I'm going through something similar right now - filed in June, approved, but only got 3 payments before everything just stopped. It's incredibly frustrating because like you, I keep certifying every week but my account just shows "pending" with zero explanation. One thing I discovered is that you can also try reaching out through their Twitter account @nylabor - they sometimes respond faster there than through phone calls. I sent them a DM with my claim details and got a response within 48 hours (though they just told me to keep waiting, at least it was acknowledgment). Also, if you have any documentation from your previous employer about your termination/layoff, make sure you have copies ready. Sometimes they request this stuff randomly during reviews and having it ready can speed things up. Hang in there - from what I'm reading here it seems like most people eventually get their payments, it's just a matter of persistence. The system is clearly broken but we have to work within it unfortunately.

I'm dealing with almost the exact same situation! Filed in late June, got approved with a $520 weekly benefit, but haven't seen a penny since August. It's now been 10 weeks of certifying with nothing but "pending" status. What's really helped me so far is documenting EVERYTHING - screenshots of my account status, dates I called, any emails or messages. I started a spreadsheet to track it all because I have a feeling I'll need this documentation later. Also, try calling the technical support line instead of the regular claims line sometimes - the number is 888-581-5812. I've had slightly better luck getting through there, and they can at least confirm if there are any technical issues with your account. One thing that's kept me sane through this process is remembering that once it gets resolved, you should receive all the back payments for every week you properly certified. So even though it's financially devastating right now, the money is technically accumulating. Doesn't help with immediate bills though... Keep pushing - from reading everyone's responses here it seems like persistence is really the only way through this broken system.

I actually just went through this process about 3 months ago when I moved from NYC to my parents' place in New Jersey. The most important thing is definitely calling NYS Department of Labor BEFORE you move - I learned this the hard way when my first payment got held up because I updated my address online without talking to anyone first. When I finally got through to them (took about 2 hours of calling), they were actually pretty understanding about the situation. They told me as long as I could demonstrate I was actively looking for work and would be available to return to NY for suitable employment, I could continue receiving benefits. The tricky part is the job search requirements - you still need to do your 3 work search activities per week, and they expect at least some of those to be for positions you could realistically take if offered. I've been mixing remote jobs, NJ local positions, and some NY-based remote roles to cover my bases. My benefits amount stayed exactly the same, and I've had no issues with my weekly certifications. Just make sure you document everything and keep detailed records of your job search activities in case they ever audit your claim.

I'm in a really similar situation - been on unemployment for about 6 weeks after getting laid off from my job in Buffalo, and I'm considering moving back home to Pennsylvania to stay with my parents while I get back on my feet. Reading through everyone's experiences here is super helpful, especially the advice about calling NYS Department of Labor BEFORE making the move. I had no idea that was so important - I was just going to update my address online and figure it out later. Does anyone know if there's a best time of day to call them to actually get through? I've tried calling a few times about other issues and could never get past the automated system. Also wondering if the process is any different for people who are moving to stay with family versus those who are moving for other reasons - do they ask about your living situation or is it more just about confirming you'll still be available for work?

I'm in a similar situation and just wanted to share what I learned from calling the DOL directly. They told me to definitely check if you qualify for a new benefit year first - log into your NY.gov account and look at your monetary determination. If you worked enough hours and earned enough wages since your original claim started, you might be eligible for a fresh 26 weeks. Also, while you're figuring this out, make sure to apply for other assistance programs ASAP - SNAP, emergency rental assistance, utility help through HEAP, etc. The wait times for some of these programs can be long so get your applications in now. Don't let pride stop you from getting help while you're still job searching!

Check your online account ASAP to see if you can file a new claim! I was in the exact same situation last month - hit my 26 weeks and panicked. Turns out I had worked enough part-time hours during my original claim period to qualify for a brand new benefit year. The system doesn't automatically tell you this, you have to manually check. Log into your NY.gov account, look at your wage history, and if you see enough recent wages you can file a completely new claim. Also, don't wait on applying for SNAP and other programs - I made that mistake and it took 3 weeks to get approved. The gap between benefits ending and new assistance starting is brutal so get those applications in immediately. You've got this!

One thing to keep in mind is that your benefit amount will also depend on when you earned that $65k - they look at your "base period" which is typically the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you file. So if you file now, they'd look at your earnings from roughly Q1 2024 through Q4 2024. If you had periods of lower earnings or gaps in employment during that time, it could affect your weekly benefit amount even if your most recent salary was $65k.

Just wanted to add that you should file as soon as possible since there's usually a one-week waiting period before you start receiving benefits. Also, make sure you have all your employment records ready - they'll need your W-2s or pay stubs from the base period to verify your earnings. The sooner you get everything submitted correctly, the faster they can process your claim and calculate your exact weekly benefit amount. Good luck with your job search!

Hey Drew! I just went through this same thing a few weeks ago. The nerves are totally normal - I was sweating bullets beforehand 😅 One thing I wish I'd known: have your bank account info ready in case they need it for direct deposit setup. Also, if you've been doing any freelance or gig work (even just a few hours), be upfront about it. They appreciate honesty and it won't necessarily disqualify you. The virtual format is actually nice because you can have your notes right there on your computer screen. Just don't make it obvious you're reading from them lol. You got this! The people I dealt with were way more understanding than I expected. Let us know how it goes! 🤞

Drew, you're gonna do great! I had my virtual meeting about 6 months ago and it was way less intimidating than I built it up to be in my head. A couple things that really helped me: • Test your camera/mic beforehand - do a quick video call with a friend or family member to make sure everything works • Have a glass of water nearby (talking for 30+ minutes can make your mouth dry) • If you get disconnected, don't panic! They'll usually call you right back or you can rejoin the meeting The agent I spoke with was actually really patient and walked me through everything step by step. They know people are stressed about this stuff, so they're used to answering lots of questions. One last thing - write down the agent's name and any reference numbers they give you. Super helpful if you need to follow up later. Good luck on Friday! 🍀