Thank you everyone for all the info! I'm going to file a new claim during my last week and hope for the best. I'll make sure to gather all my gig work documentation just in case they need proof of some employment. This is all so stressful!

Just wanted to add that if you do get denied for a new claim, don't give up! You can appeal the decision and also look into other assistance programs while you're waiting. In NYC there's emergency rental assistance, SNAP benefits, and some local food banks that can help bridge the gap. Also check if your county has any emergency cash assistance programs - some do offer short-term help for people transitioning between benefit periods. The whole system is really complicated but there are other safety nets out there if you know where to look.

Just FYI the office hours posted online aren't always accurate. I drove to the Syracuse office during their posted hours and they were closed for 'staff training'. Always call first if you're making a special trip, even though getting through is hard.

I had a similar issue with flagged claims in the Albany area. What worked for me was going to the career center early in the morning (like 8:30 AM sharp) and asking to speak with someone about "claim resolution" rather than just general unemployment questions. They were more likely to help with specific claim issues rather than just directing me to call the phone line. Also bring all your documentation - pay stubs, separation notice, any correspondence from DOL. Sometimes they can at least tell you what's causing the flag even if they can't fix it on the spot.

I'm in a similar situation with my claim stuck in adjudication. For what it's worth, I called the Syracuse Career Center directly at (315) 479-3380 yesterday and got through after about 20 minutes on hold. They confirmed they're open 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM Monday-Friday, but walk-ins are limited and they strongly prefer appointments. The person I spoke with said most adjudication issues actually require review by their central office anyway, so visiting in person might not speed things up much. Still frustrating though - hope you get it sorted out soon!

Just wanted to add that if you do decide to visit in person, bring multiple forms of ID and any documentation related to your claim (termination letter, pay stubs, etc.). I went to my local office last month and they turned me away the first time because I only brought my driver's license. They needed two forms of ID plus all my employment paperwork. Also, get there early - I've heard they sometimes stop taking walk-ins if they get too busy, even during posted hours.

I'm in almost the exact same situation - filed my claim 11 days ago and have been constantly refreshing my online account looking for any updates! This entire thread has been such a huge relief because I was starting to convince myself that I'd done something wrong in my application. Like everyone else, I've been religiously doing my weekly certifications but that persistent $0 in payment history was really starting to freak me out. The explanation about "active" status vs. actual approval through the Monetary Determination letter is a game-changer - I had no clue that's what I should be watching for. I've been obsessively checking just the messages section, but now I'm going to start monitoring the Document Repository and correspondence sections too based on everyone's tips. Knowing that 2-3 weeks is completely normal processing time really helps set realistic expectations instead of panicking after just over a week. The uncertainty is definitely the hardest part of this whole experience, but reading everyone's similar timelines and success stories gives me so much hope. Thanks for starting this discussion - it's amazing how much better it feels knowing we're all navigating this stressful waiting period together!

I'm currently at day 14 since filing and just wanted to add my experience to this incredibly helpful thread! Like so many others here, I was getting really anxious about the $0 payment history and constantly checking my account. But after reading everyone's advice, I discovered that my Monetary Determination letter had actually been posted to the Document Repository section yesterday - I never would have thought to check there if not for this discussion! My weekly benefit amount is listed and everything looks good. For anyone still waiting, definitely check ALL the sections people mentioned here: messages, Document Repository, correspondence, and the main account overview. The 2-3 week timeline mentioned by several people seems to be pretty accurate. Keep doing those weekly certifications no matter what! This community has been a lifesaver during what felt like an endless waiting period.

Hey Chris! I went through this exact same situation last year and it's so frustrating. Just to confirm what others have said - once you've exhausted your 26 weeks of benefits, you're done until your benefit year ends in May 2024. Filing a new claim now won't work because you're still in your current benefit year. The system is designed so you can only get one set of benefits per benefit year, regardless of whether you use them all at once or spread them out. Since you've been collecting since June 2023, you've likely hit that 26-week maximum. My advice: 1) Don't file a new claim yet - wait until after May 2024, 2) Document any part-time work you do between now and then as it might help you qualify for a new claim later, 3) Look into other assistance like SNAP, rental assistance, etc. to bridge the gap, and 4) If you really want confirmation from DOL, use one of those callback services people mentioned to actually get through to someone who can look at your specific account. It sucks but you're definitely not alone in this situation. The wait until May feels long but at least you'll know exactly when you can file again if you meet the work requirements. Hang in there! 💪

I'm in a similar boat and just wanted to share what I learned after finally getting through to someone at DOL. When your benefits are exhausted during your benefit year, you're basically in limbo until that year ends. The confusing part is that the system will still show your benefit year as "active" even though you can't collect anything more. One thing that might help while you wait - if you do any gig work or part-time employment between now and May, make sure those employers report your wages properly. When you file your new claim in May, having recent work history could make the difference between qualifying or not. Also, don't feel bad about applying for other assistance in the meantime. I know it feels weird after being on unemployment, but programs like SNAP are there for exactly this kind of gap. The application is actually pretty straightforward online. The waiting game sucks but at least you have a clear timeline now - May 2024 is when you can potentially file again. Just focus on job searching and documenting everything in case you need it later!