Another tip that might help - if you're still having trouble after the PIN activates, try logging in during off-peak hours (like early morning or late evening). The system tends to be less glitchy when fewer people are using it. I learned this the hard way after trying to certify during lunch breaks and getting nothing but error messages. Also, @Honorah King, make sure you're going to the official ny.gov unemployment site and not any third-party sites that might look similar. There are some sketchy copycat sites out there that can confuse the process. Hope you get it sorted soon!

I had this exact same problem a few weeks ago! The PIN creation process is so confusing - they really don't explain what happens next. What worked for me was logging into the mobile app instead of the website after my PIN was activated. For some reason, the certification option showed up there first before it appeared on the desktop site. Also, try checking under different menu sections - mine was buried under "Weekly Certification" instead of being on the main dashboard where you'd expect it. The whole system is honestly a nightmare to navigate, but don't give up! Once you find it the first time, it gets easier. Sending you good vibes that you get this sorted out soon! 🤞

This is such a great question and the answers here are super helpful! I'm also pretty new to the workforce and had similar confusion about all the different deductions and taxes. One thing that really helped me understand the bigger picture is that unemployment insurance is just one part of what's called the "social safety net" - you've got unemployment (employer-paid), disability insurance (employee-paid through SDI), Social Security and Medicare (both employer and employee pay), and workers' compensation (employer-paid). It's kind of like a patchwork of different programs that protect workers in different situations. The fact that unemployment is 100% employer-funded in NY actually makes sense when you think about it - companies benefit from having a stable workforce and a functioning labor market, so they contribute to a system that helps workers transition between jobs. Thanks everyone for breaking this down so clearly!

Thanks everyone for all the detailed explanations! As someone who just graduated and is still figuring out how all this stuff works, this thread has been incredibly helpful. I had the exact same confusion as @Dylan Fisher - looking at my paystub and trying to figure out where unemployment was coming from. It's actually kind of a relief to know that I don't have to worry about another deduction coming out of my already-smaller-than-expected paycheck! The comparison to employer-provided health insurance really clicked for me. I never thought about unemployment benefits as essentially another form of employer-provided insurance, just administered by the state. It's also eye-opening to learn about how the experience rating system works and why some employers might challenge legitimate claims. Definitely bookmarking this thread for future reference - hopefully I won't need to use unemployment benefits anytime soon, but it's good to understand how the system works just in case!

just file when you normally do, the computer doesnt take days off lol

I work for a bank and can confirm what Miguel said about payment delays - while you can file your claim normally on federal holidays through the online system, direct deposits and other electronic payments typically get delayed by one business day when banks are closed. So if you normally get your unemployment payment on Tuesday, it might come Wednesday after Presidents Day. The important thing is to file by your usual Sunday midnight deadline to avoid any issues with your claim.

I'm dealing with this exact same issue right now! Filed my claim about a week ago and have been stuck on that "pending" status with no weekly certification option available. Like everyone else here, I was told during my phone interview that I could start claiming benefits immediately, but when I log into the website there's literally nothing there except that pending message. This thread has been such a relief to find - I was honestly starting to worry that I had messed up something during my application or that my claim somehow got lost in their system. It's really frustrating how NYSDOL doesn't clearly explain upfront that new claims typically take 2-3 weeks to process before you can even access the weekly certification feature. They really should be more transparent about this waiting period instead of leaving people wondering what's wrong. I've been calling daily trying to reach someone but keep getting that automated message about high call volumes. Based on all the great advice in this thread, I'm definitely going to try calling right at 8 AM tomorrow when their lines first open. I'm also going to check that message inbox feature that several people mentioned - I had no idea that even existed on the site! It's such a relief to know that once our claims are approved, we'll be able to backdate and receive payments for all these weeks we're missing during the pending period. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences here - it really helps to know we're all going through this same stressful process together and that there's light at the end of the tunnel!

I'm going through this exact same situation right now and it's such a relief to find this thread! Filed my unemployment claim about 10 days ago and it's been stuck on "pending" status with absolutely no option to certify for weekly benefits. Like so many others here, the representative who helped me file made it sound like I could start claiming immediately, but clearly that's not how it actually works. Reading through everyone's experiences has been incredibly reassuring - I was honestly starting to panic thinking I had done something wrong with my application or that it somehow got lost in their system. It's really frustrating how NYSDOL doesn't explain upfront that new claims typically take 2-3 weeks to process. They should definitely be more transparent about this waiting period instead of leaving people in the dark wondering what's happening. I've been calling multiple times every day but keep hitting that automated wall about high call volumes. Based on all the advice here, I'm definitely going to try calling right at 8 AM tomorrow when their lines first open. I also had no idea about the message inbox feature - going to check that immediately! It's such a relief to know that once our claims are approved, we'll be able to backdate for all the weeks we're missing during this pending period. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences - it really helps to know we're not alone in this stressful process. Hopefully we'll all start seeing movement on our claims soon!

The whole NYS Department of Labor system is such a mess anyway. Half the time their offices are closed for random reasons and the other half the phones don't work. Presidents Day is just another excuse for them to not help people who desperately need their benefits.

I've been dealing with NYS DOL for months now and can confirm they follow federal holiday schedules. Presidents Day = closed offices and no phone support. Pro tip though - if you have any documents to submit, you can usually drop them in the secure drop box outside most offices even when they're closed. Just make sure everything is properly labeled with your SSN and claim number. The online portal for weekly certifications stays up like others mentioned, but don't expect any human assistance until Tuesday.