side question but does anyone know if we get backpay if benefits are delayed? mine have been pending for 3 weeks now 😫

Just went through this exact situation last month! I had orientation on a Wednesday (4 hours) and was so confused about how to answer. I called the NYSDOL hotline (took forever to get through) and they confirmed that ANY work, even orientation or training, means you answer YES to "returned to work." The good news is you'll still get partial benefits for that week since you only worked 1 day. Just make sure to report the exact amount you earned during that hour too - even if it was just minimum wage for paperwork time. The system automatically calculates your partial benefit amount. Keep certifying weekly until you're working your regular full-time schedule. Don't stress too much about it - as long as you're honest with your reporting, you'll be fine!

Thanks for asking this question! I was wondering the same thing but was too embarrassed to ask. The unemployment system has so many acronyms and requirements that aren't explained clearly anywhere.

I totally understand the confusion with MWA requirements! When I first started filing, I made the mistake of not keeping proper documentation and it came back to bite me during an audit. Here's what I've learned works best: create a simple spreadsheet with columns for date, activity type (job application, networking, training, etc.), company/organization name, contact info, and any reference numbers. For the MWA name field, use the specific employer name for applications, the event name for job fairs, or the course title for training programs. Also, don't forget that informational interviews and career counseling sessions count too - I wish someone had told me that earlier since those are sometimes easier to arrange than finding new job postings every week.

I've been lurking on this thread for weeks and finally had success today! Called at 4:23pm using the main number, pressed 2 then 3, and got through after 14 minutes. What made the difference was having EVERYTHING ready beforehand - my PIN, SSN, pay stubs from all three of my previous jobs, bank routing info, and a written list of specific questions. The agent was incredibly helpful and discovered that my claim had multiple issues: a name mismatch (I had been using "Alex" but my legal name is "Alexander" in their system), missing wages from one employer, and an old address that hadn't been updated. She fixed everything in one 25-minute call and said my payments should process within 3-5 business days. One tip the agent shared: if you've been waiting more than 4 weeks for any payment, there's definitely something in your file that needs manual review. The automated system won't fix these issues on its own, so calling is essential. To everyone still struggling - this community's strategies really work! The afternoon timing window (4:15-5:00pm) seems to be consistently effective, and having all your documentation organized beforehand is crucial. The system is absolutely broken, but persistence and preparation will get you through. Don't give up!

I've been following this thread religiously and finally tried the strategies today - SUCCESS! Called at 4:19pm using the main number, pressed 2 then 3, and got through after only 16 minutes on hold. The agent was amazing and fixed a wage base period issue that had been causing my weekly benefit amount to be calculated incorrectly for the past 2 months. Here's what I learned that might help others: If you're getting a benefit amount that seems too low compared to your previous salary, it's often because they're missing quarters of wages or using the wrong base period. The agent was able to pull up my employment history and immediately saw that one of my employers hadn't reported my wages correctly. She fixed it on the spot and my weekly benefit amount increased by $180! Also, she mentioned that if you quit a job for "good cause" (like unsafe working conditions or harassment), make sure you have documentation ready when you call. Many people don't realize they can still qualify for benefits if they quit for legitimate reasons, but you need to provide proof. The preparation advice from everyone here was spot on - I had all my pay stubs, employer info, and questions written down before calling. Made the whole process so much smoother. To anyone still struggling: the afternoon timing window (4:15-5:00pm) is absolutely the key, and don't give up after a few tries. This community has cracked the code on an impossible system. You've got this!

I'm currently at day 9 of waiting and this thread has been absolutely amazing for my mental health! I was starting to convince myself that I'd somehow screwed up my application or that my former employer had said something terrible about me. The complete radio silence from NYS DOL combined with just seeing "pending" every day was making me spiral. Reading all of your experiences - especially learning that 2-6 weeks is actually normal and that employer verification/fact-finding are routine parts of the process - has been such a huge relief. It's honestly criminal that NYS DOL doesn't explain any of this upfront. They could prevent so much anxiety by just saying "your claim is now in adjudication, which typically takes 4-6 weeks while we verify information with your employer." Instead we're all left here figuring it out together! I'm definitely going to try the 8am calling strategy that everyone keeps mentioning. Thank you to everyone who's shared their timelines and updates - you've created the transparency and support that the system should have provided from day one. For anyone else in those first couple weeks and panicking like I was, this thread is proof that "pending" is completely normal and we're all going through the exact same thing!

I'm at day 13 of waiting and this thread has been an absolute lifeline! Like everyone else here, I was starting to panic that my claim had been denied or lost somewhere in the system. The "pending" status with zero communication from NYS DOL is honestly torture when you're relying on this income. Reading through all of your experiences has taught me more about the unemployment process than the actual NYS DOL website ever did! Learning that employer verification and fact-finding are normal parts of adjudication that can take 4-6 weeks has been such a relief. It's incredibly frustrating that they don't explain any of this upfront - a simple message saying "your claim is now under review, typical processing time is 4-6 weeks" would save so much anxiety. I'm definitely going to try the 8am calling strategy that everyone swears by. Thank you to everyone who's shared their timelines and outcomes here - you've created the transparency and support system that NYS DOL should have provided from day one. For anyone else in those early weeks of waiting and spiraling, this thread is proof that "pending" doesn't mean denied, just that the system moves at a glacial pace!

The whole system is so confusing!! I went through something similar and it took me weeks to figure out which office to call. Workers comp ended up taking care of everything though once I got the ball rolling. Don't let your employer stall you - you have rights and they know it.

@Javier Cruz - I went through a similar work injury situation a few years ago. Don't let your employer drag their feet on this! You have 30 days from the date of injury to file a workers comp claim, but the sooner the better. If your supervisor isn't being helpful, go directly to HR or whoever handles workers comp at your company. You can also call the Workers' Compensation Board directly at 1-877-632-4996 - they'll walk you through the process and make sure you get the forms you need. The weekly benefits usually cover about 2/3 of your wages while you're recovering, which is way better than what unemployment would give you. Hang in there!