Just wanted to give an update - my PayPal deposit came through this morning around 8:30am! So it was about 14 hours later than my usual Chime timing, but not too bad for the first payment to a new account. Thanks everyone for the reassurance and info, this thread was super helpful when I was stressing yesterday. For anyone else switching to PayPal, seems like Tuesday morning is pretty common based on what people shared here.

I've been using PayPal for NY unemployment for about 6 months now and it's pretty consistent. Usually get mine between 6-8am on Tuesday mornings, but like others mentioned, the first deposit to a new account can be delayed. PayPal seems to do some extra verification on the first government deposit which can add 12-24 hours. After that it should settle into a regular pattern. One tip - make sure your PayPal account is fully verified (bank account linked, identity confirmed, etc.) before the deposit comes through, otherwise they might hold it longer for security reasons.

This is incredibly helpful and gives me so much hope! I'm currently preparing for my appeal hearing after being denied for "poor performance" when I was actually let go right after I filed a worker's compensation claim. Your advice about documentation is spot on - I've been gathering everything including emails showing my supervisor praised my work just weeks before the termination, and medical records proving my injury was legitimate. The timing alone seems suspicious to me. What really stands out from your post is the importance of practicing testimony out loud - I've been so focused on organizing paperwork that I hadn't thought about how I'll actually present my case verbally. Did you find the judges were generally fair in letting you tell your side of the story? I'm nervous about being interrupted or not getting to present all my evidence properly. Also, for anyone else going through this process, I found it helpful to request my complete personnel file from HR - sometimes there are positive reviews or commendations in there that you forgot about which can really strengthen your case.

This is such an inspiring success story! I'm currently preparing for my hearing after being denied for "insubordination" when I questioned unsafe working conditions at my job site. Your point about gathering every piece of documentation really hits home - I've been collecting safety violation reports, photos of hazardous conditions, and emails where I raised concerns to management. The part about practicing testimony out loud is brilliant advice that I definitely need to follow. I tend to get flustered when put on the spot, so rehearsing will help me stay focused on the key facts. Did you find that having a clear timeline of events was helpful when presenting your case? I'm trying to organize everything chronologically to show how my employer ignored safety protocols and then retaliated when I spoke up. Thanks for giving me hope that it's possible to win against employers who try to twist the narrative!

Just wanted to share my recent success story to give you hope! I was in the exact same situation 3 weeks ago - had to file a new claim but was missing 4 weeks of payments from my previous claim that just never came through even though I certified properly. After reading advice similar to what's been shared here, I called Monday morning at exactly 8:00 AM and got through on the second try. The key was asking specifically for the "Payment Resolution Unit" right from the start instead of trying to explain my situation to the general customer service rep. The specialist I spoke with (her name was Maria) was incredibly helpful and knowledgeable. She pulled up both my claims immediately and could see exactly what had happened - my certifications were all processed correctly but there was some kind of system glitch that prevented the payments from being released. She was able to manually push through all 4 missing payments while I was still on the phone, and I actually got confirmation emails within an hour of hanging up. The money hit my account over the next 3 days (not all at once, but one or two payments per day). Total time from phone call to having all my money was less than a week. Don't let anyone tell you that you can't get back pay after filing a new claim - you absolutely can and should! Just be persistent and make sure you get to the right department. Good luck!

I'm in a very similar situation right now - just filed a new claim yesterday but have 2 unpaid weeks from my previous claim that I'm really worried about losing. This thread has been incredibly helpful! Based on everyone's advice, I'm planning to call Monday morning at 8 AM sharp and ask specifically to be transferred to the "Payment Resolution Unit" right from the start. I've already gathered my old claim number, the exact dates of my missing weeks, and screenshots of my certification confirmations. One question for those who got their back pay successfully - did you notice any difference in how your new claim was processed while the old back pay issue was being resolved? I'm worried that having an open issue with the previous claim might somehow delay or complicate my new benefits. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - it's such a relief to know this is fixable and that other people have actually gotten their money back!

Just to add another perspective - I work in HR and see this confusion about exemptions all the time. One thing that often surprises small employers is that they can become liable for unemployment insurance retroactively if they meet the requirements. So even if your employer genuinely believed they were exempt when you worked there, NYS Department of Labor can determine they should have been paying in and require back contributions. This actually protects workers like you because it means your benefits could be available even if there was an oversight. The state takes this pretty seriously since unemployment insurance is meant to be a safety net for all eligible workers. Definitely file your claim - the department has seen every scenario and will make the right determination based on the facts of your case.

I went through something very similar when I left a small nonprofit organization. They insisted they were exempt because they had religious affiliations and only 5 employees, but when I filed my claim, NYS Department of Labor found that they actually should have been paying unemployment insurance for the past two years. The investigation took about 3 weeks, but I ended up receiving full benefits retroactively. What really helped my case was that I had kept pay stubs and could provide details about my work schedule and duties. Even if you're not sure about your employer's status, gather any documentation you have (pay stubs, tax forms, employment letters) before you file - it can speed up the process significantly. The department agents are actually really helpful once you get through to them, and they'll walk you through exactly what information they need to make a determination about your specific situation.

One thing to remember is that unemployment insurance is meant to be insurance - you pay premiums (taxes) and sometimes you have claims against the policy. It's the cost of doing business with employees. Focus on good hiring practices and clear documentation rather than worrying too much about one legitimate claim.

As someone who's been through this recently, I can confirm what others are saying about responding to NYS Department of Labor forms promptly. Even though it feels intimidating as a first-time employer dealing with this, the process is pretty straightforward. Just be honest about the circumstances - if it was truly a layoff due to business conditions, that's exactly what unemployment insurance is designed to cover. Your tax rate might increase slightly over time, but it's gradual and based on your overall experience rating, not just one claim. The key is staying on top of any correspondence from NYS Department of Labor and keeping good records of employment decisions going forward.