Just wanted to add that even if your employer does contest your claim, don't panic! I went through this last year when my former employer tried to claim I was fired for poor performance (which wasn't true - I was actually laid off). The adjudication process took about 3 weeks, but NYS Department of Labor was thorough and fair. They asked for my side of the story, looked at my employment records, and ultimately approved my benefits. The key is to respond promptly to any requests for information and be honest about what happened. Document everything you can about your layoff - emails, notices, anything that shows it was due to budget cuts rather than your performance.

Based on what everyone's shared here, it sounds like you should be fine since you were laid off due to budget cuts. That's exactly the type of separation unemployment benefits are designed for. The "under review" status is totally normal - they're probably just waiting for the standard response period from your employer to pass. Most employers don't waste time contesting legitimate layoffs since they'd need actual documentation to support their case. Keep checking your account regularly and make sure your contact info is up to date in case they need any additional information from you. The whole process can feel stressful when you're waiting, but layoffs for budget reasons are pretty straightforward cases.

I'm going through the same thing right now - about 3 weeks left on my benefits and getting really anxious about what comes next. From what I've been able to piece together from the NYS DOL website, you should get a notice in the mail explaining your options, but honestly their communication isn't always clear or timely. I've been keeping detailed records of all my job search activities just in case I need to prove I've been actively looking. One thing that's helped me is setting up an appointment at my local American Job Center (you can find locations on careeronestop.org) - they have counselors who can walk you through the different programs and extensions you might qualify for. They also help with resume review and job search strategies which has been useful since I've been out of work for so long. It's free and way less stressful than trying to navigate the system on your own.

I'm in almost the exact same situation and this thread has been so helpful! I'm at week 24 of my benefits and starting to panic about what happens next. Based on what everyone is sharing here, it sounds like the key things are: 1) Keep filing weekly claims no matter what, 2) Watch for that notice in the mail about 3-4 weeks before benefits end, 3) Don't wait until the last minute to take action. I'm definitely going to look into the American Job Center that Tasia mentioned - having someone explain all the options in person sounds way better than trying to decode the NYS DOL website on my own. Has anyone here actually gone through the process of getting extended benefits approved? I'm curious how long that takes and if there's typically a gap in payments while they process everything.

I'm in a similar boat - my benefit year is ending next month but I still have like 8 weeks of benefits left that I haven't used yet. Do those just disappear or can I still claim them somehow?

Just wanted to add that you should definitely file a new claim as soon as your benefit year ends if you're still unemployed, even if you're not sure you'll qualify. The worst they can say is no, but you might be surprised - sometimes people have earned more wages than they realize from part-time work or gig work that could qualify them. Also, make sure you keep filing your weekly claims right up until your benefit year ends so you don't miss any payments you're entitled to. The transition can be seamless if you file the new claim right away.

I'm currently in week 6 of adjudication hell and this thread is literally saving my mental health right now! My claim got stuck because my previous employer apparently "lost" the initial request for separation information and then took weeks to respond to the follow-up. I was starting to think those 6 weeks of benefits were just gone forever, but reading everyone's experiences here is giving me real hope. The fact that literally every person who shared their story got their full back pay once approved is incredibly reassuring. I've been living off savings and credit cards, and knowing that $3,600+ in retroactive benefits is coming once this nightmare ends is helping me stay sane. I'm screenshot-saving all the advice about checking for manual weekly certifications and following up if payments don't appear within 2 weeks. This community is amazing - thank you all for sharing your experiences and giving those of us still waiting the hope we desperately need!

I'm currently dealing with this same situation - my claim has been stuck in adjudication for about 2 weeks now due to some confusion about my separation date. Reading through everyone's experiences here is honestly such a relief! I was really starting to panic that I might lose those first couple weeks of benefits, especially since I'm already struggling to make ends meet. It's incredibly reassuring to see that literally every person who shared their story here ended up getting their full back pay once their claim was approved. The consistency across all these experiences is really encouraging - it seems like NYS Department of Labor does honor that original filing date when calculating retroactive benefits, even when the delays are completely out of our control. I'm definitely going to keep checking my account regularly once I get approved and make sure to look for any weeks that need manual certification. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their experiences - knowing that back pay is standard practice and not just wishful thinking is helping me stay patient through this stressful process!

I've been silently following this thread for days and finally tried the strategies everyone's been sharing - and it WORKED! Called yesterday at 4:24pm using the main number (1-888-209-8124), pressed 2 then 3 as suggested, and got through after about 21 minutes on hold. My issue was that my claim had been stuck showing "payment released" for 3 weeks but nothing was hitting my bank account. Turns out my bank had changed their routing number recently and the payments were bouncing back! The agent updated my direct deposit info and said the backed-up payments should process within 2-3 business days. One thing that really helped: I wrote down EXACTLY what I needed to say when the agent answered, including my specific issue, how long it had been going on, and what I'd already tried. This kept me from rambling and helped her identify the problem quickly. To anyone still trying: the 4:15-5:00pm window is absolutely real, and don't hang up if you get put on hold - I almost gave up at the 18-minute mark but stayed on and finally got through. This community has been more helpful than anything official. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences!

I've been watching this thread develop over the past few days and it's incredible how you all have basically reverse-engineered the NYSDOL phone system! As someone who works in customer service (different industry), I can tell you that these timing patterns are probably real - most call centers have predictable busy periods and slower windows. A few additional tips from my experience managing phone queues: - The 4:15-5:00pm success window makes perfect sense because most people assume offices are "winding down" and don't call then, but staff are actually still there and queues are lighter - Wednesday-Thursday really are typically lower call volume days across most industries - Having your account info ready (PIN, SSN, etc.) speeds up verification and shows the agent you're prepared, which often makes them more willing to spend time helping For anyone still struggling: create a simple checklist on your phone with all the info you need (PIN, SSN, bank routing, employer details, specific questions) so you're not scrambling when you finally get connected. Good luck everyone - this community support has been amazing to watch!