Don't wait any longer OP. Even if you can only get 4 weeks backdated, that's still something. Plus you'll be eligible for benefits going forward. The weekly benefit amount in NY can be up to $504 so every week you delay costs you money. File online at my.ny.gov and start your weekly claims as soon as your claim is processed.

I went through something similar last year - waited about 6 weeks to file thinking I'd land something quickly. The 4 week backdate limit is real and it stings, but here's what I learned: file your claim ASAP and be prepared for the phone interview where they'll ask about the delay. When I explained that I was actively job searching and didn't realize the urgency of filing immediately, they were understanding but still couldn't go beyond the 4 weeks. The good news is once you're approved, the weekly benefits really help while you continue your job search. Also make sure you're meeting the work search requirements - you need to document your job search activities each week. Don't let this delay cost you any more potential benefits!

This exact same thing happened to me! I spent weeks pulling my hair out over this issue. Turns out the problem was that I had entered my mother's name with her middle initial when I first applied in 2020 ("Mary J. Smith" instead of just "Mary Smith"), but I completely forgot about that detail when trying to update my direct deposit info years later. The NY unemployment system is incredibly strict about matching the EXACT format you used originally - down to punctuation, spaces, and whether you included middle names or initials. Here's what I recommend: 1. Search your email for any old confirmation messages from when you first applied - look for subjects like "claim filed" or "application submitted" 2. Try every variation you can think of: maiden vs married name, with/without middle initial, different spellings, nicknames vs full names 3. Check for extra spaces or missing punctuation 4. Use the desktop website instead of mobile - it seems to work better for these updates Don't give up! Once you find that exact match, everything will work perfectly. The system is annoying but this is definitely solvable. Good luck! 🤞

I'm going through this exact same frustrating issue right now! The NY unemployment system keeps rejecting my mother's name when I try to update my direct deposit. After reading through all these incredibly helpful responses, I realize I need to be way more systematic about this. I think my problem might be that I used my mom's maiden name when I originally applied but I've been trying to enter her married name now. I'm going to dig through my old emails from 2020 to see if I can find any confirmation messages that show exactly what I originally entered. The tip about checking for middle initials, extra spaces, and even punctuation like hyphens or apostrophes is so helpful - I never would have thought the system would be that picky about formatting after all these years! I'm also going to try using the desktop website instead of mobile since several people mentioned that works better. It's honestly ridiculous that we have to go through detective work just to update our banking info, but at least now I have a real game plan instead of just randomly guessing. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and solutions! This thread has been way more helpful than anything on the official DOL website. I'll definitely update if I figure out what my specific formatting issue was. We're all suffering through this broken system together! 😅

I'm dealing with this exact same issue right now! Been working part-time at a coffee shop for 2 months, about 12-18 hours per week, and this week the system suddenly wants me to explain why I'm "no longer working" there. It's so frustrating because I literally just worked yesterday! Reading through everyone's responses here is actually really reassuring - at least I know it's not something I did wrong. I'm going to follow the advice about selecting "Other" and writing "Still employed part-time" but I'm definitely going to try calling too just to be safe. Has anyone noticed if certain types of jobs trigger this more often? I'm wondering if service industry schedules with variable hours are more likely to confuse the system.

This thread has been SO helpful - I'm going through the exact same thing right now! I work part-time at a grocery store (15-20 hours/week) and the system just triggered this "employer information" request even though nothing about my job has changed. It's actually kind of wild how many people are experiencing this identical glitch. Based on everyone's advice, I'm going to enter my employer info again and select "Other" with "Still employed part-time" as the explanation. But honestly, it's pretty concerning that the NY unemployment system has such a basic flaw that affects so many part-time workers and there's apparently no timeline for fixing it. We're already stressed enough trying to make ends meet with reduced hours - the last thing we need is the system creating phantom problems that could potentially mess up our benefits. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and solutions. It really helps to know we're not alone in dealing with this frustrating system bug!

The only thing to watch out for is if you're planning to retire soon - you need to be genuinely available for work. If you tell them during the interview that you're only looking for a few months before retiring, that might cause issues with your claim.

@Malik Thompson, you're definitely eligible! I went through this same situation at 64 when my company downsized. The application process was straightforward - no age-related questions at all. Just make sure you have your employment history ready (pay stubs, employer info) and be prepared to show you're actively seeking work. The weekly job search requirement is the same for everyone - I think it's 3 job contacts per week. Don't let age discrimination concerns stop you from applying for jobs either - your experience is valuable! Good luck with your application.

I'm in a similar situation - been driving for the district for 3 years but this is my first time considering filing for unemployment over the summer. Reading through all these responses is really helpful! One thing I'm still unclear on though - when they ask about "reasonable assurance" on the application, do I check yes or no if my district already told us verbally we'll be back in September? They haven't given us anything in writing yet but our supervisor said we're all expected back. I don't want to mess up my application by answering that question wrong.

Just wanted to add my experience as someone who's been through this process multiple times. I've been driving school bus for 12 years and file for unemployment every summer. The most important thing is to be completely honest on your application and during your weekly certifications. Yes, you can collect benefits even if you have reasonable assurance of returning in the fall - the key is that you must be genuinely available and actively seeking work during the break. I usually look for summer camp transportation jobs, delivery driving, or other temporary positions. Keep detailed records of your job search activities because they may audit your claim. Also, don't let anyone at the school district discourage you from filing - it's your right as long as you meet the eligibility requirements. The benefits really help bridge the gap during those unpaid summer months.