I went through this exact same thing a few months ago - got the fact finding notice after being on benefits for about 2 months. Turned out my former employer had finally submitted their response to NYS Department of Labor (they're supposed to do it within 10 days but many take their sweet time). The fact finding interview was actually pretty straightforward - they just wanted to confirm the details of my layoff and make sure my employer's version matched mine. The whole process took about 2-3 weeks, and my benefits continued during the investigation. Just make sure you respond to any requests promptly and keep all your documentation handy. You've got this!

I'm going through this right now too! Got my fact finding notice last week and was terrified at first. From what I've learned, it's actually pretty normal - NYS Department of Labor does these investigations regularly to make sure everything is legitimate. The key things I've been told: 1) Keep filing your weekly claims unless they specifically tell you to stop, 2) Respond to any requests immediately with complete honesty, and 3) Keep copies of everything you send them. My cousin went through this last year and said the actual interview was much less scary than she expected - they just wanted to verify the details of her job separation. Try not to stress too much (easier said than done, I know!). Most people who were legitimately let go or laid off get through the process just fine.

Been there! The waiting is the worst part but hang in there.

I went through fact-finding last year and it took about 5 weeks for my case. The NYS Department of Labor did call me once during the process to clarify some details about my separation, but mostly it was just waiting. One thing that helped me was checking my online account regularly - sometimes there would be updates in the system before I got any official notification. Also make sure you respond quickly to any requests they send you, as delays on your end can really extend the timeline. The good news is that once they make a determination, if it's in your favor, you'll get all the back payments pretty quickly.

Omg this is perfect timing - I literally just went through this last month! Just have him certify for the last week he was unemployed, reporting any partial work days. After that, just stop certifying. That's it! The system will show his claim as inactive after a few weeks of not certifying. No need to call (thank goodness because those hold times are BRUTAL). The claim stays open for a year in case he needs it again later.

Congrats to your partner on the new job! I just went through this exact situation a few months ago. Here's what worked for me: When he certifies for the week he started working, make sure he reports exactly how many days he worked and his estimated earnings. If he worked 4+ days or earned over the weekly benefit amount, he'll get $0 for that week but it creates the proper record. After that final certification, just stop certifying - no calls needed! The claim stays open for a full year so if anything happens with the new job, he can easily restart without reapplying. I was worried about overpayments too, but as long as you report that last week accurately and then stop certifying, you're totally fine. The NY system actually makes this part pretty straightforward (unlike everything else about unemployment lol).

Hey everyone! Just wanted to say thank you so much for all the detailed responses - this thread has been incredibly helpful and reassuring! 🙏 I'm feeling a lot less panicked now knowing that this withdrawal process is actually pretty common and that most people here got favorable outcomes with backpay. The 30-day timeline rule @Madeline Blaze mentioned is especially comforting to know there's actually a deadline they have to meet. I've started implementing everyone's advice: - Continuing to certify weekly ✅ - Checking both email AND physical mailbox daily now (thanks @Nia Davis!) - Started organizing all my employment docs just in case - Bookmarked claimyr.com for if I need to actually talk to someone @MoonlightSonata your experience sounds almost identical to mine and knowing you got through it successfully in 4 weeks with full backpay gives me so much hope! @Fatima Al-Hashimi your breakdown of what to expect was super helpful too - I screenshot it for reference! Will definitely update this thread once I hear back from them. Fingers crossed it's good news! Thanks again everyone for sharing your experiences and making this whole stressful process feel less isolating. This community is amazing! 💪✨

Just went through this withdrawal process myself about 3 months ago and wanted to share what I learned! The whole experience was definitely anxiety-inducing at first, but it ended up working out fine. My timeline was about 3.5 weeks from withdrawal letter to new determination. What really helped was staying organized - I created a simple spreadsheet tracking all dates, correspondence, and actions taken. A few practical tips that made a difference for me: - Set phone/email alerts to check your account at the same time daily - Take photos of all mail/documents with your phone as backup - If they request info, respond same day if possible (I submitted mine within hours) - Keep a log of all phone attempts - it helps when you finally get through to someone The uncertainty during those 3+ weeks was rough, but getting that backpay for all the weeks I was waiting made it worth hanging in there. Most withdrawals I've heard about end up being resolved in the claimant's favor - they're usually just covering their bases with extra documentation. Stay patient and keep following everyone's great advice here! This community has been such a lifesaver for navigating these bureaucratic hurdles. 🙌

The missing $1 could be a few different things - sometimes there are small administrative fees or rounding adjustments that aren't always clearly explained. I'd definitely call the NYS DOL to get the exact breakdown of your deductions. Also worth double-checking your benefit calculation - make sure your weekly benefit amount is actually $504 and not slightly less, which could account for the difference. You can find your exact benefit details in your payment history on the my.ny.gov portal.

Just wanted to add that you should also check if you have any child support or other court-ordered deductions that could be automatically taken from your unemployment benefits. The NYS DOL is required to honor these garnishments just like regular paychecks. That extra dollar could be part of a percentage-based deduction that doesn't come out to a round number. You can see all active deductions listed in your benefit payment details online.