Anyone get their NY unemployment tourism industry refund yet?

So I worked at a major hotel in Manhattan for almost 4 years before getting laid off in August 2022 due to "restructuring" (they really just wanted cheaper staff). I filed for unemployment right away and qualified since I'd been there so long. In March 2023, I got this email about a tourism worker relief program that was offering one-time payments of around $3400 to eligible workers who lost their jobs during the pandemic fallout. I applied immediately when applications opened in April and got a confirmation email saying they received my application. The website said payment would be processed in 6-8 weeks. It's been almost 4 months now and I haven't received anything! The status checker just says "pending review" but nothing else. I've tried calling the number they provided at least 20 times but can never get through to an actual person - just endless recordings saying they're experiencing high call volumes. Has anyone who worked in tourism/hospitality actually gotten their payment yet? Is there a secret way to check your status or talk to someone? I'm getting really frustrated because I could really use that money right now and they promised it would come much faster.

How long after completing ny unemployment ID verification will I get my back payments?

NY unemployment denied me for base wages that look wrong - how to challenge their calculations?

Just got denied for unemployment benefits in New York because they said I didn't earn enough in my base period. This makes absolutely no sense to me. I worked steadily from August 2022 through November 2023 at the same company making around $780 per week. When I looked at the quarterly wage amounts they listed on my denial letter, the numbers seem way off from what I actually earned. For example, they show I only made $1,950 for July-September 2023 when I should have earned closer to $9,300 during that period. Who actually provides these wage numbers to unemployment? Is it my employer? The tax department? I've checked my pay stubs and the math doesn't add up at all. Has anyone successfully challenged these calculations and gotten their denial overturned? I really need these benefits after being laid off in a company downsizing.

Ny unemployment backpay taking forever and my family is suffering

Filed for unemployment in April after getting laid off from my construction job. Got approved in May and started getting weekly payments but still haven't received any of my backpay for the 6 weeks I was waiting. That's almost $3000 they owe me! Called the unemployment office like 20 times but can never get through - always says "due to high call volume" blah blah. When I check online it just says "pending" with no explanation. My landlord is threatening eviction, had to borrow money from my parents to buy groceries for my kids. How are people supposed to survive when the system moves this slow? Anyone know how to actually talk to a real person at NY unemployment who can help get this resolved?

Can I backdate my ny unemployment claims after missing several weeks?

I've been dealing with a frustrating situation with unemployment. I filed my initial claim back in September 2023, but there were verification issues that delayed my approval until early December. During that limbo period, I stopped certifying weekly since I thought there was no point without approval. Now that I'm approved, I realized I need those missed payments from mid-November through December (about 6 weeks total). The online system won't let me go back and certify for those weeks now. I called the unemployment office several times but can't get through to a human. Has anyone successfully backdated claims after missing certifications? I really need that money to catch up on bills that accumulated while waiting for approval.

Can we still claim ny unemployment benefits on tax returns this year?

I collected unemployment benefits for about 5 months last year after getting laid off from my construction job in February. Now I'm working on my taxes and trying to figure out if unemployment is still taxable income or if there's some kind of special deduction for it? I swear I read something about this changing recently. I received around $9,800 in total benefits and I'm wondering if I need to pay taxes on all of that or just a portion. The 1099-G form I got shows the full amount, but my brother-in-law said something about being able to exclude some of it. Anyone deal with this on their taxes already? The tax software I'm using is asking about unemployment income and I don't want to mess this up and either pay too much or get in trouble with the IRS.

When will 1099g forms be available for ny unemployment tax season?

I've been checking the New York unemployment online portal for the last couple weeks trying to get my 1099g form for 2023. I collected unemployment for a few months last year after getting laid off in May, and now I need the tax form to file my taxes. The website keeps saying they'll be available in January but it's already February 2nd and nothing's showing up! Tried calling the general number but couldn't get through to anyone. Anyone know when these forms are supposed to be released? My tax guy is breathing down my neck to get this paperwork in since I usually file early. Has anyone been able to access their 1099g yet?

NY unemployment website keeps crashing when trying to file weekly claim - anyone else?

Has anyone been struggling with the NY unemployment website lately? For the past 2 weeks I've been trying to file my weekly certification and the site keeps freezing or logging me out mid-process. I try different browsers (Chrome, Firefox, even tried Internet Explorer) and nothing works. When I finally get through to the certification page, it crashes right when I hit submit. Called the helpline about 30 times and can't get a human. This is my 4th month on unemployment and never had these problems before. My rent is due next week and I'm panicking because I haven't received any payments since October 29th. Is the system down for maintenance or something? Any suggestions on how to actually complete a weekly certification without the site crashing?

Does NY unemployment cover missed work due to COVID infection?

Got hit with COVID last week and my employer is telling me I need to stay home for 10 days. I can't afford to miss this much work without pay. Anyone know if ny unemployment covers this? I tried looking on the website but couldn't find any clear answers about short-term COVID absences. My boss says I don't qualify for sick pay since I'm only part-time (I work about 25 hours a week). I'm really worried about making rent next month if I don't get compensated somehow for these two weeks. Has anyone successfully claimed benefits for COVID isolation periods?

No payments for 7 weeks while ny unemployment investigates my claim after being fired

I was let go from my job on December 11th and filed for unemployment right away. The DOL started an investigation into my claim on December 19th, and I haven't heard anything or received a single payment since then. It's been over 7 weeks now and I'm completely out of savings. I've tried everything - calling at 7:58am right when they open, calling midday, sending multiple messages through the portal, and nothing has worked. Not a single update on my claim status or when I might get paid. Has anyone dealt with claim investigations before? Any advice on how to actually get someone to give me an update? This silence is driving me insane.