same here, been pending for 3 days now

I work as a benefits counselor and see this "pending $0" issue frequently. The "able and available verification" that you found means NYS DOL needs proof you're actively seeking work and available to accept employment. You'll need to upload your job search log (showing at least 3 job contacts per week) and possibly complete a questionnaire about your availability. Don't wait - the sooner you submit the required documentation, the faster your payments will resume. You can usually find the upload portal in the "Required Actions" or "Correspondence" section of your account.

I'm in a similar situation and have been researching this extensively. One thing I learned is that NY actually has some protections for formerly incarcerated people applying for unemployment - they can't deny your claim solely based on your criminal history. What matters is your work history and earnings during the "base period" (typically the first 4 quarters of the last 5 completed quarters). Since you worked for 2 years at the warehouse, you likely have enough work credits. When you file online through ny.gov, focus on your work history and be honest about your availability to work. Also, start documenting your job search activities now - keep records of every application, contact, and interview because you'll need to certify weekly that you're actively seeking work. The system can be frustrating but you earned those benefits through your previous work.

I went through this same situation about 8 months ago and wanted to share what worked for me. You absolutely can collect unemployment after incarceration in NY - your criminal record doesn't disqualify you from benefits you earned through prior work. Since you worked 2 years at the warehouse, you should have enough work credits. When I applied online through ny.gov, I had to provide employment history, wages, and dates, but they didn't ask directly about incarceration. However, during the phone interview (which took about 3 weeks to get scheduled), they did ask about the employment gap and I was honest about it. The key things that helped me: 1) Had all my W-2s and pay stubs organized beforehand, 2) Registered with the NYS job bank immediately after filing, 3) Started documenting job searches right away (you need 3 work search activities per week), and 4) Connected with a local American Job Center for additional support. The whole process took about 6 weeks total, but I did receive back pay from my filing date. One more tip - consider reaching out to reentry organizations like The Fortune Society or STRIVE - they understand the system and can provide job search support that counts toward your weekly requirements. You paid into unemployment insurance through your warehouse job, so you've earned the right to these benefits. Don't let anyone make you feel otherwise!

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Got my $0 deposit yesterday morning and have been stuck on pending for almost 3 weeks. Filed my claim in early February after my restaurant job ended when they cut staff due to slow business. Reading through everyone's experiences here is both reassuring and terrifying - sounds like the $0 deposit is definitely normal and means they're verifying our bank info, but the timeline seems to be all over the place! Some people get their actual payment in 2-3 days while others are waiting months. I've been certifying every single week religiously and checking my account status obsessively. Definitely going to start checking my portal messages daily now since so many people mentioned important notifications hiding there with no email alerts. Planning to try calling right at 8am tomorrow too. If I don't see any movement by early next week I might have to bite the bullet and try that claimyr service everyone keeps mentioning - sounds like actually talking to a human is the only way to figure out what's causing these pending delays. This whole system is such a nightmare but at least now I know I'm not alone! Thanks for asking this question OP, really needed to see other people dealing with the same frustrating situation 🙏

I'm in the same exact situation! Got my $0 deposit this morning and have been stuck on pending for 3 weeks now. Filed in late January after my company did layoffs. This thread is incredibly helpful - I was starting to worry something was seriously wrong with my claim, but now I understand the $0 deposit is actually their way of testing bank info before sending real payments. The timeline differences are pretty wild though - some people get paid within days while others wait months! I've been certifying every week without fail and checking my status constantly. Definitely going to start checking my portal messages daily since so many people mentioned important notifications get buried there with no email alerts. Also planning to try calling right at 8am starting tomorrow. If I don't see any movement by next week I might have to try that claimyr service everyone keeps talking about - sounds like actually getting a human on the phone is the only way to figure out what's causing these pending delays. Thanks for posting this question OP, it's reassuring to know so many of us are dealing with the same frustrating situation right now! 🤞

UGH the whole system is so confusing!! Why can't they just have a simple calculator on the website instead of making us guess?? I've been trying to figure out my benefits for weeks and every answer I get is different

Just wanted to add that you should also check if your employer has been properly reporting your wages to the state. I had an issue where my part-time employer wasn't submitting my wage reports correctly, which delayed my claim processing. You can verify this by checking your Social Security earnings record or through the NY.gov portal. Also, if you do end up filing, make sure to keep detailed records of your job search activities since you'll need to certify that you're actively looking for work each week to continue receiving benefits.

Same thing happened to me but with my car breaking down constantly. Filed anyway and got approved after they investigated. The key is showing it wasn't intentional misconduct.

I work in HR and can tell you that attendance issues don't automatically disqualify you from unemployment benefits. The NYS Department of Labor looks at whether the behavior was willful misconduct or due to circumstances beyond your control. Childcare emergencies can be considered compelling circumstances. Make sure to file your claim immediately and be completely honest about the situation. Keep any documentation you have about the childcare issues - texts, emails, etc. Even if your claim goes to adjudication, don't give up. Many people win their appeals when they can show the attendance problems weren't due to deliberate misconduct.