Make sure you apply as soon as possible after your last day of work! Don't wait because there's usually a one-week waiting period before benefits start. Also be prepared for potential adjudication if they need to verify your IHSS employment - it's not uncommon for non-traditional work arrangements to require additional review.

Just went through this process myself after my IHSS client moved to assisted living last month. One thing I wish I'd known earlier is to take screenshots of your online application as you go - the system sometimes times out and you lose your progress. Also, when they ask about your "employer," just put down the county or agency that processes your IHSS payments since that's technically who employs you. The whole process took about 3 weeks from application to first payment, so don't panic if it seems slow at first. Good luck Alice!

Just dealt with this same issue a few weeks ago and it was absolutely maddening! After trying everything mentioned here, what finally worked for me was a combination approach. First, log into NY.gov → "My Online Services" → "Unemployment Insurance Online" → then check MULTIPLE places because they scatter the info everywhere: "Account Summary," "Payment History," "Claim Details," and "Monetary Determination." Your status might show up in one but not others for no logical reason 🙄 Also DEFINITELY check your Messages/Correspondence inbox - I found my actual determination letter buried there that I would've completely missed! Timeline-wise, mine took 8 business days to appear anywhere on the site even though I checked obsessively every day. Keep doing your weekly certifications while waiting - that's crucial even if you're still pending! If nothing shows up after 2 weeks, honestly just call them early morning (around 8am Monday works best) or try that claimyr service people mentioned. The whole website is a disaster but hang in there, you'll eventually find your status hidden somewhere in that maze! 💪

I just went through this exact same nightmare a couple months ago and totally feel everyone's pain here! The NY unemployment website is seriously the worst designed site ever. What finally worked for me after trying literally everything was this specific path: Log into NY.gov → "My Online Services" → "Unemployment Insurance Online" → then you HAVE to check multiple places because they randomly scatter your info everywhere: "Account Summary," "View Payment History," "Monetary Determination Status," AND "Claim Details." Your actual status might show up in one section but not the others for absolutely no reason 🤦‍♀️ Also super important - check your "Messages" or "Correspondence" inbox because they love hiding critical updates there instead of putting them somewhere obvious! Timeline wise, mine took exactly 9 business days to appear anywhere on the site even though I was checking obsessively every single day. Keep doing those weekly certifications while you wait though - that part is crucial even if your claim is still showing pending! If you're still not finding anything after 2 weeks, definitely call them first thing Monday morning around 8am (best chance of getting through) or try that claimyr service people mentioned. The whole system is absolutely broken but hang in there, your status is buried somewhere in that confusing maze! 🤞

The NYS Department of Labor really needs to bring back in-person filing. Not everyone has reliable internet access and the phone system is a nightmare. This whole online-only approach is leaving people behind when they need help most.

Have you tried using a mobile hotspot or asking a friend/family member if you can use their internet connection? Sometimes filing from a different network can help if your home internet is unreliable. You could also try going to a coffee shop or other business with free wifi. The key is finding a stable connection so you don't get kicked out mid-application. If all else fails, keep trying that early morning call time - I've heard 7:45am right before they open sometimes works better than 8am when everyone else is calling.

I'm in a similar situation - filed my claim 10 days ago after being laid off and still waiting for the determination letter. The uncertainty is really stressful, especially when you're trying to budget and plan for the weeks ahead. From what I've been reading online, it seems like NYS DOL is still dealing with backlogs from the pandemic era, which might be contributing to the delays. I've been trying to stay patient but it's hard when bills are piling up. Has anyone tried reaching out to their local assemblyperson or senator's office? I heard sometimes they can help expedite things or at least get you a status update.

I'm going through the exact same thing right now - filed my claim 18 days ago after being laid off and still waiting for that determination letter. The "under review" status is driving me crazy! I've been checking my.ny.gov multiple times a day hoping to see some update. Reading through everyone's experiences here is actually really helpful though. It sounds like 2-4 weeks is pretty normal, especially if there are no complications with your claim. I know it's easier said than done, but try not to panic yet. The layoff situation should work in your favor since it's not a voluntary quit. I'm trying to remind myself that no news isn't necessarily bad news - they're probably just working through a backlog. Hang in there!

I just want to echo what everyone else has said - this thread has been a lifesaver! I was about to give up completely after a week of getting nowhere, but seeing all these success stories gave me hope to keep trying. For anyone still struggling, here's what I learned from reading through all these experiences: **Best times to call:** Right at 8:00 AM (start dialing at 7:59), or Wednesday afternoons 2:30-3:00 PM **Avoid:** Monday mornings (highest call volume) **Strategy:** Be prepared for 10-20+ redial attempts, use the 30-second rule between calls, have multiple phones ready **Backup options:** Alternate number 888-209-8124, contact your state assembly rep, or consider Claimyr service if you're really stuck The most important thing I learned is that persistence really does pay off. Almost everyone who kept trying eventually got through, even if it took days. The agents are actually helpful once you reach them - it's just getting past that initial phone bottleneck that's the challenge. Thank you to everyone who shared their strategies and came back to update us with their results. This kind of community support makes such a difficult situation more bearable! 🙏

This thread has been absolutely invaluable! I've been stuck in the same endless busy signal loop for 5 days now and was starting to think it was hopeless. Reading through everyone's detailed strategies and actual success stories has completely transformed my approach. What really strikes me is how this community has basically crowdsourced the solution to a broken system. The specific timing advice (7:59:45 dial time), the persistence strategies (30-second redial rule), and the alternative approaches (Wednesday afternoons, assembly rep contacts, Claimyr service) are all insights you'd never get from official sources. I'm planning to implement the full strategy tomorrow: multiple phones ready, 8 AM sharp timing, prepared for 15+ redial attempts, and all my documents organized. The fact that people like Vanessa (12 attempts), Rajiv (14 attempts), and others have succeeded using these exact methods gives me real confidence. One thing I really appreciate is how people keep coming back to share their success stories and encourage others. It shows this isn't just venting but actually solving problems together. When official systems fail us, this kind of community support becomes essential. Setting my alarms now and preparing for battle with the phone system tomorrow. Thank you to everyone who shared their hard-won knowledge - you've given me hope and a real action plan! 🙏