my cousin had the exact same problem and he went to his local state rep's office and they helped him cut through all the red tape. might be worth trying

Update: I managed to reach someone at NYSDOL using the Claimyr service that was recommended here. The agent confirmed this is definitely identity theft and has escalated my case to their fraud department. They're sending me paperwork to formally dispute the 1099-G and said I should also file a police report ASAP for documentation. They're also helping me establish a new account with additional identity verification measures. Thank you all for your help and suggestions! I'll post another update when this is resolved in case it helps someone else.

my cousin didnt send his form back cuz he thot it was a scam email. big mistake! took him like 6 weeks to get his benefits back on. dont mess around with this!!

One more thing to add - after you submit the form, take a screenshot of the confirmation page or save the confirmation number. Sometimes their system glitches and there's no record of your submission. Having proof you submitted it within the deadline has saved several people I know from benefit interruptions.

One additional piece of advice: New York requires you to register with NY JobZone and create an active job search plan within 7 days of filing your unemployment claim. Many people miss this step and it can delay your benefits. Since you're part of a mass layoff, you should also check if your company is covered under the WARN Act, which might entitle you to additional benefits or services.

Based on the responses here, it's clear your situation should result in approval. To summarize the key steps: 1. File immediately 2. Select the correct reason for separation (layoff due to business closing) 3. Upload/provide the employer letter when prompted 4. Begin weekly certifications right away 5. Register with NY JobZone within 7 days 6. If you encounter any issues reaching NYSDOL, consider using a service to get through Most bankruptcy-related claims are processed within 2-3 weeks, so you should receive your first payment before your rent is due if you file immediately.

I've looked into this more thoroughly, and here's the complete explanation: The refund is specifically related to administrative processing fees that were incorrectly deducted from certain unemployment claims. The affected claims are those that: 1. Were active between October 2023 and May 2025 2. Had at least one payment delay or adjustment during the claim period 3. Were processed through the new NYSDOL benefits system The fee was approximately 0.3% of total benefits received and was mistakenly applied to claims when payments were reprocessed or adjusted. The state discovered this during a system-wide audit and is now returning these fees with interest (hence the somewhat odd amounts). If you received a refund, you'll get an official letter within 2 weeks explaining everything. If you believe you should qualify but haven't received anything by mid-August, you can contact NYSDOL directly to inquire.

I wonder if this has anything to do with that class action lawsuit against NYSDOL that was in the news a few months ago? Something about processing delays and improper fee assessments?

My sister had this exact problem last year! She worked as a independent contractor and her claim was pending forever. She had to fill out extra forms and send in her contract to prove she wasn't eligible to receive benefits as a business owner or something like that. I think they call it an audit? She eventually got approved but it took like 2 months. Wish I could remember the exact form name...

Update: I finally got through to someone! I followed the advice about calling right at 8:00 AM and only had to wait about 25 minutes. The rep confirmed that my claim is pending because of my 1099 status. They're investigating whether I was properly classified as an independent contractor or if I should have been treated as an employee. They're sending me the UC-189.3 form to fill out, plus I need to submit my contract and evidence of how my work was structured (like if I controlled my own hours, used my own equipment, etc.). Apparently, a lot of employers misclassify employees as 1099 to avoid paying certain taxes, and the DOL takes this pretty seriously. The agent said to expect another 2-3 weeks for review once I submit everything. Fingers crossed!