I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Applied for 599 approval back in January for a cybersecurity bootcamp and still haven't heard anything. Called last week and they said they're processing December 2021 applications - that's literally 14+ months behind! I've been living off credit cards while waiting and it's getting really scary financially. Reading all these comments makes me feel less crazy though. Definitely going to try calling every day and asking for a supervisor like some of you suggested. This system is absolutely broken but sounds like persistence might be the only way through. Has anyone tried contacting their state representative? Wondering if political pressure might help move things along faster.

This thread is giving me so much anxiety but also relief that I'm not the only one dealing with this insanity. I applied for 599 approval in March 2022 for a web development program and just called yesterday - they told me they're STILL processing applications from January 2022! At this rate I'll graduate before they even look at my paperwork. I've been surviving on part-time gig work but it's barely covering my expenses. The most frustrating part is how they act like this massive delay is totally normal. "Just keep waiting" they say while people are going into debt trying to better themselves. I'm seriously considering dropping out of my program even though I'm halfway through because I can't keep floating this financially. Has anyone had any luck getting their local representatives involved? I'm in Queens and wondering if my assembly member might be able to push this along. This whole situation is making me lose faith in the system completely.

Just to add - if you're ever dealing with NYS Department of Labor and need to actually talk to someone about your claim status or benefits, I had success using claimyr.com to get through their phone lines. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Way easier than trying to call myself and getting disconnected constantly.

This is really helpful info! I just started my first job and was also confused about all the tax deductions. So just to confirm - the only unemployment-related deduction I should see on my NY paystub is the state unemployment insurance (SUI), and that's usually a pretty small amount? I want to make sure I'm not missing anything when I review my pay stub.

anybody else notice that if u press 2 then 1 then 3 in the phone menu instead of following the prompts for new claims, sometimes it puts u in a different queue? worked for me last time but idk if they fixed that loophole yet

Just wanted to follow up - did you manage to get through? I found that using a landline (if you have access to one) sometimes works better than a cell phone. Something about how their phone system processes the calls.

If you're having trouble getting through to NYS Department of Labor to ask questions about your claim timing, I used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me reach an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Was way easier than sitting on hold for hours just to ask about filing deadlines and claim status.

Just file online at my.ny.gov ASAP. Don't overthink it. You need your social security number, employment history for the last 18 months, and your employer's info. The whole process takes maybe 20-30 minutes and then you'll start getting weekly claim forms. The longer you wait the more money you're throwing away.

just wanted to add that if you had ANY taxes withheld from your UI benefits you'll see that on the 1099-G too. i made the mistake of not having anything withheld and ended up owing like $800 at tax time

The whole unemployment tax situation is ridiculous if you ask me. They take forever to process claims, make you jump through hoops for your benefits, and then want to tax you on money you received because you LOST YOUR JOB. It's like getting kicked while you're down.