Just file online ASAP. Don't beat yourself up about it, lots of people make the same mistake thinking they'll find work fast. At least you can still get benefits going forward.

Don't feel too bad about waiting - it shows you were trying to be responsible and find work on your own first. While you can't get those 6 weeks back, you can still file now and start receiving benefits going forward. The online application is pretty straightforward, just make sure you have your employer information and dates ready. And definitely start filing weekly claims as soon as your initial application is processed. Better late than never!

I'm going through something similar right now - 6 weeks waiting with an "approved" status but no payments. What finally helped me make progress was filing a complaint with the NYS Department of Labor's Office of Special Investigations (not just regular customer service). You can find the complaint form on their website under "Report Fraud or Abuse." Even though it's not fraud, they seem to take these complaints more seriously and actually follow up. I got a callback within 3 days and they're now "expediting" my case. Also document everything - save screenshots of your claim status, keep records of all your calls and reference numbers. If you do end up needing legal help later, having that paper trail will be crucial.

I went through this exact same situation last year - 9 weeks of "approved" status with zero payments. What finally worked for me was escalating through my state senator's office (not assembly) AND filing a formal complaint with the NYS Department of Labor's Office of Special Investigations like @Connor O'Brien mentioned. The key is doing both simultaneously - the political pressure plus the formal complaint seems to actually get attention. I also started documenting everything in a spreadsheet with dates, times, reference numbers, and took screenshots daily of my claim status. When I finally got through to someone who could actually help, having all that documentation made the difference. Got all my back pay within 2 weeks once the right person looked at my case. Don't give up - the system is broken but there are ways to navigate it if you're persistent and strategic about it.

The maximum amount payable is essentially your "unemployment insurance account balance" for the benefit year. Think of it like a savings account that gets $625 deposited each week you're eligible, but once you've withdrawn all $16,250, that's it for regular benefits. A few important points to keep in mind: - Your benefit year runs for 52 weeks from when you filed, but you can only collect benefits for a maximum of 26 weeks within that period - If you earn money from part-time work, your weekly benefit will be reduced dollar-for-dollar after the first $143 you earn, but this can help stretch your benefits longer - Extensions like Extended Benefits (EB) are separate programs that kick in only when unemployment rates are high enough in NY - they're not guaranteed - If you move to another state, you may need to transfer your claim, but your maximum amount stays the same My advice: treat those 26 weeks as your safety net while you actively job search. Don't count on extensions being available. The job market can be tough, but starting your search immediately gives you the best chance of finding something before your benefits run out. Also, make sure you're meeting the work search requirements each week - usually 3 work search activities per week in NY. Document everything!

The maximum amount payable is basically your total benefit "allowance" for the entire benefit year. In your case, $16,250 ÷ $625 = exactly 26 weeks of full benefits. Here's what I learned when I was in your shoes last year: **The key things to understand:** - This is your total pot of money for 52 weeks, but you can only collect for 26 weeks max - Once you hit $16,250 total collected, regular benefits stop - Extensions (like EB) are rare and only happen when state unemployment rates are very high **Pro tips from my experience:** - Set up a simple spreadsheet to track your remaining balance after each payment - If you do any gig work or part-time jobs, report the income - they'll reduce your weekly benefit but it stretches your total benefits longer - Start job searching aggressively from week 1, don't wait until you're close to running out **About extensions:** They're not automatic and not guaranteed. Extended Benefits only activate when NY's unemployment rate hits specific thresholds for consecutive periods. Don't bank on them being available. The reality is that 26 weeks goes by faster than you think, especially if you're being picky about jobs (which is understandable). Use this time wisely - network, upskill, and cast a wide net. Good luck!

I'm going through this exact same thing right now! Missed my interview 6 days ago because I had to rush my kid to urgent care with a high fever. Finally got through to someone yesterday who was really understanding and said they'd reactivate my benefits, but no timeline given. Reading all these comments is both reassuring and nerve-wracking - sounds like it could be anywhere from a few more days to several weeks! The inconsistency is wild. I'm definitely taking everyone's advice about keeping detailed notes and following up if nothing happens by next week. The stress of waiting while bills pile up is brutal, but it helps so much to know others have been through this and eventually got their payments restored. Thanks for posting this question - sometimes you just need to know you're not alone in dealing with this broken system! 🙏

I just went through this exact same situation about a month ago! Missed my interview because I was dealing with a family emergency (my grandmother was in the hospital). The waiting period was absolutely nerve-wracking, but I wanted to share my timeline to hopefully help ease some of your anxiety. I called them the day after I missed the appointment and spoke to an agent who said she'd restart my benefits. It ended up taking exactly 11 days from that phone call until I saw the payment hit my account. During those 11 days, I was checking my account obsessively and calling back twice just to make sure nothing had gotten lost in the system. The second time I called (around day 8), the agent confirmed everything was still processing and told me to be patient. On day 11, boom - I got a deposit for all the back pay I was owed. My advice: keep certifying every single week (this is crucial!), give it at least 10-14 business days before panicking, and don't hesitate to call back once to confirm they actually processed everything. The system is definitely broken and slow, but most people do eventually get their money. Hang in there!

After many failed attempts I finally had success with claimyr.com - they got me connected with a live agent who helped fix my claim. It was worth every penny to finally get my backpay released. Highly recommend if you're desperate like I was.

I'm in the EXACT same boat - filed in January after getting laid off and my certifications keep getting stuck in some kind of limbo. The automated phone system is absolutely maddening! I've been calling multiple times a day for two weeks now and haven't spoken to a single human being. It's honestly making me question my sanity at this point. Reading through all these comments is both helpful and depressing - at least I know I'm not alone in this nightmare. Going to try the Tuesday 10:30am timing and that exact button sequence someone mentioned. Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences and tips here, even if the system itself is completely broken. Hang in there Isabella - we'll figure this out somehow! 💪