This thread has been incredibly eye-opening! I'm dealing with a similar situation - my claim has been under "further investigation" for about 8 weeks now and I was starting to panic thinking I was doing something wrong. Reading everyone's strategies gives me so much hope. The fact that @Alice Pierce got a reference number and escalation just from using the right language and calling at the right time is huge! And @Melissa Lin's story about the automated fraud flag for having multiple W-2s is exactly the kind of bureaucratic nonsense that makes this whole system so maddening. I'm definitely going to try the 7:57am calling strategy tomorrow - it makes perfect sense that the reps would be less burned out early in the day. Also planning to download Form UF-5.2 and reach out to my state senator's office based on the success stories here. One quick question for those who have contacted their elected officials - did you call or email first? I want to make sure I approach this the right way to get the best response. Thank you all for sharing your experiences and creating such a helpful resource. It's awful that we all have to go through this, but at least we can help each other navigate the broken system!

I just want to say how incredibly grateful I am for this thread! I stumbled across it while desperately searching for solutions to my own unemployment nightmare. My claim has been stuck in "further investigation" for 6 weeks and I was starting to feel completely hopeless. Reading everyone's experiences and strategies has given me the first real hope I've had in months. The combination of practical tips (like the 7:57am calling trick and Form UF-5.2) with actual success stories shows that there really are ways to break through this bureaucratic wall. What strikes me most is how many of these delays seem to be caused by simple administrative issues that could be resolved quickly if anyone actually looked at the cases. @Melissa Lin's story about being flagged for "fraud" just for having two W-2s is infuriating but also shows how arbitrary these delays can be. I'm planning to implement a multi-pronged approach based on all the advice here: early morning calls asking specifically for claims examiners, submitting the UF-5.2 form, contacting both my assembly member and state senator, and being very specific about financial hardship language. Thank you all for turning what felt like an impossible situation into something with concrete action steps. I'll definitely update with my results and hopefully add another success story to help the next person who finds this thread!

I feel your pain - went through the exact same waiting week credit nightmare last year. Here's what finally worked for me after 3 weeks of frustration: 1. Try calling at 7:54am sharp (before they officially open at 8am) - sometimes you can slip into the queue early 2. Use the callback feature if available in your area - way better than sitting on hold 3. Send messages through BOTH the online portal AND email their direct unemployment inbox every single day 4. Contact your local assembly member's office - they have direct lines to unemployment and can escalate your case The key is being persistent but strategic. Don't just keep doing the same thing over and over. I also heard good things about services like Claimyr that auto-dial for you, but I managed to get through before trying that route. Hang in there - once you actually reach someone, the waiting week credit issue gets resolved pretty quickly. The hard part is just making that initial contact. Your rent situation sounds scary but don't give up - you're entitled to those benefits!

I'm dealing with the exact same waiting week credit nightmare right now! Been calling for 2+ weeks with zero luck getting through. The system won't let me certify online either - just keeps saying I need to request the credit first. So frustrating when you're already stressed about money. Reading through all these comments, I'm seeing a pattern of people recommending calling your state rep/assembly member. That seems to be the most consistent success story I'm hearing. Definitely going to try that tomorrow along with the early morning calling strategy. Also considering that Claimyr service a few people mentioned since manual calling clearly isn't working. Has anyone else had success with them recently? The video explanation someone linked actually made it seem legit - just auto-dials and connects you when someone picks up. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences. At least I know I'm not alone in this mess!

Also worth noting - if you worked any part-time or temporary jobs while collecting unemployment, make sure those are all properly reported before you stop filing. I forgot to report a one-day gig I did and it came back to bite me during an audit six months later. NYS DOL cross-references with employers so they'll eventually find unreported work. Clean slate is always better when transitioning off benefits.

One thing I learned the hard way - even though your account goes dormant when you stop filing, make sure you update your contact info if you move or change phone numbers while your benefit year is still active. I moved a few months after going back to work and when NYS DOL tried to send me some routine correspondence about my closed claim, it went to my old address. Took forever to sort out because they couldn't reach me at the old contact info. Just log into your account periodically to keep everything current even if you're not actively filing.

I'm in a very similar situation right now - got fired for what my employer is calling "insubordination" but I genuinely believed I was raising legitimate safety concerns. Reading through all these responses is really helpful, especially hearing that NYS Department of Labor actually looks at the specific circumstances rather than just automatically denying claims for insubordination. I'm planning to file my claim this week and I feel much more confident after seeing @Oliver Zimmermann's experience and others who went through the adjudication process successfully. It's reassuring to know that standing up for workplace safety doesn't automatically disqualify you from benefits. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - this community has been incredibly valuable during a really stressful time.

I've been following this discussion and wanted to add my perspective as someone who works in HR. What many people don't realize is that NYS Department of Labor specifically looks for "willful misconduct" - which means deliberate violation of reasonable workplace rules. Raising genuine safety concerns, even if your employer disagrees with you, typically doesn't meet that standard. The fact that you questioned the policy first before refusing shows you were acting in good faith. I'd recommend filing your claim immediately and being very clear about the safety aspect when you explain what happened. Document everything you can remember about the unsafe conditions and your attempts to address them through proper channels. The worst thing that can happen is they deny your initial claim, but then you can appeal with additional documentation. Don't let your employer's characterization of it as "insubordination" discourage you from applying for benefits you may legitimately deserve.

I just went through this process last month and wanted to share what worked for me. After my regular benefits ended, I discovered I had enough wages from a temporary holiday job I worked in December to qualify for a new claim. The key was understanding that NYS looks at your "alternate base period" if you don't qualify under the standard one. This uses more recent quarters and can include wages earned while you were collecting benefits. I used the online benefit calculator on the NYS DOL website first to get an estimate, then called using that Claimyr service mentioned earlier to confirm with an actual representative. It took about 3 weeks to process the new claim, but I was able to get benefits again. Make sure you have all your wage documentation ready - pay stubs, W-2s, 1099s, anything from work you did during your benefit year. Also keep certifying weekly even if you're not sure about eligibility - you can always pay back benefits if you weren't supposed to receive them, but you can't get retroactive payments if you don't certify. Good luck!

I went through something similar earlier this year and wanted to share what I learned. First, definitely check if you're eligible for Extended Benefits - these can sometimes activate without much notice when NY's unemployment rate hits certain thresholds. You'll see it in your online account if available. For filing a new claim, the key is whether you worked enough during your benefit year to meet the wage requirements. That November part-time work could definitely help! NYS uses different base periods to calculate eligibility, and wages earned while collecting benefits can count toward a new claim. I'd recommend using the benefit calculator on the NYS DOL website first to get an estimate, then try to speak with a representative to confirm. Keep certifying weekly even if you're unsure about eligibility - it's better to be safe and you can always repay if needed. The process can take a few weeks but don't give up. Also look into WIOA training programs as a potential bridge option while you sort out your benefit situation. Document everything and keep that job search log updated regardless of which path you take!