDOL just posted an update on their social media. The system should be fully operational again by 9am tomorrow. They're also extending all certification deadlines by 3 days to accommodate for the downtime.
Update: Just got a letter saying I need to do a phone interview with a claims examiner next Tuesday. Getting nervous but at least something's happening. Thanks for all the advice everyone!
That's actually good news - it means your claim is moving forward. For the interview: 1. Be honest but concise 2. Stick to facts, not emotions 3. Explain clearly that you followed proper call-out procedures 4. Emphasize your good attendance record before this incident 5. Have documentation of the emergency ready to fax/email if requested 6. Mention that your union filed a grievance Good luck! Many claims with similar circumstances get approved.
This reminds me of when my dad got fired from his trucking job after 12 years because he missed two days when there was that huge snowstorm in 2024. He did everything right but they still gave him a hard time with unemployment. He finally got approved but then they underpaid him for like 6 months until he got it fixed. The system is so broken... hope you have better luck than he did!
Quick update on processing times - I've noticed from forums and my own experience that NYSDOL seems to be moving faster on BYE reapplications in 2025 compared to last year. Several people reported 10-14 day processing times recently, which is better than the 3-4 weeks that was common before. I think they've streamlined their verification process. That said, always plan for longer just in case your claim needs additional review.
Has anyone had their weekly benefit amount change after reapplying at BYE? I'm worried mine might go down since I worked less this past year.
Yes, this is a common concern. Your benefit amount is recalculated based on your base period wages when you reapply after a BYE date. If you worked fewer hours or earned less during your new base period compared to your previous one, your weekly benefit amount could indeed decrease. Conversely, if you earned more, it could increase. The system calculates this automatically based on reported wages from your employers.
Luis Johnson
THE NY UNEMPLOYMENT SYSTEM IS COMPLETELY BROKEN!! They DELIBERATELY make it hard to get your money hoping you'll give up. I had the EXACT same issue last month and had to call 67 TIMES before getting through. When I finally talked to someone they said "oh it was just a glitch in the system" and fixed it in 30 seconds. They do this ON PURPOSE to save money!!!! Everyone should file complaints with the state oversight board!
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Jasmine Hernandez
•While the system certainly has its frustrations, most delays are due to verification procedures and high volume rather than deliberate obstruction. The NYSDOL processes thousands of claims daily, and the verification systems are designed to prevent fraud, which increased 400% during the pandemic. These protective measures sometimes create legitimate delays, but there's no evidence of intentionally withholding approved benefits.
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Jace Caspullo
FINAL UPDATE: All my payments just hit my account this morning! 5 weeks of backpay all at once. Such a relief! If anyone else is dealing with this, definitely keep calling until you get through to someone who can actually check your specific claim status. Don't just trust when they say "it's processing" or "it should be there next week" - ask for specific details about what's causing the delay.
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Nathaniel Mikhaylov
•Congrats! So happy for you!
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Kristian Bishop
•Thanks for updating! This gives me hope mine will come through soon too!
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