Just to add some perspective - even after your employer responds, NYS Department of Labor can take additional time to review everything and make their decision. In straightforward layoff cases like yours it's usually approved quickly, but they still have to go through their process. Hang in there!

I went through this same process about 6 months ago when I was laid off from my tech job. My employer actually responded within 3 days, but then it took NYS Department of Labor another 10 days to process everything and update my claim status. The whole thing felt like it took forever when you're stressed about money. One thing that helped me was setting up direct deposit ahead of time through the my.ny.gov portal so when the payment was finally approved, it came through faster. Also, if you were laid off due to downsizing like you mentioned, that's typically a pretty straightforward approval once they get through the paperwork. Try not to stress too much - you should be good!

ugh the whole system is so confusing!! why cant they just make it simple for people who are already going through hard times

@Dylan Evans, I went through something similar when I moved from NY to Florida to help with my elderly father. A few key things that helped me: 1) Get a letter from your mom's doctor detailing her condition and need for care - this was crucial for proving "good cause" 2) Keep records of any communication with your employer about remote work options (emails, etc.) to show you tried to keep the job 3) File your claim ASAP even while gathering documents - you can submit additional proof during adjudication. The process was stressful but NYS Department of Labor did approve my case once I provided the medical documentation. Hang in there!

Just wanted to jump in as someone who's been navigating this system for a while - all the advice here is spot on! I'd add that it's also helpful to set up a simple routine for documenting your job search activities. I do mine at the end of each day rather than trying to remember everything at the end of the week. Also, don't forget that informational interviews, networking events, and even updating your LinkedIn profile can count as valid job search activities as long as you document them properly. The key is showing you're making a genuine effort to find work. And definitely keep those email confirmations - I create a dedicated folder in my email just for job application receipts. It makes everything so much easier if you ever need to provide documentation!

As someone who just went through an unemployment audit last month, I cannot stress enough how important it is to keep detailed records of EVERYTHING. I thought I was being smart by only documenting what I reported on my weekly claims, but when they selected me for review, they wanted to see 16 weeks worth of comprehensive job search activities. I had to provide proof for every single contact I made - not just the 3 per week I reported, but all of them. They also asked for documentation of networking activities, career fair attendance, skills training, and even time spent researching companies and industries. The audit process was actually pretty straightforward once I had all my documentation organized, but it would have been a nightmare if I hadn't been keeping thorough records. My advice: treat every job search activity like it might need to be verified later, because it very well might be!

Sofia, I totally understand your panic - I went through the exact same thing my first month! Here's what saved me: the NYS DOL actually has a pretty forgiving system for missed weeks. When you log into my.ny.gov, look for "Claim Weekly Benefits" and there should be an option that lets you see and file for any weeks you might have missed. The system will show you which weeks are available to file for. Just remember, you're always filing for the week that ended on Saturday - so if you missed filing for the week ending January 19th, you can still file it now, it'll just be marked as a late filing. The payment might be delayed by a week or two, but you won't lose the benefits completely. Going forward, I set my phone to remind me every Sunday at 8 AM to file my weekly claim - it's become second nature now. Also, don't forget to keep track of your work search activities for each week because you'll need to report those accurately even on late filings. You've got this!

Sofia, I completely feel your panic - I was in the exact same boat when I first started navigating the NY unemployment system! The timing really is confusing at first. Just to add to what everyone else has shared, I found it helpful to think of it this way: every Sunday through Saturday you file for the week that just ended on Saturday. So this Sunday you'd file for last week (ending yesterday). The good news is you have a full 7-day window to file each claim, so there's flexibility. If you did miss a week, don't stress too much - you can file late claims through my.ny.gov and while the payment might be delayed, you typically won't lose the benefits entirely. I also started keeping a simple calendar where I mark off each week after I file just so I can visually track that I've stayed on top of it. The system gets much easier once you establish the routine!

I'm dealing with this exact same "not authorized" error right now too! Started happening yesterday when I tried to do my weekly certification. I've been collecting unemployment for about 4 months with zero issues until now. Really scary seeing that message pop up when you're counting on these payments. I tried all the usual stuff - different browsers, clearing cache, restarting my computer - nothing worked. Reading through everyone's experiences here is actually really helpful though. Sounds like it could be anything from their system maintenance to some kind of security flag. I'm going to try that technical support number someone mentioned (1-888-581-5812) since it supposedly has shorter wait times. Also going to try the incognito browser window trick. Really hoping this gets resolved quickly because like many of you, I have rent due soon and can't afford any delays with my benefits. Will update if I find a solution that works!

I'm going through this exact same thing right now! Got the "not authorized" message when trying to certify this morning and nearly had a panic attack. Been claiming for about 2 months with zero issues until today. Reading through everyone's experiences here is actually making me feel a bit better - sounds like this is happening to a lot of people lately which suggests it might be a system-wide issue rather than something specific to individual accounts. I'm going to try the incognito browser window trick first since that's the quickest fix, and if that doesn't work I'll call that technical support number (1-888-581-5812) that someone mentioned. Really appreciate everyone sharing their solutions and experiences - this community is a lifesaver when you're dealing with NY unemployment's terrible system! Will definitely update if I figure out what's causing it or find a fix that works.