I went through this process about 6 months ago and it took exactly 3 weeks for my initial approval. One thing that really helped speed things up was making sure I had uploaded a clear copy of my termination letter and last paystub when I first filed - I think having complete documentation from the start prevented any delays. Also, Isabella is absolutely right about filing your weekly certifications immediately! I made the mistake of waiting and lost my first week of benefits. The good news is that once you're approved, the payments usually start flowing pretty quickly. Since you were downsized rather than fired for cause, your case should be pretty straightforward. Hang in there!

I'm going through this exact same process right now! Filed my claim 10 days ago after getting laid off and just got my approval yesterday. The waiting was absolutely nerve-wracking, especially with rent due soon. What helped me was calling the automated line (tel:1-888-209-8124) early in the morning around 8 AM - you can at least check your claim status without having to get through to a human agent. Also, I second what everyone is saying about filing your weekly certifications right away. I almost missed doing mine the first week because I thought I had to wait for approval. The system is definitely slow but it does work eventually. Since you were downsized (not fired for misconduct), your approval should be pretty straightforward once they get through the backlog.

I went through this exact situation last year! The key is getting pre-approval from NYS DOL for what they call "approved training." You need to contact them BEFORE enrolling in anything - I can't stress this enough. There's a specific form (I think it's UI-427A) that you need to submit. The program has to be related to your field or lead to employment in a high-demand occupation. Digital marketing should qualify since it's in demand. Once approved, you can attend training and still collect benefits, though you'll still need to file weekly claims. The approval process took about 3-4 weeks for me, so definitely start early if your program begins next month. Also check if your local American Job Center has similar programs - sometimes they're faster to get approved.

I actually just went through the approval process a few months ago for a UX/UI design bootcamp. The UI-427A form is available on the NYS DOL website under "Forms" but honestly it's buried pretty deep - took me forever to find it. You can also request it by calling, but good luck getting through. As for the "suitable" training question, they were pretty reasonable about it. I had a background in graphic design and they approved the UX program since it's a natural progression and high-demand field. For digital marketing coming from general marketing, you should be fine - just emphasize how it builds on your existing skills and leads to better job prospects. Pro tip: when you submit the form, include course curriculum and job placement statistics if the program has them. It shows you're serious about using the training for employment, not just killing time on unemployment.

been there done that. took night classes at SUNY while collecting benefits for almost a year. never had an issue as long as i kept applying for jobs and was honest about my availability

I was in almost the exact same situation last year! I enrolled in part-time evening classes while collecting unemployment and it worked out fine. The key things that helped me: 1) I made sure my class schedule was only evenings/weekends so I was available for work during normal business hours, 2) I kept detailed records of all my job applications and interviews to show I was actively seeking work, and 3) When I filled out my weekly certifications, I answered "yes" to being available for work since I truly was available during typical work hours. NYS Department of Labor never questioned it. Just be prepared to drop a class if you get a job offer that conflicts with your schedule - your unemployment benefits depend on you being willing to accept suitable work. Good luck with school and the job search!

Congratulations on getting it sorted out! This is such a perfect example of why the NY unemployment system is so confusing - there are these edge cases that aren't clearly explained on the website. Your situation shows exactly why sometimes you just HAVE to talk to an actual person instead of trying to figure it out online. Really glad that calling service worked for you and thanks for sharing the update. This thread will definitely help other people who find themselves in the same boat!

This is such a helpful thread! I'm in a similar situation where I'm approaching the end of my 26 weeks but still have about 6 months left in my benefit year. Reading through all the responses here, it sounds like the key thing is whether you worked during your benefit year and earned enough to qualify for a new claim. @872b58869e00 your breakdown of the three scenarios is super clear - way better than anything I've found on the official NYSDOL website. And @33c9af4fbe1c congrats on getting it resolved! It's encouraging to hear that the Claimyr service actually works since I've been dreading having to call and wait on hold for hours. One question for anyone who might know - if you do qualify for a new claim within your benefit year, does it reset your 26-week counter or do you still only get whatever weeks were remaining from your original benefit year?

Just wanted to chime in as someone who went through this exact situation about 6 months ago. I was stuck waiting for 3 weeks because two former employers hadn't responded to NYSDOL requests. What worked for me was a two-pronged approach: I contacted the HR department at the company where I had left on good terms (they responded within 48 hours), and for the other company where the relationship was more strained, I kept calling NYSDOL until I could speak with an agent who escalated the matter. The key thing I learned is that NYSDOL has different timeframes for employer responses depending on the situation, but they can absolutely make a determination without waiting indefinitely. Also, when you do contact former employers, frame it as "helping them stay compliant" rather than asking for a favor - most HR departments appreciate the heads up since non-response can sometimes lead to penalties for them too. Don't give up! The system is definitely frustrating but there are ways to move things along if you're persistent and professional about it.

As someone who just started my first unemployment claim last week, this entire discussion has been incredibly eye-opening! I had no idea that employer delays were such a common issue, or that there were so many proactive steps you could take to help move things along. The advice about contacting HR departments professionally, using services like Claimyr to actually reach NYSDOL agents, and knowing that determinations can be made after 14 business days gives me so much confidence if I run into this situation. What really stands out to me is how supportive this community is - everyone sharing their real experiences, both good and bad outcomes, and coming back to update on what actually worked. It's clear that being your own advocate is crucial in this process rather than just waiting passively. Thanks to everyone who contributed their insights, especially the HR perspective from Aisha and the follow-up success story from Zara!