This thread has been a lifesaver! I just went through this exact same thing yesterday - been certifying weekly since February with zero issues, then suddenly the system is asking about a "break in claim" and wanting employer info that makes no sense. I was convinced I'd somehow messed up my account until I found all these comments. It's crazy how widespread this glitch is but NYSDOL still hasn't put up any official notice about it. I entered my last employer's EIN like everyone suggested, so fingers crossed my payment just gets delayed a few days instead of causing bigger problems. Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences - knowing it's not just me has reduced my stress so much!

This exact same thing just happened to me this morning! I've been certifying every week since January without any issues, then boom - suddenly I'm getting all these questions about a "break in claim" that never happened. It was asking for my return to work date and employer EIN, which made absolutely no sense since I'm still unemployed and have been consistently certifying every single week. I was totally freaking out thinking I'd somehow messed up my claim or missed something important. This thread has been such a huge relief - knowing it's a widespread system glitch and not something I did wrong. I ended up entering my last employer's information like everyone else suggested. Really hoping my payment just gets delayed a few days instead of causing any major issues with my claim. It's honestly so frustrating that NYSDOL hasn't put up any kind of official notice about this glitch on their website. Would save so many people the panic and confusion! Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences - this community thread has been way more helpful than anything on the official NYSDOL site.

Just want to add that restaurant workers sometimes have issues with tip reporting affecting their wage records. Make sure all your tips were properly reported to the NYS Department of Labor through your employer's payroll system, otherwise your base period wages might be lower than expected.

@Mei Zhang definitely file as soon as possible! I went through this same situation a few months ago and was also worried about qualifying. The earnings-based system actually works in your favor - $18,000 over 8 months is way above the $2,700 minimum. One thing to keep in mind is that you'll need to certify for benefits weekly and actively look for work. The NYS Department of Labor website has a step-by-step guide for filing your initial claim. Don't let the delay stress you too much - I know people who filed months later and still got approved. The important thing is getting started now!

The whole paper check system is so outdated!!! Why can't they just do instant transfers like every other modern system? I've been waiting 12 days for mine and still nothing. This is ridiculous in 2025.

One thing to keep in mind - if you switched payment methods mid-week or after certifying, the change might not take effect until your next certification period. Double-check in your my.ny.gov account under 'Payment Information' to make sure the paper check option is actually showing as active.

UPDATE: I finally got through to someone on the phone! The agent confirmed that my certification DID go through on their end, even though the website wasn't showing it correctly. She said they're aware of the display issue affecting some accounts and are working to fix it. My payment should process normally despite the website glitch. Such a relief! Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions.

So glad you got this resolved @Harold Oh! I've been following this thread because I'm dealing with something similar right now. My certification from Sunday isn't showing up either and I was starting to panic. Your experience gives me hope that it's just a display issue and not actually lost in the system. I'm going to try calling tomorrow morning armed with all the advice from this thread. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this community is such a lifesaver when dealing with these system glitches!

The whole partial unemployment thing is such a nightmare with NYS Department of Labor. I've been dealing with this for months and they keep changing how much they deduct from my benefits. Sometimes I think they just make it complicated on purpose to discourage people from filing claims.

I went through something similar last year with NYS Department of Labor. The key thing to remember is that you need to report your reduced hours as "part-time work" on your weekly claim, not as residual pay. Residual pay is specifically for things like final vacation payouts or severance after you've completely separated from employment. Since you're still getting some hours (even if it's just 4 per week), you're considered partially unemployed. Make sure to report those earnings exactly - don't round up or down. The system will automatically calculate your partial benefit amount. Also keep all your pay stubs as documentation in case they audit your claim later.