I'm dealing with this exact same issue right now! Been trying to file for three days straight and the website keeps crashing right when I get to the employment history section. It's so demoralizing spending hours filling everything out just to get kicked back to the login screen. I'm going to try that 6 AM strategy everyone's mentioning - seems like timing really does matter with their overloaded servers. Has anyone had luck with the phone lines during specific hours, or is it just as much of a nightmare no matter when you call? Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences here, at least I know I'm not alone in this struggle.

I'm going through this nightmare too! Lost my job at a retail store three weeks ago and have been battling this broken system ever since. The website crashes constantly, and I've probably called 40+ times with no luck. What's really frustrating is that I know people who filed for unemployment in other states and it took them like 20 minutes online. Meanwhile, I'm over here treating this like a part-time job just trying to access benefits I paid into for years. Going to try that 6 AM strategy and the desktop browser tips - thanks everyone for sharing your experiences. It helps to know we're all dealing with the same broken system and it's not just me doing something wrong!

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm actually in a somewhat similar situation - I've been on partial unemployment while working part-time, and I was planning to start taking some evening classes next semester. Reading about this quarterly verification requirement has me really concerned because I had absolutely no idea it existed. The fact that @Freya Collins went through all the proper channels, reported everything correctly, and still got hit with this surprise requirement is really troubling. It makes me wonder how many other "hidden" verification programs they have that aren't clearly communicated to claimants. I'm definitely going to call NYSDOL proactively before I enroll in any classes to ask specifically about verification requirements for my situation. The terminology suggestions from this thread are super valuable - I'll make sure to ask about "quarterly verification requirements for partial unemployment recipients enrolled in education programs" and request that any special requirements be documented in my account. It's honestly shameful that we have to rely on community forums like this to understand basic program requirements that should be clearly explained by the agency itself. But I'm really grateful for everyone who shared their experiences here - this is exactly the kind of real-world advice you can't get anywhere else!

This thread is so incredibly valuable! I'm working part-time and have been considering going back to school while on partial unemployment, but after reading about this quarterly verification requirement, I'm honestly pretty nervous about it. The fact that @Freya Collins did everything right - reported her work and school status correctly, participated in all the required calls - and still got blindsided by this hidden requirement is really concerning. What bothers me most is how they can just implement these verification programs without clearly communicating them to claimants. You shouldn't have to become a detective to figure out why your benefits got cut off, especially when you're following all the rules you know about. I'm definitely going to call proactively before enrolling in any classes to ask specifically about "quarterly verification requirements for partial unemployment recipients enrolled in education programs" (thanks for that terminology!). I'll also request they document any special requirements in my account. The practical advice in this thread - the callback service, specific phone prompts, timing suggestions - is way more helpful than anything on their official website. It's unfortunate we have to rely on community forums to understand basic program requirements, but I'm really grateful for everyone who shared their experiences here. This kind of peer support makes all the difference when dealing with these bureaucratic systems!

Whatever you do, don't just ignore it. Even if you think it's wrong, you have to respond within the timeframe or you lose your right to appeal. I learned this the hard way with a different issue.

I went through this exact situation last year with a $3,200 overpayment notice. The key thing is to immediately request all the documentation they used to make their determination - you have a right to see exactly why they think you weren't eligible. In my case, they had incorrect information about my work history that my previous employer never corrected with them. I appealed, provided payroll records and W-2s, and got the whole thing dismissed. The appeal process is intimidating but it's your best shot. Also, if you do end up owing something, they usually offer payment plans rather than demanding a lump sum. Don't panic - just act quickly within that 30-day window.

I'm on week 15 of my regular UI benefits and honestly this thread has been more helpful than hours of trying to navigate the NYSDOL website! I had been getting really anxious about what happens after 26 weeks because everywhere I looked online just talked about pandemic programs that ended years ago. Reading everyone's experiences with the Extended Benefits program is such a relief - knowing that there are potentially 13 additional weeks available if you exhaust regular UI is huge. I'm in retail management and the job market has been brutal, so that extra time could make all the difference. I love all the practical tips people have shared here, especially about starting to prepare around week 24 and taking screenshots of everything in your account. The Claimyr service sounds like a game-changer too - I've tried calling NYSDOL a few times already just for other questions and it's impossible to get through. One thing I'm wondering about - has anyone had experience with EB if you've had to move during your unemployment period? I might need to relocate within NY state for family reasons, and I want to make sure that won't complicate the transition from regular UI to extended benefits. I know I'd need to update my address with NYSDOL, but hoping it wouldn't affect eligibility for the 13-week extension. Thanks to everyone for sharing such detailed experiences - you're helping way more people than you probably realize!

I'm on week 22 of my regular UI benefits and this thread has been an absolute lifesaver! Like so many others here, I had no clue that Extended Benefits were still available and was starting to panic about what would happen in a few weeks when I hit 26. The NYSDOL website is truly awful for finding this information - I spent hours going in circles trying to understand what extensions might still exist. Reading everyone's real experiences here has given me so much hope and clarity about the EB program providing up to 13 additional weeks. I'm definitely going to follow all the great advice shared here: start preparing around week 24, keep detailed screenshots of everything, continue certifying every single week during any transition period, and use that Claimyr service to actually speak with a human at NYSDOL before my regular benefits end. The stories about 1-3 week payment gaps during the EB transition are nerve-wracking but it's reassuring to know this seems to be normal and that people eventually get their backpay. I'm going to make sure I have some savings set aside just in case there's a delay. Thank you all for creating such an incredibly helpful resource - this community discussion contains more useful information than I could find anywhere on official websites. You're genuinely helping people navigate one of the most stressful parts of unemployment!

The NYS Department of Labor overpayment system is SO frustrating! They make it seem like you're automatically guilty and have to prove your innocence. I fought mine for months and they STILL took money out of my tax refund even though I thought I was following their appeal process correctly. Make sure you file that appeal paperwork exactly right!

I went through something similar last year. The key is to act fast on that appeal deadline - don't wait! When I got my overpayment notice, I immediately requested all my records from NYS DOL through their online portal. You can log into your NY.gov account and access your claim history, which will show exactly what you reported each week. Compare that against your actual work records to see where the discrepancy might be. Also, if you can't afford to pay the full amount even if you lose the appeal, they do offer payment plans. Don't panic - you have options!