I'm in the exact same situation and it's driving me crazy! Applied in December, now it's March and still showing "pending" with absolutely no updates. I've called probably 30+ times at different hours - 7:59am, lunch time, late afternoon - and never once gotten past that stupid "high call volume" recording. What really gets me is that I know people who applied AFTER me and already got their determinations (both approvals and denials). So it's not like they're processing claims in order - it seems completely random which ones get looked at. I'm starting to think @Carmella Fromis is right about this being intentional. They're probably hoping we'll all just give up and find jobs so they don't have to pay out benefits. But like, I DID find a job! I just want to know if I'm entitled to the benefits for those months I was unemployed. Is that too much to ask?? Definitely going to look into that Claimyr thing people keep mentioning. At this point I don't even care about the cost - my time and mental health are worth more than whatever they charge. This whole system is absolutely broken.

I'm so sorry you're going through this - the exact same thing happened to me last year and it's absolutely maddening! I applied in September and didn't hear ANYTHING until February. Five months of just sitting in "pending" status while I'm trying to figure out how to pay rent and buy groceries. What finally worked for me was a combination approach: I contacted my state senator's office (not just assembly member) AND used that Claimyr service people keep mentioning. The senator's office actually has a dedicated unemployment liaison who can escalate cases, and they were way more helpful than my assembly member's office. But honestly, the Claimyr thing is what actually got me connected to a live agent who resolved everything in one 15-minute call. I know it sucks having to pay for something that should be free, but I calculated that I was losing way more money every day my claim sat there than what the service cost. Plus I got all my back pay once it was approved, so it was totally worth it. Don't give up - you deserve answers and if you're eligible, you deserve those benefits! The system is broken but there are ways around it. Hang in there! 💪

The whole system is so confusing! Why can't they just have clear guidelines about separation agreements on their website? Every situation seems different and you never know what's going to trip you up.

I went through this exact situation about 8 months ago with my company in NYC. The key thing that helped me was getting a letter from HR confirming that my position was being eliminated due to restructuring, even though I signed a separation agreement. When I filed my unemployment claim, I uploaded that letter along with the separation agreement. NYS Department of Labor approved my benefits without any issues. The severance didn't delay my benefits either since it was a lump sum payment, not ongoing wages. Just make sure you're honest about everything when you file - they can see if you received severance pay anyway, so transparency is your best bet.

Hey, I actually work as a benefits counselor and see this mistake happen ALL THE TIME - you're definitely not alone! The good news is that certification errors like this are usually pretty straightforward to fix if you act quickly. Here's my advice based on what I've seen work best: 1. Call ASAP - there's typically a limited window to correct these errors 2. When you get through, be very specific: "I need to correct a certification error for the week of 11/28/2023. I accidentally reported earnings over $504 when I actually earned $0." 3. Ask for the correction to be processed immediately and request a confirmation number 4. If the first agent says they can't help, politely ask to speak with a supervisor or the "certification corrections" department The system is definitely frustrating, but these kinds of input errors are considered "good cause" for corrections. Most agents deal with this weekly and know exactly how to fix it. Once corrected, your payment should process within 3-5 business days. Don't stress too much - I've helped dozens of people through this exact situation and it almost always gets resolved quickly once you reach the right person. Just be persistent with calling and don't take "no" for an answer from the first agent if they seem unsure!

I just went through this exact same thing two weeks ago! Accidentally hit the wrong button and reported like $700 in earnings when I made $0. I was freaking out just like you are now. Here's what actually worked for me after reading all the advice online: Used that claimyr service everyone's mentioning - yeah it's $20 but honestly worth every penny when you're about to lose a whole week's benefits. Got connected in about 30 minutes vs the 2 days I wasted trying to call myself. When I got through, I said exactly what @QuantumQuasar suggested: "I need to correct a certification error for week ending [date]. I accidentally reported earnings over $504 when I actually earned $0." The agent pulled up my file, saw it was obviously a mistake (probably because my work history showed I wasn't even employed), and fixed it right there on the call. Got my confirmation number, and the payment showed up 4 days later. Total relief! The key is definitely acting fast and being super clear about what you need. Don't overthink it - they deal with this mistake constantly and most agents know exactly how to fix it. You got this! 💪

Another thing to check - if you're seeing "pending adjudication" make sure you've submitted all required documents. Sometimes they send you a notice requesting pay stubs, separation letter, or other proof but people miss it. Check your online account for any "correspondence" or "messages" section. I missed a document request for 2 weeks because I didn't realize they had sent me something through the portal instead of regular mail. Once I uploaded what they needed, my claim moved forward pretty quickly.

I went through this exact same frustration a few months ago! Here's what helped me understand the system better: When you log into my.ny.gov, go to "Unemployment Services" and look for these key sections: 1) "Claim Status" - this will show if you're approved, pending, or in adjudication, 2) "Payment History" - shows any payments made or scheduled, 3) "Correspondence" - CHECK THIS! They often send important requests here that you might miss, and 4) "Weekly Certification" - make sure you keep doing this even during adjudication. The "adjudication" status basically means they're reviewing something about your claim - could be verifying your job separation, work history, or eligibility. It's frustrating but totally normal. Don't panic if you see it, just make sure you've responded to any document requests in your correspondence section. The wait times suck but most claims do get resolved eventually.

Keep in mind you also have to meet the job search requirements to keep getting benefits. You need to make at least 3 job search contacts per week and keep a log of them. NYS Department of Labor can ask to see your job search record at any time.

One thing to keep in mind is that the $504 maximum weekly benefit amount gets adjusted annually, so make sure you're looking at the current year's rates. Also, if you worked part-time or had variable hours during your base period, your benefit calculation might be lower than expected. The NYS Department of Labor uses your earnings from the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you filed your claim, so recent pay changes might not be reflected in your benefit amount. It's worth checking your benefit estimate on the ny.gov website once you file - they'll give you a pretty accurate breakdown of what to expect.