Just went through this exact situation last week! I submitted my questionnaire 10 days late and was freaking out too. Called the DOL and they said late submissions don't automatically disqualify you - they just get flagged for additional review which can delay your payments by 1-2 weeks. The key is to call them and explain the situation. They're usually understanding if you have a valid reason and it's not a pattern. Also pro tip - log into your NY.gov account and make sure all your contact info is updated so you don't miss future notices. You should be fine, just stay on top of it going forward!

I literally just went through this exact same thing 2 weeks ago! I was in full panic mode when I realized I submitted my questionnaire 5 days late. Called the DOL (used that claimyr service someone mentioned - totally worth it) and the rep explained that they have an informal grace period and rarely deny claims for being a few weeks late, especially if it's your first time. They said the system automatically flags late submissions for manual review but that doesn't mean denial. Mine got approved after about 8 days of review. Just make sure you don't have any other outstanding issues with your claim and you should be fine. The stress isn't worth it - they deal with late submissions all the time!

I went through this same situation last month when my company had layoffs. The most important thing to know is that NYS doesn't have a specific deadline like "you must file within X days," but your benefit week starts from the date you actually file your claim, not from when you became unemployed. So if you file today, your benefits would be calculated starting today, not from yesterday when you were laid off. I learned this the hard way when I waited almost a week thinking I needed to "get my paperwork together first" - ended up losing out on about $300 in benefits. My advice is to file online at ny.gov today even if you don't have every single document ready. You can always provide additional information later if needed.

I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago when I got laid off from my warehouse job. The biggest thing I wish someone had told me is that there's actually a one-week waiting period before you can start receiving benefits, so filing immediately is crucial. Even though there's no hard deadline to file, every day you delay pushes back when you'll actually start receiving payments. I filed on a Tuesday and had to wait until the following Tuesday to even be eligible for my first week of benefits. Also, make sure you keep track of all your job search activities from day one because you'll need to report them when you certify for benefits each week. The online system at ny.gov is pretty straightforward once you get started - don't let the intimidation factor stop you from filing today.

Anyone else feel like they're screaming into the void every time they try to contact NYDOL? I swear, it's easier to get ahold of bigfoot than an actual human being there 🙄

Just went through this process myself last month! The waiting is definitely the worst part. A few things that helped me: 1) Set up text/email alerts on your account so you don't miss any updates, 2) Keep a folder with all your employment docs organized and ready, 3) Screenshot everything when you submit - the system can be glitchy and you want proof of what you submitted. Also, don't panic if you don't hear back right away. I know people who got approved after 4 weeks and others who waited 8+ weeks. The inconsistency is frustrating but just keep certifying weekly and checking your account. You got this! 💪

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 in a very similar situation - filed my unemployment claim with NYS Department of Labor 8 days ago and also stuck in pending status with no updates. Like you, I've been checking my.ny.gov multiple times a day hoping to see some progress, but nothing changes. The phone system has been completely useless for me too - I've tried calling at least 6 times and either can't get through at all or get disconnected after waiting on hold. What's really stressing me out is not knowing if this is normal processing time or if there's some issue with my application that I should be addressing. I was laid off due to company downsizing, so it should be straightforward, but the uncertainty is killing me. Reading through all these responses is actually really reassuring though - it sounds like 2-3 weeks is pretty typical even for simple cases, and most people do eventually get approved. I've been keeping up with my weekly certifications just in case, and I'm going to try calling right at 8 AM tomorrow based on the advice here. Hang in there - we're definitely not alone in this frustrating waiting game!

yeah i had unemployment last year and got a small refund actually. but i think it was because i had other tax credits that helped offset things. really depends on your whole tax picture not just the unemployment part

Based on your numbers ($14,500 in benefits with $1,450 withheld), you'll likely owe additional federal taxes. The 10% withholding often isn't enough since unemployment benefits are taxed as ordinary income. For 2024, if you're single with $14,500 income, your effective tax rate would be around 12%, so you'd owe roughly $1,740 total federal tax. Since only $1,450 was withheld, you'd probably owe around $290 more. Don't forget about NY state taxes too - they don't automatically withhold state taxes from unemployment benefits, so you'll likely owe state taxes as well unless you made quarterly payments.