NY unemployment stalled for 5 months - need a lawyer to make them move?

My spouse has been pending since 2/25/2022. Getting so frustrated that we're thinking about hiring a lawyer to speed things up. NY unemployment seems to be dragging their feet for everyone who's waiting on payments. Maybe if they were held accountable legally they'd process claims faster? Five months of waiting is ridiculous. He tries calling every single day but hasn't reached a real person yet. We've sent multiple messages through their website portal but get absolutely nothing back. Anyone have any suggestions on what we should do next?

Helping Spanish speaking friend with NY unemployment waiting week credit issue

My coworker has been having major problems with her unemployment claim. She tried to file for benefits last month but the system told her she needed to call the 8124 number to apply for a waiting week credit before she can complete her claim. The big problem is she primarily speaks Spanish and struggles with understanding the automated phone system. I've been helping her navigate everything because the language barrier is really frustrating her. We've called multiple times but keep getting stuck in those endless phone menus or disconnected. Does anyone know if there's a Spanish option when calling or maybe a separate line for Spanish speakers? Or any tricks to actually get through to someone who can help with this waiting week credit thing? She really needs these benefits soon as she's got bills piling up.

How long does NY unemployment take to replace a lost debit card?

I misplaced my unemployment benefits debit card last week while moving apartments. I've searched everywhere and it's definitely gone. I called the bank right away to report it lost (on September 3rd) and they said they'd send a replacement. It's been 9 days now and still nothing in the mail. I'm starting to get worried because I have about $1200 sitting on that card that I really need for rent and bills. Has anyone gone through this process before? How long should I realistically expect to wait for the new card to arrive? I'm checking my mailbox obsessively every day and starting to get desperate. The customer service rep said 7-10 business days but I'm worried it might take longer with all the mail delays lately.

NY unemployment end date confusion - says May 17th but still have 58 effective days?

Kinda confused about my unemployment situation. My benefit year seems to end on May 17th according to the website, but it's also showing I have 58 effective days remaining. Does this mean my unemployment is completely finished on the 17th and I have to file a whole new claim? Or do the remaining effective days carry over somehow? The website is super unclear and I can't get anyone on the phone to explain it. Any advice appreciated!

NY unemployment partial benefits delay after working just under threshold hours

Filed for partial unemployment after working 20.75 hours over three days at the school I work at. We had closures during spring recess but I still work half days on Thursdays normally. Just discovered they mailed a verification form to my employer and now I'm freaking out. I'm leaving for a family trip for 12 days starting next Friday and worried this will delay my payments or cause problems with my ability to certify while away. Has anyone dealt with this? Does the employer verification completely halt payments until they respond? The timing couldn't be worse.

Do I need ID.me for NY unemployment if I filed over the phone?

Has anyone successfully reached a real person at ny unemployment for backpay issues?

Been trying to get my backpay from ny unemployment since October 2023 and it's now February. I got laid off from my construction job back in August and filed right away. They approved me for regular benefits but never paid the first 6 weeks I was owed. Every time I call the main number it's just automated messages or they hang up after 2 hours on hold. I've tried emailing through the portal 5 different times and never get any response except automated confirmation emails. I've sent in all the documents they asked for including pay stubs from my last job. My account shows 'pending' for those weeks but it's been months now with nothing changing. I'm about $2830 behind on rent and my landlord is threatening eviction. Anyone know a direct number to talk to an actual human being who can help? Or any way to actually get them to process backpay claims? I'm beyond frustrated at this point.

Need direct number to talk to someone about ny unemployment benefits - all lines busy for weeks

I lost my job in September due to company downsizing. Applied for unemployment in early October and got approved within 2 weeks. Everything was going smoothly - received payments for about 7 weeks. Then suddenly in December my payments stopped completely. When I log into my account it says 'pending review' but gives no reason why. I've tried calling the main unemployment number over 30 times each day for the past 3 weeks. Either get an automated message saying they're experiencing high call volume and to call back later, or I wait on hold for 2+ hours only to get disconnected. I've sent 5 messages through their online portal but received no response. I've tried calling early morning, late afternoon, different days of the week - nothing works. My rent is due next week and I'm getting desperate. Does anyone know a direct number to reach an actual person who can help? Or some trick to get through the main line? This system is beyond frustrating.

Will ny unemployment pay me for my final week if it ends on my last day?

So my unemployment benefits are scheduled to end on November 18th, which also happens to be my last day at my job. I'm wondering if I'll still get paid for this final week? I've been on unemployment since May after my tech startup downsized. My benefit amount is $504 weekly, and I've been certifying regularly every Sunday without issues. Just when I thought I was about to run out completely, I got this job that starts next month. So there's this weird timing where my benefits technically expire on the exact same day as my last certification period. Anyone know if the system will still process my final payment? I'm counting on that money to get me through until my first paycheck at the new job.

Weird email from ny unemployment about identity fraud - should I panic?

My coworker just forwarded me a concerning email from the Department of Labor that he got yesterday. It says something about identity fraud being detected on his account and they suspended his payments until he verifies his identity. Problem is, he hasn't even filed for unemployment benefits in over 2 years! He's been working full-time at our shop since 2021. The email looks kinda official with the NY state logo but has some weird formatting issues. It asks him to call some number to verify his identity and mentions potential criminal charges if someone else is using his identity to collect benefits. Has anyone dealt with something similar? I'm trying to help him figure out what to do next since he's freaking out about his social security number being stolen. Should he call the number in the email or is this just a scam?