Yeah I remember when I first filed it was so confusing! Make sure you answer all the questions honestly, especially about why you lost your job. If you were laid off due to lack of work, that's usually straightforward. But if there were any performance issues or anything like that, be prepared for them to ask follow up questions.

I went through this same process about 6 months ago and it's definitely overwhelming at first! One tip that really helped me - before you start the online application, gather all your documents in one place. You'll want your Social Security card, driver's license, and if you have them, your last few pay stubs and any separation paperwork from your employer. Even if you don't have everything perfect, don't let that stop you from filing. The system is pretty user-friendly once you get started, and you can always update information later if needed. The most important thing is to get that initial claim filed as soon as possible!

I'm dealing with the exact same frustration! Been trying to reach NY unemployment for almost 3 weeks now and it's like they don't want us to get through. My claim has been "pending review" since early February and every time I call, I either get disconnected after waiting for hours or the system just hangs up on me completely. It's ridiculous that we have to jump through so many hoops just to talk to someone about our own benefits. Reading through everyone's experiences here, it sounds like this is a widespread problem and not just bad luck on my part. I'm going to try some of the suggestions mentioned - the early morning calling trick and maybe that Claimyr service if I get desperate enough. Has anyone had any luck with reaching out to local elected officials? I'm wondering if that's worth trying too.

I just went through this exact same nightmare last month! After reading all these comments, I wanted to share what finally worked for me. I tried the early morning calling (7:58am) trick that @Aisha mentioned for about a week straight with no luck. Then I combined it with calling the alternative number @Tyrone suggested (888-209-8124) AND selecting the Spanish option first. Even though I don't speak Spanish, when I got connected I just said "English please" and they transferred me to a bilingual agent. The whole process took about 45 minutes total wait time. The agent explained that my claim was also stuck in that new January verification system - apparently thousands of claims are backed up because of this policy change. She was able to clear it immediately and I got my benefits deposited 2 days later. Don't give up! The system is definitely broken but there are ways around it if you keep trying different approaches.

Wait I'm confused about something - if you appeal and lose, can you appeal again? Or is that it? Also do you have to keep filing weekly claims while the appeal is processing?

I went through this same situation with NYS Department of Labor about 8 months ago. Definitely appeal - you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. The 30-day deadline is firm, so don't wait. I filed my appeal online through my.ny.gov which was pretty straightforward. The hearing was conducted over the phone and lasted about 20 minutes. The hearing officer asked me to walk through exactly what happened when I was laid off, and I had my layoff notice and final paycheck stub ready to reference specific dates. My former employer didn't even participate in the hearing, which apparently happens a lot. I won my appeal and got about 6 weeks of back payments. The whole process took about 2 months from filing the appeal to getting my first check. Don't let them intimidate you - if you were truly laid off due to business reasons, you deserve those benefits.

Just keep filing those weekly claims like the other person said. That's the most important thing - don't skip any weeks or you'll lose those payments even when you do get approved.

I filed my claim about 3 weeks ago and just got my first payment yesterday, so hang in there! The waiting is definitely stressful especially when you're behind on bills. Make sure you're doing your weekly certifications religiously - that was the biggest thing that helped me get everything backdated once it was approved. Also check your online account daily for any messages or requests for additional info, because responding quickly to those can prevent delays. Since you mentioned it was a straightforward layoff, you should hopefully avoid the adjudication process that can really drag things out.

Just want to add that you should also check if your employer offers any severance package - sometimes that can affect when you're eligible to start collecting unemployment benefits. Also, make sure you have all your wage information ready when you file. NYS Department of Labor will need details about your earnings for the past 18 months, so gather up your pay stubs or W-2s beforehand. The whole process goes much smoother when you have everything organized.

I've been through this process recently and want to share some additional tips. First, regarding the tax question that came up - unemployment benefits are considered taxable income, so you can either have taxes withheld automatically (10% federal) or pay them when you file your return. Second, for calculating your benefits, NYS Department of Labor looks at your "base period" which is typically the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you file. So if you file in January 2025, they'd look at your earnings from January-December 2024. This is why job changes can affect your benefit amount - if you had lower earnings in that specific timeframe, it impacts your weekly benefit rate. Also, once you're approved, you have to certify for benefits every week and show that you're actively looking for work. Keep track of your job search activities because they can audit this. The whole process can take 2-4 weeks from filing to receiving your first payment, so don't wait to apply once you're laid off.