Just wanted to update that I found the right page and successfully recertified! Thanks everyone for the help. It's a huge relief. I set a recurring reminder on my phone for Sunday mornings too so I don't forget going forward.

As someone who went through this same confusion when I first started claiming benefits, I'd recommend also signing up for text alerts if NY offers them - some states do this to remind you about certification deadlines. Also, if you're ever traveling or won't have internet access during your certification window, you can usually call ahead to certify by phone. The automated phone system is actually pretty straightforward once you get used to it. Keep your Social Security number and PIN handy when you call. Good luck with your benefits!

One last important note: make sure you're still certifying for benefits every week while you wait for this to resolve. Many people stop certifying when they don't see payments, but you need those certifications to get backpay for all weeks once the issue is fixed. Set a calendar reminder to certify every Sunday without fail.

I'm dealing with almost the exact same situation! Filed in late January and it's been over 6 weeks of the same "determining benefit rate" status. What's really frustrating is that I can see in my online account that they've already calculated my weekly benefit amount ($347) but the payments just won't release. I've tried calling dozens of times with no luck getting through. Reading through all these responses, it sounds like there might be some kind of automated system flag that only a human agent can clear. I'm going to try contacting my assembly person this week since several people mentioned that worked for them. This whole system is absolutely broken - how can they send determination letters but then act like they don't know our benefit rates? Hang in there Emma, hopefully we both get this resolved soon! 🤞

Hey Everett! I totally feel your stress about the waiting period - I went through this exact same thing when I got laid off from my construction job about 6 months ago. Everyone's right about the one-week waiting period being standard in NY, but here's what really helped me get through it: I created a simple calendar to track my weekly filing dates so I wouldn't miss any, and I also reached out to local food banks and my electric company to explain the situation. Many utilities have hardship programs that can give you extra time if you show them your unemployment claim documentation. Since you were clearly laid off due to downsizing (not misconduct), your claim should process smoothly. I got my first payment exactly 2 weeks after filing once that waiting week was over. The anxiety is totally normal but you're doing everything right by keeping up with those weekly certs. Also, if you haven't already, screenshot your weekly filing confirmations - it's probably overkill but gives you proof if any issues come up later. You got this!

Hey Everett! I just went through this same situation a couple months ago when I got laid off from my restaurant job due to COVID cutbacks. The waiting period anxiety is so real - I was literally losing sleep checking my account every few hours! What everyone said about the one-week waiting period is correct, but here's what helped me stay sane: I called my bank and credit card companies to explain the situation and most of them offered temporary payment deferrals or hardship programs. Also, don't be afraid to reach out to local community resources - many churches and nonprofits have emergency assistance funds specifically for people waiting on unemployment benefits. Since you were laid off due to company downsizing and your claim shows active, you should see your first payment within the next week or two. I know it feels like forever when you're stressed about rent, but the system does work once it gets going. Keep filing those weekly certs religiously and try to focus on the practical stuff you can control while you wait. You're going to get through this!

I've been on UI for about 4 months and was also worried about audits at first. What helped me was calling the DOL directly to ask about their documentation requirements - they told me that as long as you're keeping records of at least 3 job contacts per week (which is their minimum requirement) with dates, company names, and how you applied, you're meeting their standards. I use a simple notebook to track everything and haven't had any issues. The rep also mentioned that most audits happen within the first few weeks of a claim if there are immediate red flags, so if you've been claiming for 6 months without issues, you're probably in good shape.

I've been on unemployment for about 8 months and never got audited. From what I understand, they mostly target people who have inconsistencies in their reporting or unusual patterns. I keep a simple Excel spreadsheet with all my job applications - date, company, position, how I applied, and any follow-up. Takes maybe 5 minutes each week to update and gives me peace of mind. The way I see it, if you're following the rules and keeping records, an audit would actually just confirm you're doing everything right. Don't let the anxiety consume you - focus that energy on your job search instead!

This is such an important thread - thank you everyone for sharing your experiences! I've been dealing with something similar and it's honestly scary how sophisticated these scams are getting. What really helped me was creating a simple checklist after reading through all these responses: 1) Never click links in emails claiming to be from government agencies, 2) Always manually type official websites (like labor.ny.gov) into your browser, 3) Check the actual sender email address, not just the display name, 4) Remember that real DOL communications usually come through your online account portal first, and 5) When in doubt, call the official number from their website (even if the hold times are brutal). I also set up credit monitoring after reading about how these unemployment scams often lead to other types of identity theft. It's a small monthly fee but worth the peace of mind. Stay vigilant everyone - these criminals are unfortunately getting better at what they do, but at least we can help each other spot the red flags!

This whole thread has been incredibly helpful! I work in banking and we've been seeing a massive uptick in unemployment-related identity theft cases over the past year. A few additional tips from what I've observed: 1) If scammers have filed a fraudulent claim in your name, you might start receiving unexpected 1099-G tax forms in January showing unemployment income you never received - definitely contest these with the IRS immediately, 2) Sometimes the first sign isn't even an email but rather your employer getting contacted by DOL to verify your employment status, so give your HR department a heads up about potential fraud, and 3) Consider setting up a my Social Security account at ssa.gov to monitor for any suspicious activity there too, since unemployment fraud often goes hand-in-hand with Social Security fraud. The good news is that once you report it and get through to the right people, NYS DOL has gotten much better at flagging and preventing further fraudulent activity on your SSN. Just be persistent with those phone calls and document everything!