I went through something similar last year - waited about 6 weeks to file thinking I'd land something quickly. The 4 week backdate limit is real and it stings, but here's what I learned: file your claim ASAP and be prepared for the phone interview where they'll ask about the delay. When I explained that I was actively job searching and didn't realize the urgency of filing immediately, they were understanding but still couldn't go beyond the 4 weeks. The good news is once you're approved, the weekly benefits really help while you continue your job search. Also make sure you're meeting the work search requirements - you need to document your job search activities each week. Don't let this delay cost you any more potential benefits!

I'm going through the exact same situation right now - got laid off in late September and kept thinking "next week I'll find something" until here we are in January. The 4-week backdate limit is brutal but it's unfortunately set in stone. I finally filed my claim two weeks ago and just got approved yesterday. Here's what I wish I knew earlier: when you file online at my.ny.gov, have ALL your employment info ready (last 18 months of employers, dates, wages, reason for separation). The initial application took me about 45 minutes but having everything organized helped. Also, they scheduled my phone interview for about 10 days after I filed - be honest about why you delayed but don't overthink it. The rep told me that while they can't extend the backdate period, they understand people don't always know the rules. Most importantly, file TODAY if you haven't already. Every day you wait is money lost. The weekly benefit in NY ranges from $104-$504 depending on your previous wages, so even getting just 4 weeks backdated plus ongoing benefits is better than nothing. Hang in there - I know it's frustrating but at least we can still get help going forward.

Guys im in the same boat rn... filed 3 weeks ago and still havent gotten any $$ 😭 this direct deposit stuff is stressing me out

I went through something similar last month! When I saw that "register for direct deposit" option, I was confused too because I had already entered my banking info during the initial application. Turns out it's totally normal - the system sometimes asks you to re-verify your information as part of their fraud prevention measures. The IDme verification is just an extra security layer they've added recently. As long as you used the same bank account details both times, you should be good to go. I got my first payment about a week after doing the re-verification, so don't stress too much about it! The NY unemployment system is confusing but it usually works itself out.

The NYS Department of Labor system is such a joke. They make it impossible to reach anyone and then wonder why people are frustrated. I'm still missing two weeks of payments from when my claim was under review.

I'm dealing with the same issue right now! I've been certified for 4 weeks but noticed my first week never got paid. From what I've researched, you should look in your online account under "Payment History" to see if that first week shows as "pending" or just missing entirely. If it's showing as pending, it might resolve automatically, but if it's not there at all, you'll definitely need to call. I've heard calling right when they open at 8am gives you the best chance of getting through. Also try calling on Tuesday or Wednesday - Mondays are apparently the worst day to try.

If you're having trouble getting through to someone at NYS Department of Labor to ask about your specific situation, I used claimyr.com recently to actually reach an agent. They help you get through the phone lines when they're overwhelmed. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Might be worth checking if there's any way your consulting arrangement could qualify, especially if you had any employment mixed in.

The system is so broken!!! I know people who worked under the table for YEARS and got unemployment no problem but those of us who followed all the rules and paid our taxes properly get screwed over. Makes no sense.

Wait, I'm confused about something similar. If I worked one day but forgot to report it on my weekly claim, is that considered an overpayment? I only made like $80 that day but now I'm worried I'll owe money back.

I was in a similar situation a few months ago and decided to proactively contact NYS Department of Labor when I realized I had underreported my part-time earnings. It was definitely nerve-wracking, but the representative I spoke with was actually helpful and appreciative that I came forward voluntarily. They had me submit corrected information and calculated the overpayment amount - ended up being around $900. Since I reported it myself, they waived any potential penalties and just required repayment through monthly deductions from my remaining benefits. My advice would be to contact them sooner rather than later if you're confident you made an error. The longer you wait, the more it might look like you were trying to hide something.