I've been fighting this same battle for weeks! What finally got me through consistently was using Brave browser on mobile with these settings: 1) Enable desktop mode first, 2) Turn off all shields/ad blocking for the NY labor site, 3) Clear site data completely, 4) Use incognito/private mode, and 5) Try during off-peak hours (I've had best luck around 10-11 PM). The combination of desktop mode + no ad blocking seems to be the magic formula - their ancient site apparently breaks with any modern privacy features enabled. Also discovered that if you get stuck on the login page, don't refresh - just close the tab completely and start over. It's ridiculous that we need a PhD in browser troubleshooting just to file for unemployment in 2025, but this method has worked for me about 90% of the time. Hope it helps someone else avoid the endless frustration! 🙏

I was having the exact same mobile login nightmare until last week! Here's what finally worked for me after trying everything: Use DuckDuckGo mobile browser with desktop mode enabled. The trick is to also disable location services specifically for the browser while logging in - apparently their system has some weird geolocation conflicts on mobile. Also try switching your phone to airplane mode for 10 seconds, then back on to reset your connection before attempting login. I know it sounds random but it's been working consistently for me! The whole NY unemployment mobile experience is absolutely broken but at least this gets you through the login. Really hope they modernize this ancient system soon because these workarounds are getting ridiculous! 😤

The whole system is so confusing! Why can't they just give you a simple estimate when you start the application process? I spent hours trying to calculate mine and still wasn't sure until I actually got approved.

I've been through this process recently and want to add that you should also check if you qualify for the alternative base period if your regular base period doesn't meet the requirements. This uses the most recent four quarters instead of the first four of the last five. Also, keep in mind that the 50% calculation has a minimum weekly benefit of $104, so even if your calculation comes out lower, you'd still get at least that amount. The my.ny.gov site does have a worksheet you can download under the "Unemployment Insurance" section that walks through the math step by step - it's buried in there but helps a lot once you find it.

Have you considered asking your employer about a layoff instead? Some companies will work with employees who are relocating, especially if they value you as an employee. It's worth having that conversation before you just quit outright.

I actually went through this exact situation about a year ago when my spouse got transferred to California. NYS Department of Labor did initially deny my claim, but I found out there's a specific provision for "compelling family circumstances" that can sometimes apply to spousal job relocations. The key is documenting that the move was necessary (not just voluntary) and that you made reasonable efforts to continue employment. I had to appeal the initial decision and provide documentation showing my husband's job offer, proof that my company had no remote work options, and evidence that I tried to find comparable employment in NY before the move. It took about 3 months to get approved, but I did eventually receive benefits. The process was definitely stressful, but it might be worth exploring if you can show the move is truly necessary rather than just a preference.

UGH the whole NYS Department of Labor system is so confusing about timing! They should just let you file 24/7 like every other government system. Why make it complicated with specific hours?? And don't even get me started on how the website crashes every time there's high volume.

I've been filing my weekly claims every Sunday at 6 AM sharp for the past 6 months and it's become part of my routine. Pro tip: have your login info ready and maybe prepare your answers to the weekly questions the night before so you can get through it quickly. The system is definitely most reliable early in the morning - I've noticed it gets slower and sometimes glitchy later in the day when more people are using it.

I'm currently in week 2 of waiting for my adjudication to complete and honestly this thread is like finding gold! I was getting so stressed thinking I might lose those first couple weeks of benefits while my claim was stuck. Reading everyone's experiences here is such a relief - it sounds like getting back pay is actually the norm, not the exception. The fact that so many people got their full retroactive benefits from their original filing date gives me real hope. I'm definitely going to bookmark this thread and follow all the advice about checking for manual certification weeks and keeping track of payment dates. It's amazing how much better I feel just knowing other people went through this exact same situation and came out okay on the other side. Thanks everyone for sharing - this community is a lifesaver during such a stressful time!

I'm currently going through this same situation - my claim has been stuck in adjudication for about 3 weeks now due to some verification issues with my previous employer. Reading through all these experiences is honestly such a huge relief! I was really starting to worry that those first few weeks would just be lost money, especially since I'm already struggling to cover basic expenses. It's so reassuring to see that literally everyone who shared their story here ended up getting their full back pay from their original filing date. The consistency is really encouraging - it seems like once NYS Department of Labor approves your claim, the retroactive benefits are pretty much automatic. I'm definitely going to keep checking my account once I get approved and make sure to look for those manual certification weeks that some people mentioned. Thanks to everyone who took the time to share their experiences - knowing that this back pay is standard practice and not just wishful thinking is helping me stay patient through this frustrating process!