Just wanted to share my recent experience since I literally just went through this! Applied 3 weeks ago and got approved yesterday - so right in that 3-4 week timeframe everyone's mentioning. The key things that I think helped: - Did my weekly certifications EVERY week without fail (even when it felt pointless) - Completed the id.me verification within 24 hours of getting the email - Uploaded super clear photos of all my documents (W2s, ID, etc.) - Checked the portal every few days for any messages or requests The waiting is absolutely brutal and you'll definitely question if you did something wrong, but based on this thread it seems like most people do get approved eventually! I was ready to try that claimyr service if I hit week 4 but thankfully didn't need to. Backpay should hit my account in the next few days according to the portal. For anyone still waiting - this community has been so helpful for managing expectations. Hang in there! 🙌

Currently on week 2 of waiting and this whole thread has been SO helpful! I was starting to panic thinking I messed something up on my application, but seeing everyone's timelines makes me feel way better. Definitely keeping up with my weekly certifications - seems like that's the most important thing based on everyone's experiences. Quick question for those who've been approved - did you get any kind of notification when your status changed from pending to approved? Or did you just have to keep checking the portal? I've been checking probably too obsessively lol but want to make sure I don't miss anything important. Also bookmarking that claimyr.com thing just in case I need it after week 4. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences, this community is amazing! 🙏

I'm at 10 weeks post-hearing and FINALLY got my decision yesterday - approved with full backpay! I know how brutal this waiting period is because I've been following this thread obsessively for weeks. My judge also gave me the standard "2-3 weeks" line which is clearly just what they tell everyone. The financial stress nearly broke me - I had to take out payday loans just to keep my utilities on. What kept me going was reading success stories like @Theodore Nelson's and knowing that most people here eventually got approved. My advice: 1) Ignore the timeline the judge gives you and prepare for 8-12 weeks minimum, 2) Keep certifying weekly religiously (I got every penny of backpay), 3) Don't waste time calling the main DOL line, 4) Check your online account multiple times daily because mine updated there first, and 5) Try to find any temporary income source because this wait can destroy you financially. For everyone still waiting - I know it feels hopeless but these decisions ARE still coming through. The system is completely broken but hang in there!

I'm at 12 weeks post-hearing and just got my decision today - APPROVED with full backpay! I can't believe it took this long but I wanted to share my experience to give hope to everyone still waiting. Like everyone else here, my judge told me "2-3 weeks" which is apparently just a scripted response at this point. The wait was absolutely brutal - I had to sell my car just to pay rent and survive. What really helped me was finding this thread around week 6 and realizing I wasn't alone in this nightmare. Reading success stories from @Theodore Nelson and @Kelsey Hawkins kept me from completely losing hope. My key takeaways: prepare for 10+ weeks minimum (the 2-3 week thing is total BS), never stop certifying weekly even when you feel like giving up, and check your online account obsessively because that's where you'll see it first. I know 12 weeks sounds terrifying but the backpay was substantial - I got every single week I certified for. To everyone still waiting: this system is completely broken but decisions ARE still coming through eventually. Hang in there and don't give up!

I'm in a similar situation right now - my hearing is next Thursday and I'm terrified! My employer is claiming I was fired for poor performance but I have emails showing they were actually eliminating my position due to budget constraints. Reading everyone's experiences here is giving me so much hope. Quick question though - should I mention that I have witnesses who can verify the layoffs were company-wide, or should I just focus on my own documentation? I don't want to overcomplicate things but I want to make sure I present the strongest case possible.

I just want to echo what everyone else is saying - you're in a really good position if your employer doesn't show up! I had my hearing about 8 months ago and my former employer was also a no-show. The judge was incredibly fair and patient with me. Since you mentioned you were laid off due to budget cuts, make sure you emphasize that this was an economic decision by the company, not anything related to your job performance or conduct. If you have any documentation showing the layoffs were company-wide or affected multiple employees, that would be really helpful too. The fact that your employer initially contested it but then doesn't bother to show up to defend their position actually works in your favor - it suggests they don't have a strong case. Stay calm, stick to the facts, and you should be fine. Rooting for you!

Been there! The hardest part is just getting started honestly. Once you get into the rhythm of filing your weekly claims it becomes routine.

Just wanted to add something that helped me when I was in your situation - make sure you have all your employer information ready before you start the application. You'll need things like your employer's full business name, address, phone number, and the dates you worked there. Also gather your pay stubs from the last few months if you have them. Having everything organized beforehand makes the online application process much smoother. The my.ny.gov site can be a bit slow sometimes, so don't get discouraged if it takes a while to load pages. And remember, even though you're stressed about rent, try to be patient with the process - it really does work once you get through the initial setup!

Just make sure you understand the work search requirements! You'll need to document that you're actively looking for jobs that accommodate your restrictions. The NYS Department of Labor takes this seriously.

I'm actually going through something similar right now - my disability benefits end in about 6 months and I'm already starting to research this process. One thing I learned from my case worker is that you should start documenting your job search capabilities before your disability ends. Even if you can't actively apply yet, you can research positions that would work with your restrictions and keep notes. This shows the Department of Labor that you're serious about transitioning back to work. Also, don't forget to check if your employer has any return-to-work programs or if they're required to hold a position for you under FMLA - that could affect your unemployment eligibility timing.