Pro tip: if you're in NYC, reach out to your city council member's office. My rate reconsideration was stuck for months, then my council member's office reached out on my behalf and it was fixed in 10 days. They have special contacts at NYSDOL.

Ugh this is so frustrating but unfortunately totally normal right now. I'm in the exact same boat - submitted my reconsideration docs in September and still waiting. The worst part is knowing they have everything they need but just... aren't processing it. I've been documenting every attempt to contact them and sending follow-up messages through the portal every few weeks just to create a paper trail. One thing that helped me was finding out you can sometimes get through if you call the Spanish line and explain you need English help - they've been more responsive for some reason. Also seconding what others said about contacting your local representatives. I'm planning to reach out to mine next week if I don't hear anything soon. This whole system feels designed to make us give up but we can't let them win! Keep pushing and definitely keep certifying every week so you get that backpay when it finally goes through.

Just went through this same process last month! One tip that helped me - after you reopen your claim, make sure to take screenshots of your confirmation page and any reference numbers they give you. The system sometimes glitches and doesn't save the reopening properly, so having that documentation saved me when I had to call customer service. Also, if you don't see the weekly certification option appear right away, give it 24-48 hours before panicking - their system updates aren't always instant.

Another thing to keep in mind - if you worked part-time while collecting benefits before, make sure you report ALL your earnings when you reopen, even if it seems like small amounts. I made the mistake of not reporting some freelance work I did thinking it wouldn't matter, and it caused a huge headache later with overpayment issues. The NYS Department of Labor is really strict about this stuff. Also, if you have any saved correspondence from your previous claim (emails, letters, etc.), keep those handy in case they ask for documentation during the reopening process.

ugh the whole system is so frustrating!! why should we have to stay in toxic jobs just to qualify for benefits we paid into?? makes no sense

I totally understand your frustration - toxic work environments are awful and it feels like you're trapped between staying miserable or losing benefits. Here's what I learned when I was in a similar spot: NYS Department of Labor does allow you to quit and still get unemployment if you can prove "good cause." This includes things like harassment, unsafe working conditions, significant changes to your job duties/pay, or a hostile work environment. The key is having solid documentation - save emails, write down incidents with dates/times, get witness contact info if possible. You don't need to get yourself fired (which is risky). Instead, consider filing complaints with HR first (creates a paper trail), then if things don't improve, you may be able to quit for good cause. Document your attempts to resolve the situation too. It's worth consulting with an employment lawyer for a free consultation if the situation is really bad.

The whole system is set up to screw workers over! They make it nearly impossible to quit an abusive job and still get benefits. Meanwhile employers can fire you for any reason and you get benefits no questions asked. Makes no sense.

Have you considered documenting the hostile work environment through a work journal? I kept detailed daily notes when I was dealing with a similar situation - dates, times, witnesses present, exact quotes when possible. Also, if your manager is cutting your hours significantly, that could potentially qualify as "constructive dismissal" since it's affecting your ability to earn a living. You might want to check if your state has any worker protection agencies that could advise you before you make the decision to quit. Sometimes having an official complaint on file can strengthen your unemployment case later.

Just wanted to say I filed unemployment after being laid off and my old boss actually reached out a few months later when they had an opening. The unemployment claim had zero impact on our relationship. If anything, it showed I was being responsible about my finances during the gap.

Emma, you're overthinking this! Filing for unemployment when you're laid off is exactly what the system is designed for. Your employer already pays unemployment insurance taxes as part of doing business - think of it like any other insurance policy they carry. When you file a legitimate claim after being laid off, you're not "doing anything" to your employer, you're just accessing benefits you're entitled to. In fact, most employers in retail expect their laid-off employees to file for unemployment benefits during slow periods. It sounds like your manager understood the situation was temporary due to budget constraints, so they'll likely view your filing as completely normal and reasonable. Don't let worry about your employer's feelings prevent you from getting the financial support you need right now.