Same thing happened to my friend last year - they wanted to change her from day shift to overnight and she couldn't do it because of her kids. She documented the whole thing and when they fired her she got approved for unemployment. The key is showing you didn't just quit.

The schedule change situation you're describing sounds like constructive dismissal - when an employer makes your working conditions so unreasonable that you're essentially forced to quit. In NY, if you can show that refusing the schedule change was reasonable (like having family obligations or other legitimate hardship), and they terminate you for it, that should qualify as involuntary separation. Just make sure to get everything in writing - ask for the schedule change demand via email, document your response explaining why it's not feasible, and keep records of the termination if it happens. This paper trail will be crucial if you need to file for benefits or appeal a denial.

I just found this thread after going through the exact same hell for the past month! I've been stuck in certification limbo with the website crashing every single time I hit submit, and I've probably called close to 100 times with nothing but busy signals or that infuriating automated hangup. The financial stress is becoming unbearable - I'm behind on rent and running out of savings while fighting with a system that seems designed to exhaust us into giving up. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been both heartbreaking (seeing how many of us are suffering through this) and incredibly helpful (finally finding actual solutions that work). I'm definitely going to try that automated phone certification number (1-888-581-5812) tomorrow at 6am, plus that button sequence strategy @Aaron shared. If those don't work, I might have to try the Claimyr service since so many people have had success with it. It's absolutely criminal that we need a whole community support network just to access benefits we've paid into and are legally entitled to. But I'm so grateful for everyone sharing their experiences and solutions - this thread is literally a lifeline when the official system completely abandons us. The fact that so many people have eventually broken through gives me hope that persistence will pay off. I'll definitely update with my results!

Just wanted to add my voice to this thread as someone who's been dealing with the exact same issues for the past 3 weeks. The NY unemployment system is completely broken right now - I've made over 90 calls with nothing but busy signals, and the website crashes every single time I try to certify. It's absolutely maddening when you're already stressed about being unemployed and then can't even access the benefits you've paid into. Thank you so much to everyone who's shared their experiences and solutions here! This thread has been like finding a treasure map when you're lost in a maze. I'm definitely going to try that automated phone certification number (1-888-581-5812) tomorrow morning at 6am, along with @Aaron's button sequence strategy (1, then 6, then 1). If those don't work, the Claimyr service seems to be the last resort that actually gets results. It's honestly disgusting that we need an entire community support network just to access basic unemployment benefits, but I'm so grateful this exists when the official system completely abandons us. Reading about everyone's eventual success gives me hope that persistence will eventually pay off. The financial anxiety is real when your safety net is broken, but we're all in this together! Will definitely update if any of these methods work for me.

Just want to add that weekends and holidays don't extend the 30-day deadline. So if day 30 falls on a Saturday, you still need to have it submitted by then, not the following Monday. NYS Department of Labor is pretty strict about this.

One thing to keep in mind is that you should also gather all your supporting documentation while you're preparing your protest. Don't wait until the last minute - start collecting pay stubs, termination letters, medical records, or whatever evidence supports your case right away. The 30-day window goes by faster than you think, especially if you need to track down paperwork from former employers or doctors.

I'm so sorry everyone is going through this! I just discovered this community while desperately searching for help with my own NYSDOL nightmare. I've been stuck for 7 weeks with benefits that just stopped coming in February - my account shows "eligibility determination pending" with zero explanation or communication. It's absolutely maddening! Reading through all these experiences has been both devastating and oddly comforting - devastating to see how many people are trapped in this broken system, but comforting to know I'm not going crazy or doing something wrong. The fact that so many February 2025 claims are affected really does point to that system update issue Andre mentioned. I'm definitely going to try that technical support line (888-209-8124, press 1 then 6) at exactly 8:00 AM tomorrow based on Amelia's timing advice and Lucas's success story. If that doesn't work, I'll look into Claimyr and contact my assembly rep. It's completely unacceptable that we have to crowdsource solutions just to access benefits we've earned, but this thread has given me more hope and actionable strategies than weeks of trying to navigate this alone. Thank you all for sharing your experiences and tips - this community is honestly more helpful than the actual unemployment office. I'll report back with any updates, and please everyone keep sharing what works. We're all in this together!

I'm so sorry to see how many people are going through this same nightmare! I just joined this community because I'm dealing with an almost identical situation - my NY unemployment benefits stopped coming in late February and I've been stuck with "claim under review" status for 5 weeks now. Like everyone else here, I've tried calling the main line dozens of times with nothing but busy signals or that frustrating new automated message. Reading through all these experiences has been both validating and heartbreaking - it's clear this is a massive systemic failure, especially affecting February 2025 claims. The fact that we all have to crowdsource solutions and share detective work just to access benefits we've earned is absolutely unacceptable. I'm definitely going to try that technical support line (888-209-8124, press 1 then 6) at exactly 8:00 AM sharp tomorrow morning based on Amelia's timing advice and Lucas's success story. If that doesn't work, I'll look into Claimyr and contact my assembly rep like others have suggested. It's ridiculous that we have to become amateur investigators just to get our own money, but this thread has given me more hope and actionable strategies than weeks of trying to navigate NYSDOL alone. Thank you all for sharing your tips and experiences - I'll definitely report back with any updates. We're all in this together and it's clear this community is way more helpful than the actual unemployment office!

been through this twice with my restaurant, honestly the NYS Department of Labor forms are pretty straightforward once you get the hang of it

Just went through this exact situation last month with my consulting firm. One key thing - make sure you respond to the Notice of Claim within the 10-day window even if you're not contesting it. I missed that deadline once and it created unnecessary complications. Also, your former employees might need a wage verification letter from you showing their earnings history - keep those pay records easily accessible. The whole process is actually less scary than it seems once you get that first notice and see what they're asking for.