I'm in week 3 of waiting for my NYS Department of Labor claim decision and wanted to share a resource that's been helpful. If you're struggling to get through on the phone like many of us, try calling right when they open at 8:00 AM - I had better luck getting through earlier in the day. Also, I discovered that you can check for any pending correspondence or requests for additional information by logging into your account and looking under the "Messages" or "Correspondence" section. Sometimes they'll request documents or clarification there without sending you an email notification. The waiting is absolutely nerve-wracking when you're counting on benefits, but from everything I've read here and elsewhere, most straightforward layoff claims do get approved - it's just a matter of patience. Keep doing those weekly certifications and stay on top of any communication from them. We're all in this together!

I'm dealing with this exact same situation right now - filed my claim about 2 weeks ago and still showing pending status. The uncertainty is definitely the hardest part, especially when you're trying to budget without knowing when benefits might start. I've been religiously doing my weekly certifications and checking my account daily (probably too often!). One thing that's helped me manage the anxiety is remembering that "pending" doesn't mean "denied" - it just means they're still processing. I also started keeping a simple log of when I filed, when I do my weekly claims, and any updates I see, just so I have a timeline if I ever need to reference it. Reading everyone's experiences here is really reassuring - it sounds like 2-4 weeks is pretty normal for straightforward layoffs, even though it feels like forever when you're living it. Hang in there, and thanks for asking this question because I think a lot of us are wondering the same thing!

Congrats to everyone who finally got approved! This thread has been super helpful - I'm dealing with the same issue and filed in early February. Still stuck on pending review. Going to try the UI-578E form today and also look into Claimyr. It's ridiculous that we have to jump through all these hoops just to get benefits we're entitled to, but at least there are some workarounds. Really appreciate everyone sharing what actually worked for them instead of just complaining. Fingers crossed I'll have good news to share soon too!

Just wanted to add my experience - I filed in mid-January and was stuck on pending for 7 weeks. What finally worked for me was a combination of things: submitted the UI-578E form, contacted my state assemblyman's office, AND used Claimyr to get through to an agent. The agent discovered my claim was flagged because I had worked in both NY and NJ in the past year, which triggered their multi-state verification process. She was able to clear it up immediately once we spoke. One thing I learned - don't just submit the UI-578E form and wait. Follow up with multiple approaches because sometimes these claims get stuck for really specific technical reasons that only a human can resolve. The whole process is frustrating but there ARE ways to get through it. Keep pushing and don't give up!

One thing I learned from my own experience is that you should also check if your employer is offering any other benefits during the severance period, like continued health insurance coverage. Sometimes companies will maintain your benefits during severance which can affect how you report things to NYSDOL. Also, keep detailed records of all your severance payments and dates - if there are any issues with your claim later, having that documentation will save you a lot of headaches. The key is being completely transparent about everything when you file!

Just wanted to chime in as someone who went through this exact situation about 6 months ago. I was laid off from a tech company after 4 years and received 10 weeks of severance. The waiting period was definitely stressful, but everything worked out exactly as described here. A few things I learned that might help: 1. File your initial claim online the day after your last day of work - don't wait until severance ends. This gets your claim in the system and they'll calculate your waiting period. 2. Keep checking your online account during the severance period. NYSDOL will sometimes request additional documents or clarification, and responding quickly helps avoid delays once you become eligible. 3. Your weekly benefit amount will be calculated based on your regular wages from the base period, not the severance. So if you were making good money before the layoff, your benefits should reflect that. 4. Start your job search during the severance period if possible. You'll need to be actively seeking work once benefits kick in, and having a head start really helps. The system actually works pretty well once you understand it. Hang in there - those 8 weeks will go by faster than you think!

wait does anyone know if they count days you wer supposed to work but called out sick? my schedule said 5 days but i only worked 3 and called out 2 days last week

Thank you everyone for the helpful responses! I'm going to talk to my manager about possibly condensing my schedule to 3 days when possible. And I'll definitely keep certifying every week even when I work 4 days. I appreciate all the advice!

Just wanted to add that you should also check if you're eligible for any job training programs through NYS Department of Labor while you're between benefit periods. They have WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act) programs that can provide income support while you're in approved training, and sometimes this can be a bridge while you're waiting to see if you qualify for a new unemployment claim. I know someone who did a certified nursing assistant program through this and received support payments during training. It's worth looking into especially if you're considering switching career paths anyway.

Also worth mentioning that while you're navigating this situation, make sure you're still certifying for benefits if your online account allows it, even after your balance hits zero. Sometimes there can be delays in the system updating, and you don't want to miss out on any potential payments if Extended Benefits become available or if there are any adjustments to your claim. I learned this the hard way when I stopped certifying thinking I was done, then found out later I had missed a few weeks of potential benefits when EB kicked in. The NYS DOL representatives told me it's better to keep certifying until you get a definitive message that your claim is completely closed and no extensions are available.