I'm dealing with this exact same issue right now! Filed my claim about 5 days ago and seeing those $0 amounts everywhere was honestly terrifying. I was convinced I'd somehow screwed up my application or that I didn't qualify. This thread has been an absolute lifesaver - it's incredible how many of us are going through the identical experience. The NY unemployment system really needs to add some kind of status indicator explaining that claims are being processed instead of just showing $0 and leaving everyone to panic. I haven't received any document requests in my portal yet, but based on everyone's timelines here, it sounds like that's coming in the next week or two. Already set up my Sunday certification reminder after reading all these comments - seems like that weekly certification is absolutely crucial even when everything shows zero. The waiting is brutal when you're depending on these benefits, but reading everyone's success stories with getting backpay makes it feel manageable. Thanks to everyone who took the time to share their experiences and timelines - you're helping so many of us stressed newcomers understand this confusing process! 🙏

Just wanted to chime in as someone who went through this exact same nightmare about 2 months ago! Seeing that $0 benefit amount is absolutely terrifying when you're depending on those benefits to survive. I can confirm what everyone else is saying - this is completely normal during processing. My timeline was: filed claim → $0 showing for 3 weeks → got document request in portal → submitted docs within 2 days → benefit amount updated 1 week later → received massive backpay lump sum for all weeks I had certified. The most important things: 1) Keep certifying weekly no matter what (set a recurring phone alarm!), 2) Check your portal messages daily for document requests, 3) Don't panic about the $0 - it's just a placeholder while they crunch numbers. I know the waiting is brutal when bills are piling up, but based on your post it sounds like you're doing everything right. You already found the pay stub request in your portal which puts you ahead of most people! Once you submit those, things should move much faster. The NY system is absolutely terrible at communication but it does eventually work. Hang in there - that backpay is going to be such a relief when it hits! 💪

I'm going through the exact same thing right now - filed about 2 weeks ago and still showing pending. What's really frustrating is that the NY.gov portal doesn't give you any timeline or explanation of what they're actually reviewing. I've been religiously doing my weekly certifications like others mentioned, but the uncertainty is killing me. Has anyone had luck with the online messaging system in their account, or is calling really the only way to get actual information about what's causing the delay?

I'm dealing with this exact situation too - filed 3 weeks ago and just had my status change from pending yesterday! In my case, it turned out they were verifying my wages with my previous employer because there was a discrepancy between what I reported and what showed up in their system. The key thing that helped me was checking my account every morning around 7-8am (that seems to be when they update statuses) and making sure I had all my documentation ready. One tip - if you worked multiple jobs in the past 18 months, double-check that all your employers are listed correctly in your claim, because missing or incorrect employer info seems to be a common reason for pending status. Also, even though it's frustrating, try not to submit multiple online messages or call repeatedly - I was told that can actually slow down your case because it creates duplicate inquiries in their system. Keep certifying weekly and hang in there!

I'm really glad you asked this question - it's something a lot of people wonder about but are afraid to ask. Based on all the responses here, it sounds like NYS DOL actually has a reasonable process for handling family emergencies like yours with your sister in Canada. The consistent advice seems to be: call them before you travel, be completely honest about the medical emergency, have documentation ready (hospital info, doctor's notes, etc.), and request a temporary claim suspension rather than trying to file weekly claims while you're there. It's reassuring to see so many people who successfully navigated similar situations without losing their benefits. The key is being proactive and transparent rather than trying to work around the system. I hope your sister's health improves and that you're able to be there for her without worrying about your unemployment benefits. Family comes first, and it sounds like NYS DOL recognizes that when you follow the proper procedures.

This is such an important question that I'm sure many people in similar situations have wondered about but hesitated to ask. Reading through all these responses has been really eye-opening - I had no idea that NYS DOL had specific procedures for family emergency situations like this. It's incredibly reassuring to see so many real examples of people who successfully suspended their claims for medical emergencies involving family members abroad without losing their benefits or facing penalties. The consistent advice from everyone who's been through this seems crystal clear: call NYS DOL immediately when you know you might need to travel, be completely transparent about the family medical emergency, gather all relevant documentation (hospital contacts, medical records, doctor's notes), and request an official temporary claim suspension rather than trying to continue filing weekly claims while unavailable for work in NY. What really stands out to me is how understanding the representatives seem to be when people are honest about legitimate emergencies - it shows there's real humanity in the system when you follow the proper channels. To the original poster, I hope your sister's health situation improves and that you're able to be there for her without the added stress of worrying about your benefits. This thread proves that doing the right thing for your family and protecting your unemployment benefits aren't mutually exclusive when you handle it properly through official channels.

I'm currently experiencing this exact situation! Just got my $0.00 deposit from NYSDOL yesterday and was initially worried it meant there was an issue with my claim. Reading through all these experiences has been incredibly reassuring - it's amazing how consistent everyone's timeline has been with the test deposit followed by actual payment within 1-3 business days. This is my first time filing for unemployment so I had no idea what to expect from the system. The lack of communication from NYSDOL about what these test deposits mean definitely adds to the stress when you're already anxious about your claim status. Based on everyone's shared experiences here, I'm feeling much more optimistic that I should see my real payment by Thursday or Friday. Thanks to everyone who took the time to document their timelines - it really helps newcomers understand what's normal vs what requires action!

I'm going through this exact same thing right now! Just received my $0.00 deposit from NYSDOL this morning and immediately panicked thinking my claim was rejected or there was some error. This thread is such a relief to find - seeing so many people share nearly identical experiences with the same 1-3 day timeline from test deposit to actual payment really calms my nerves. I've been unemployed for about 5 weeks now and this will be my first payment, so the anxiety has been through the roof! The fact that NYSDOL doesn't explain what these test deposits mean definitely doesn't help with the stress. Based on all the positive outcomes shared here, I'm cautiously optimistic that I should see my real payment by Thursday or Friday. Thank you to everyone who shared their timelines and experiences - it makes such a huge difference for those of us navigating this confusing system for the first time. I'll definitely update when my payment comes through to add another data point for future people who find this thread!

@Zainab Abdulrahman Having gone through this process myself after being laid off from a similar manufacturing position, I can confirm that with your 8 years of full-time work at $55K, you'll definitely qualify for the full 26 weeks. What really helped me was creating a spreadsheet to track everything - your weekly certifications, job search activities, and any potential interviews or callbacks. The NYS Department of Labor system can seem overwhelming at first, but once you get into the routine of filing your weekly claims (usually takes 5-10 minutes online), it becomes pretty straightforward. One tip: save all your job application confirmations and keep detailed notes about each contact you make. I never got audited, but knowing I had everything documented gave me peace of mind. Also, don't forget to apply for jobs slightly outside your usual geographic area if possible - it shows good faith effort and might open up opportunities you wouldn't have considered otherwise. The manufacturing sector has been evolving, so this might actually be a good time to explore related fields that value your experience. Good luck with your search!

@Zainab Abdulrahman I went through the exact same situation last year after 6 years at a manufacturing company. With your work history, you'll definitely get the full 26 weeks. The thing that caught me off guard was how quickly those weeks go by when you're actively job searching. My advice is to treat the job search like a full-time job from day one - I wish I had started networking more aggressively in week 1 instead of week 10. Also, since you're in manufacturing, definitely look into the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program if your layoff was due to trade/import competition. It can provide additional training funds and extended benefits beyond the 26 weeks. The regular unemployment gives you a good foundation, but having a backup plan really helped my stress levels. Document everything religiously - I used a simple Google Sheet with columns for date, company, position, contact method, and follow-up notes. Made the weekly certifications much easier and I felt prepared in case they ever audited my search efforts.