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I'm so worried this is going to happen to me too...I'm about to reapply next week when my benefit year ends. Reading this is making me panic. What if I can't pay my rent? Did you try going to the actual unemployment office in person? I'm wondering if that might be better than calling?
Most NY unemployment offices don't handle claims in person anymore - they'll just direct you to use the phone system or website. The exception is if you have a scheduled appointment or attend during specific limited hours for claim assistance. Check the NYSDOL website for locations that offer in-person services and what their hours are. Not all locations offer these services, especially since the 2024 restructuring.
Just wanted to share what finally worked for me last month. After trying everything, including that Claimyr service someone mentioned (which did get me through but the agent couldn't help with my specific issue), what ACTUALLY fixed my problem was emailing my state senator's office. They have staff dedicated to helping constituents with unemployment issues. I emailed on a Monday explaining my situation, got a response Tuesday asking for details, and by Friday I got a call from a supervisor at NYSDOL who fixed everything. My benefits were in my account the following Wednesday including all my back pay. Don't give up!
This is great advice, thank you! I never thought about contacting my state senator. Do you just use the contact form on their website? Did you need to provide specific documentation when you reached out to them?
Yes, I used the contact form on my senator's website. When they responded, they asked for: - My full name and address (to verify I'm in their district) - Last 4 of SSN - NY.gov ID (not password) - Date of initial application - Brief description of the issue They have a signed release form they'll send you that authorizes them to inquire about your case. The whole process was surprisingly efficient compared to dealing with NYSDOL directly!
Just a quick update on the NY unemployment system in 2025: they've actually improved the online application a lot recently. They now have a specific section for COVID-related claims and backdating requests built right into the regular application process. It asks specifically about illness and other good cause reasons for delayed filing. They've also added a virtual assistant chat function that can answer basic questions while you're filling out the application. It's not perfect, but it's definitely better than a few years ago when the system was constantly crashing. One more tip: if you have any friends or family who can sit with you while you complete the application, that often helps reduce the stress of the process.
btw my brother had to do this and he just went to the library and the librarian helped him fill it all out for free. might be worth checking if ur local library does this
If the selfie verification is where you're getting stuck, try these exact steps that worked for me: 1. Use a solid color wall as background (white or light blue works best) 2. Make sure light is coming from in front of you, not behind 3. Remove glasses, hats, or anything on your face 4. Hold your phone at eye level (not looking down at it) 5. Move slowly when following the prompts Also, their system sometimes has maintenance periods late at night, so try during business hours if possible.
UPDATE: I used the Claimyr service someone recommended below and finally got through to an agent! They confirmed I was missed in the April cycle due to a processing backlog but have now manually added me to receive payment on April 29th. They said this happens sometimes with eligibility determinations that come through right after a payment cycle. SUCH a relief to have an actual date now!
Good advice about saving the confirmation number. For everyone's reference, the current NY unemployment CTC payment schedule for 2025 is: - January 15th - February 19th (delayed due to President's Day) - March 18th - April 29th (delayed due to tax filing deadline) - May 20th - June 17th - July 15th If your eligibility is determined within 14 days before any of these dates, you might be rolled to the next cycle unless you specifically contact them to request inclusion in the current cycle.
Landon Flounder
Wait a minute I'm confused now. Is this about NY state tax refunds or federal tax refunds? Because I thought NY was doing their own separate adjustment for unemployment taxes in addition to the federal one? Can someone clarify?
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Miranda Singer
•This is referring to the federal tax adjustment for unemployment benefits received in 2021. New York State generally conforms to federal tax treatment of unemployment benefits, but they implement these changes separately. If you're specifically looking for a NY state tax refund, you would need to check your NY state tax account, not the federal IRS transcripts we've been discussing. The NY Department of Taxation and Finance has a separate system for checking refund status.
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Myles Regis
Thanks everyone for all the helpful information! I finally got my transcript and found the codes - looks like I'm getting a small refund (code 846) scheduled for next week. For anyone else looking, definitely check the Account Transcript and look for those transaction codes 291 and 846. And make sure you're looking at the right system depending on whether you're checking federal or NY state refunds!
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Brian Downey
•congrats on finding your refund! did u have to do anything special to get it or was it automatic?
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