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I'm currently at 3 weeks in adjudication for my layoff claim, so seeing everyone's timelines here gives me hope I'm getting close to resolution. The NYS Department of Labor really should provide better communication about where you stand in the process - that "adjudication in progress" message tells you absolutely nothing! I've learned to check only on Mondays now instead of constantly refreshing, which has definitely helped my stress levels. For anyone new to this process, definitely keep certifying each week like others mentioned - I almost stopped doing it thinking it was pointless during adjudication but thankfully read about the retroactive payments working that way. The waiting is brutal when you're already dealing with financial pressure from job loss, but it sounds like most straightforward layoff cases do eventually get approved. Hang in there everyone!
You're so right about the communication being terrible! Three weeks feels like an eternity when you're waiting for basic information about your financial lifeline. I'm at about 2 weeks myself and that Monday-only checking strategy sounds really smart - I'm going to adopt that too. It's frustrating that we all have to figure out these basic processes from each other instead of getting clear guidance from the actual department. Hopefully you'll hear something positive soon since you're right around that 3-4 week mark everyone's been mentioning!
I'm also stuck in adjudication hell right now - filed my claim 11 days ago after a company-wide layoff and it's been "adjudication in progress" the entire time. This thread has been incredibly helpful though! I had no idea about continuing to certify during adjudication or that the 3-4 week timeline was so consistent for layoff cases. I've been checking my account obsessively multiple times a day (guilty as charged!) but I'm definitely switching to that weekly Monday check strategy. It's such a relief to know I'm not alone in this process and that the retroactive payments will cover these weeks we're all waiting. The lack of communication from NYS Department of Labor is really frustrating when you're already stressed about finances, but reading everyone's success stories gives me hope. Thanks for creating this thread - it's exactly what I needed to see right now!
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I'm in a similar boat with my part-time teaching assistant position - some weeks I get called in for extra hours, other weeks barely anything. One thing I've learned is to always screenshot your online certification confirmation after you submit it each week. I had a situation where the system glitched and showed I hadn't certified for a week when I actually had, and having that screenshot saved me a lot of headache when I had to prove it later. Also, if you're ever unsure about whether you should claim for a particular week, err on the side of reporting it - it's much easier to explain why you claimed when you maybe shouldn't have than to try to get benefits reinstated for a week you didn't claim but were eligible for.
That's really smart advice about screenshotting the confirmation page! I never thought of that but it makes total sense. I've heard horror stories about people having to prove they certified when the system had glitches. And you're absolutely right about erring on the side of reporting - I'd rather have to explain why I claimed than miss out on benefits I was entitled to. Thanks for sharing your experience with the teaching assistant work - it sounds like we're dealing with very similar scheduling challenges!
This is such helpful information! I'm dealing with a very similar situation working at a local bookstore where my hours are all over the place depending on events and seasonal rushes. Some weeks I'm barely getting 12 hours, other weeks they have me working 35+ during big sales. It's reassuring to know that the NY system is actually designed to handle these fluctuations and I don't need to worry about looking suspicious when I go back and forth between claiming and not claiming. I was always stressed about whether there would be some kind of flag on my account, but it sounds like this is exactly what partial unemployment benefits are for. Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences!
I totally get the stress about looking suspicious! I work at a coffee shop and deal with the exact same thing - slow weekdays but crazy busy during events and holidays. What really helped ease my anxiety was realizing that this inconsistent schedule thing is super common in retail and service jobs, so the unemployment system has to be set up for it. I've been doing the on-and-off claiming for about 6 months now and never had any issues. The key is just being completely honest about your hours and earnings each week when you certify. It sounds like you've got the right approach!
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I was in the exact same situation last year after getting laid off from my data entry job. Applied for Medicaid while collecting unemployment and got approved within 3 weeks. The key thing that helped me was gathering all my documentation beforehand - unemployment benefit determination letter, recent payment history from my.ny.gov, and bank statements showing my benefit deposits. Also want to mention that if you have any ongoing prescriptions or medical appointments coming up, mention the urgency when you apply - they can sometimes expedite cases for people with immediate medical needs. The $420 weekly you're getting should definitely qualify you, so don't stress too much about the income part.
This is really helpful advice! I hadn't thought about gathering all the documentation beforehand. Quick question - when you mention the unemployment benefit determination letter, is that the same as the initial eligibility notice they sent when I first got approved for benefits? I want to make sure I'm bringing the right paperwork when I apply.
Yes, that's exactly right! The unemployment benefit determination letter is the same as your initial eligibility notice that shows you were approved for benefits and lists your weekly benefit amount. That document is perfect for the Medicaid application because it officially shows your UI income. You can also print out your recent payment history from the Department of Labor website if you want extra documentation, but the determination letter should be sufficient. Make sure it's the most recent one if you've had any changes to your benefit amount. Good luck with your application!
Perfect, thank you! I actually just logged into my.ny.gov account and was able to download both my determination letter and payment history easily. Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences here - it's making me feel much more confident about applying. One last thing I'm wondering about - do they usually want to see proof of the job loss too, like a termination letter from my employer, or is the unemployment documentation sufficient to show why I need coverage?
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Hey @Yuki Ito! I just dealt with this exact situation a few months ago. One thing that really helped me was treating the freelance work just like any other job when explaining it. I made sure to have the exact start and end dates, described my specific responsibilities clearly, and mentioned how I invoiced the client (weekly, monthly, per project, etc.). The key is being prepared with concrete details - they want to verify employment just like any W-2 job, so give them the same level of detail. Also, if you have any email correspondence with the client about the work scope or payment, keep those handy as backup documentation. The verification process went much smoother once I started approaching it that way! Hope this helps - you've got this! 💪
@Joshua Hellan This is exactly what I needed to hear! I was getting stressed about how to frame it, but you re'so right - treating it like any other job makes total sense. I ve'been overthinking it when really I just need to have my dates, responsibilities, and payment details ready to go. Thanks for the reassurance and practical advice! 🙏
I've been through this process a few times and here's what worked best for me: Be super organized before you make the call! I created a simple document with all my freelance work listed out - client name, exact dates, brief job description, and how I was paid. Also, don't forget to mention if you have any supporting documents like contracts, invoices, or email chains that show the work relationship. The agents really appreciate when you're prepared and can answer their questions quickly. One last thing - if possible, try to get a reference contact from your client beforehand in case they want to verify directly. Makes the whole process way smoother! 📝
Xan Dae
same thing happening to me right now... filed 2 weeks ago and still showing under review. this is so stressful when you need the money
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Mason Lopez
•I feel you on the stress! Two weeks is still within the normal timeframe though. From what I've read here and experienced myself, most claims take 2-4 weeks to process initially. The "under review" status is pretty standard - it doesn't necessarily mean there's a problem. Try to hang in there, and maybe keep checking the portal every few days for updates.
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Connor Murphy
I went through something similar a few months ago. NYS DOL will contact your employer if they need clarification about your separation, but it's not guaranteed they will. In your case, since you mentioned they cut your hours drastically, that could actually work in your favor - "constructive dismissal" where they essentially forced you out by making the job unviable. Make sure you have any documentation about the hour cuts (pay stubs, schedules, emails) because that can really help your case if they do investigate. The "under review" status is normal and can last anywhere from 1-4 weeks depending on their workload.
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Tyler Murphy
•This is really helpful information about constructive dismissal - I hadn't thought about it that way! I do have some pay stubs showing the dramatic drop in hours, and I think I still have the text messages from my manager about the schedule changes. Should I upload these documents somewhere in the system now, or wait until they ask for them? I don't want to seem like I'm overcomplicating things, but I also want to be prepared if they do contact my old employer.
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