The NYS Department of Labor system is so backwards! Why should employers even have a say in this? We pay into unemployment insurance through our paychecks but then they can just lie and try to block us from getting benefits. It's ridiculous that you have to worry about this when you're already stressed about losing your job.

Most employers don't contest unemployment claims unless they have a really good reason. It takes time and paperwork on their end too. If you were laid off due to business reasons, you should be fine. Just make sure you keep filing your weekly claims even if your case is in adjudication.

Keep filing your weekly claims even with the pending issue halt! This is important because if you stop filing, you could lose benefits for those weeks even after the issue gets resolved. The halt only affects payments, not your requirement to certify.

I went through this exact same situation about 2 months ago. The pending issue halt showed up randomly after weeks of normal payments. Turns out they were doing a routine audit of job search contacts - they called one of the employers I had listed to verify I actually applied there. The whole process took about 10 days and then my payments resumed with all the back pay included. Try checking your email (including spam folder) for any correspondence from NYS DOL, sometimes they send notices there that don't show up in the online portal right away.

NY unemployment is the WORST. I've never dealt with a more incompetent organization in my life. I started getting the "file new claim" thing after certifying for 6 weeks straight. Took me forever to get it fixed.

I'm going through something similar right now. Just certified on Sunday and usually get paid on Wednesday, but nothing showed up. When I log in, it's showing "File New Claim" but also says I certified for this week - makes absolutely no sense! I haven't received any letters or emails about a hearing though. Did you ever find out what triggered the hearing requirement? I'm worried I'm going to be stuck in this limbo for weeks like some of the others here. The inconsistency with different reps giving different answers is so frustrating.

Same boat here - my company did 'workforce reduction' but called everyone discharged on the paperwork. I filed anyway and got approved after about 2 weeks. They just needed clarification that it wasn't for misconduct.

This is such an important distinction that trips up so many people! I went through this exact same situation last year. Here's what I learned: NYS Department of Labor cares about the REASON for your separation, not the specific word your employer used. If your entire department was eliminated due to budget cuts, that's textbook "lack of work" which qualifies as a layoff for unemployment purposes. When you file your claim, there should be a section where you can explain the circumstances - be very clear that your position was eliminated along with 12 others due to budget cuts/downsizing. The adjudicator will look at the facts, not just the terminology. Don't let the word "discharged" scare you away from filing - you have every right to apply and will likely be approved once they review the actual situation.

Just to add - make sure you're answering all the questions honestly when you certify. They ask about any work you did, job refusals, if you were able and available, etc. Don't rush through it or you could end up with an adjudication issue later.

Great question! I was confused about this too when I first started. The key thing to remember is that you're certifying for a completed week (Sunday through Saturday), and you can do it any day after that week ends. I personally certify on Sunday evenings - it helps me stay organized and I can review my job search activities from the week that just ended. The NYS DOL system will show you exactly which week you're certifying for, so you don't have to worry about getting mixed up. Just make sure you don't skip a week or you might have to call them to fix it!