This reminds me of when I first started collecting unemployment and didn't understand any of the different statuses. I remember calling my mom in a panic thinking I did something wrong with my weekly claim lol. The NYS Department of Labor system has so many different status messages that don't really explain what's happening.

I've been dealing with NYS unemployment for about 8 months now and "processed pending payment" is actually a good sign - it means your weekly certification went through all the checks and got approved. Usually when I see this status it means the payment will hit my account within 1-2 business days. The delay is typically just their payment processing system catching up. If it's been more than 3 business days though, that's when I'd start to worry and try to contact them.

You should be able to request a detailed breakdown of the overpayment calculation. Sometimes these happen because of delays in processing employer wage reports, or if there was confusion about your job search activities during certain weeks. The key is to respond promptly and either set up repayment or file an appeal if you believe the determination is incorrect. They can't garnish wages or offset tax refunds until they go through proper legal procedures, which gives you time to work things out.

I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago and understand how overwhelming it feels. Here's what worked for me: First, call the overpayment unit directly (not the general unemployment line) - the number should be on your notice. If you can't get through, try calling right when they open at 8am. Second, ask for a "waiver of recovery" form if the overpayment wasn't due to fraud on your part - sometimes they'll waive collection if it was their error or due to circumstances beyond your control. Third, if you do owe the money, they're usually very reasonable about payment plans. I set up a $100/month plan and they didn't charge interest. Don't let this stress consume you - there are definitely solutions available.

I work for a local nonprofit that helps people navigate unemployment claims, and I can confirm that NYS considers transfer distance and associated costs when evaluating eligibility. The 90-mile distance you mentioned definitely falls into the "unreasonable" category. When you document your case, include not just the mileage but also the time impact - 3+ hours of daily commuting can affect your ability to maintain work-life balance and may even create safety concerns from driver fatigue. Also consider mentioning if the transfer would impact any professional development opportunities or career advancement you'd lose by leaving your current role. The state recognizes that employees shouldn't have to choose between financial hardship and keeping their job when employers make unilateral changes to working conditions.

I'm new to this community but going through a similar situation right now. My employer just told me they want to transfer me 75 miles away and I'm panicking about what to do. Reading through all these responses is so helpful - I had no idea that NYS DOL actually considers commute distance when evaluating unemployment claims. The advice about documenting everything and calculating the true costs (including car maintenance) is really smart. Does anyone know if there's a specific form or way I should submit my refusal in writing to my employer to make sure I have proper documentation for my unemployment application?

Just wanted to say hang in there! I know how stressful this is when you're counting on those benefits. The appeal process gave me so much anxiety but it worked out in the end.

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - my claim was also denied for "misconduct" when I was actually part of company-wide layoffs. It's so frustrating when you know the employer gave false information. I've been gathering all my documentation including the WARN notice our company filed and emails about the restructuring. One thing I learned is to also request your personnel file from HR if you haven't already - sometimes there are notes or memos in there that can help prove it was a layoff and not misconduct. The 30-day deadline to appeal is really important so don't wait. I'm still in the process but my lawyer friend told me that wrongful denial cases like ours have pretty good success rates at appeal hearings.

If you're having trouble getting through to NYS Department of Labor for claim status updates, I used a service called Claimyr that helped me reach an actual agent when I couldn't get through on my own. They have a website at claimyr.com and there's a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Really saved me hours of trying to call and getting busy signals.

The "processed" status is actually a really positive sign! It means NYS DOL has completed their review of your weekly certification and approved your benefits for that week. You should see the status change to "released" soon, which means the payment has been sent to your bank or debit card. The timing can vary - direct deposit is usually faster (1-2 business days after "released") while the debit card can take a bit longer. Since this is your third week and the process seems to be moving faster than your first two weeks, that's actually a good indicator that your claim is running smoothly now.