I just successfully got through this morning using a variation of the strategies shared here! Called at 8:47am (slightly later than the usual 8:00am rush everyone talks about) and got connected after 28 minutes. What worked for me was calling the main number (1-888-209-8124) and when I got the automated system, I pressed 2 for existing claims, then 4 for payment issues instead of 3. This routed me to a different department but they were able to help with my benefit calculation question anyway. The agent discovered that my previous employer had reported incorrect wage information, which was causing my weekly benefit amount to be way lower than it should be. She corrected it immediately and said I should see the adjustment in my next payment. One tip that really helped: I called from my landline instead of my cell phone like someone mentioned earlier in this thread. Not sure if that actually made a difference but I figured it was worth trying. For anyone still fighting this system - don't give up! The morning window (8:30-9:15am) seems to work just as well as the afternoon one everyone's been having success with. Just avoid that initial 8:00am rush and be patient once you're on hold.

I've been struggling with this exact same issue for over 6 weeks now! My claim has been stuck in "under review" status and I can't get any information about what's holding it up. I've tried calling the main number dozens of times at random hours but always get stuck in that awful automated loop that eventually hangs up on me. Reading through all these success stories is giving me so much hope though! I had no idea about the specific timing windows or menu sequences that actually work. I'm definitely going to try the 4:15-5:00pm strategy tomorrow using the main number (1-888-209-8124) and press 2 then 3 like everyone's been having success with. I'll make sure to have everything ready beforehand: my PIN, SSN, all my pay stubs from last year, bank info, and a written list of specific questions about why my claim is stuck. It's absolutely ridiculous that we need to strategize like this just to reach our own state agency, but I'm so grateful this community exists to share what actually works when the official system is completely broken. Thank you to everyone who has shared their experiences and timing tips - this thread has been more valuable than months of trying to navigate the NYSDOL website on my own!

As someone who works in HR, I wanted to emphasize that pregnancy is a federally protected class under the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, so the NYS Department of Labor legally cannot use it as grounds to deny benefits. When you file your claim, focus on your work history and availability for employment - that's what matters. One thing I'd suggest is checking if your former employer is offering any severance or continued health insurance coverage, as maintaining health coverage during pregnancy is crucial. Also, if you haven't already, reach out to your local WIC office and look into prenatal care programs that might help with costs while you're between jobs. Your situation is completely normal and you absolutely qualify for the unemployment benefits you've earned. Stay positive and keep applying - there are employers out there who will value your skills regardless of your pregnancy status!

I just went through this process myself when I was 7 months pregnant and got laid off from my office job. The filing process was honestly easier than I expected - I did everything online through the NY.gov website and never had to mention my pregnancy anywhere. The most important thing is being honest about your ability to work when they ask during weekly certifications. I was actively job searching and physically able to work, so I answered yes to all the availability questions. What helped me was setting up a simple spreadsheet to track my job applications since you need to report your work search activities each week. I actually found a part-time remote position that worked perfectly with my timeline. Don't stress too much about the pregnancy aspect - the system really does protect your rights, and you've earned these benefits through your work. Focus on finding opportunities that align with your needs and timeline. You've got this!

Just wanted to give an update - my PayPal deposit came through this morning around 8:30am! So it was about 14 hours later than my usual Chime timing, but not too bad for the first payment to a new account. Thanks everyone for the reassurance and info, this thread was super helpful when I was stressing yesterday. For anyone else switching to PayPal, seems like Tuesday morning is pretty common based on what people shared here.

I've been using PayPal for NY unemployment for about 6 months now and it's pretty consistent. Usually get mine between 6-8am on Tuesday mornings, but like others mentioned, the first deposit to a new account can be delayed. PayPal seems to do some extra verification on the first government deposit which can add 12-24 hours. After that it should settle into a regular pattern. One tip - make sure your PayPal account is fully verified (bank account linked, identity confirmed, etc.) before the deposit comes through, otherwise they might hold it longer for security reasons.

This is incredibly helpful and gives me so much hope! I'm currently preparing for my appeal hearing after being denied for "poor performance" when I was actually let go right after I filed a worker's compensation claim. Your advice about documentation is spot on - I've been gathering everything including emails showing my supervisor praised my work just weeks before the termination, and medical records proving my injury was legitimate. The timing alone seems suspicious to me. What really stands out from your post is the importance of practicing testimony out loud - I've been so focused on organizing paperwork that I hadn't thought about how I'll actually present my case verbally. Did you find the judges were generally fair in letting you tell your side of the story? I'm nervous about being interrupted or not getting to present all my evidence properly. Also, for anyone else going through this process, I found it helpful to request my complete personnel file from HR - sometimes there are positive reviews or commendations in there that you forgot about which can really strengthen your case.

This is such an inspiring success story! I'm currently preparing for my hearing after being denied for "insubordination" when I questioned unsafe working conditions at my job site. Your point about gathering every piece of documentation really hits home - I've been collecting safety violation reports, photos of hazardous conditions, and emails where I raised concerns to management. The part about practicing testimony out loud is brilliant advice that I definitely need to follow. I tend to get flustered when put on the spot, so rehearsing will help me stay focused on the key facts. Did you find that having a clear timeline of events was helpful when presenting your case? I'm trying to organize everything chronologically to show how my employer ignored safety protocols and then retaliated when I spoke up. Thanks for giving me hope that it's possible to win against employers who try to twist the narrative!

Just wanted to share my recent success story to give you hope! I was in the exact same situation 3 weeks ago - had to file a new claim but was missing 4 weeks of payments from my previous claim that just never came through even though I certified properly. After reading advice similar to what's been shared here, I called Monday morning at exactly 8:00 AM and got through on the second try. The key was asking specifically for the "Payment Resolution Unit" right from the start instead of trying to explain my situation to the general customer service rep. The specialist I spoke with (her name was Maria) was incredibly helpful and knowledgeable. She pulled up both my claims immediately and could see exactly what had happened - my certifications were all processed correctly but there was some kind of system glitch that prevented the payments from being released. She was able to manually push through all 4 missing payments while I was still on the phone, and I actually got confirmation emails within an hour of hanging up. The money hit my account over the next 3 days (not all at once, but one or two payments per day). Total time from phone call to having all my money was less than a week. Don't let anyone tell you that you can't get back pay after filing a new claim - you absolutely can and should! Just be persistent and make sure you get to the right department. Good luck!

I'm in a very similar situation right now - just filed a new claim yesterday but have 2 unpaid weeks from my previous claim that I'm really worried about losing. This thread has been incredibly helpful! Based on everyone's advice, I'm planning to call Monday morning at 8 AM sharp and ask specifically to be transferred to the "Payment Resolution Unit" right from the start. I've already gathered my old claim number, the exact dates of my missing weeks, and screenshots of my certification confirmations. One question for those who got their back pay successfully - did you notice any difference in how your new claim was processed while the old back pay issue was being resolved? I'm worried that having an open issue with the previous claim might somehow delay or complicate my new benefits. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - it's such a relief to know this is fixable and that other people have actually gotten their money back!