Don't panic! As long as you contact them and explain the account was locked, they can usually backdate your weekly claim. Just document when you tried to file and when the account got locked.

This is really helpful to know! I'm going to try calling right at 8 AM tomorrow morning. Did they ask you any specific questions to verify your identity besides your SSN? I want to make sure I have everything ready so the process goes smoothly. Also, how long did the actual unlock process take once you got through to an agent?

Wow, reading all these experiences makes me feel so much less alone in this! I submitted my reconsideration in early June too and I'm going on 11 weeks now with zero updates. Like @Dylan Campbell said, that extra $200/week really adds up - I calculated I m'already missing out on over $2000 that should rightfully be mine. The most frustrating part is not knowing if they even received everything properly. After seeing @Miguel Hernández s story'about missing documents, I m wondering'if that s happening'to more of us than we realize. I think I m going'to bite the bullet and try Claimyr this week too. @Jamal Brown definitely use that 60-day rule @Aaliyah Jackson mentioned - you re way past that'point now. And thanks for starting this thread because it s clear this is'a widespread problem that NYSDOL needs to address. The fact that so many people are waiting 3+ months for basic paperwork review is completely unacceptable.

I just wanted to add my experience to this thread since I'm dealing with the exact same frustrating situation! I submitted my reconsideration request in late May and I'm now at about 13 weeks with absolutely no updates. Like everyone else here, I've calculated that I should be getting substantially more per week based on my Q4 2024 earnings that weren't properly included in my original calculation. What really bothers me is that we're all basically doing unpaid work for NYSDOL by having to hunt down information, try different calling services, and figure out obscure rules like the 60-day expedited processing that @Aaliyah Jackson mentioned. We shouldn t'have to become experts in their internal procedures just to get what we re'legally entitled to! I m'also planning to try Claimyr after seeing @Miguel Hernández s success'story. At this point it seems like our only option to actually reach a human being who can tell us what s happening'with our cases. This whole situation has really opened my eyes to how broken the system is - 13+ weeks to review basic wage documents is completely unacceptable when people are depending on this money to survive. @Sofía Rodríguez and @Jamal Brown - definitely mention that 60-day rule when you get through! Hopefully some of us will start seeing movement on our cases soon. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences - it helps to know we re not alone in'this bureaucratic nightmare.

Great questions! From what I understand, company size doesn't directly affect the percentage rate - it's really all about that experience rating based on layoff history. A small business and large corporation with identical unemployment claim patterns would pay the same rate. However, larger companies obviously pay more in total dollars since they have more employees. As for seeing your employer's rate, that's typically confidential between the employer and NYS DOL, though some companies might share it internally. You could always ask your HR department - they might be willing to give you a general idea of where your company stands.

This reserve ratio system is fascinating - it's basically like insurance where your premiums are based on your claim history! I'm curious though, for newer businesses that don't have much history yet, how long does it typically take before they move off that starting 3.4% rate? And do seasonal businesses or industries with naturally higher turnover (like hospitality or construction) face any special considerations, or do they just end up paying higher rates due to their business model?

@Liam Fitzgerald This is brilliant advice that I wish I had known about earlier! I m'actually in a similar boat - my partner got a job offer in another state and I was dreading having to quit and lose out on benefits. The idea of approaching your employer about a potential layoff or restructuring makes so much sense, especially if you have a good working relationship with them. Companies sometimes prefer this approach too since it can be better for their records than having employees quit. Definitely going to try this approach when the time comes!

@Liam Fitzgerald This is such valuable advice! I m'dealing with a similar situation where my spouse got a job offer out of state. I was resigned to just quitting and hoping for the best, but you re'absolutely right that having an honest conversation with my employer could open up possibilities I hadn t'considered. Since I m'giving them plenty of advance notice, maybe we can work out some kind of arrangement that benefits both of us. Even if they can t'do a formal layoff, perhaps there are other creative solutions like a voluntary separation package or position elimination. It s'definitely worth exploring before I just walk away from any potential benefits. Thanks for this perspective!

@Fatima Al-Rashid This is such valuable information! I had no idea about the compelling family circumstances provision. Did you have to hire an attorney for the appeal process, or were you able to navigate it on your own? Also, when you say it took 3 months to get approved, was that 3 months from when you filed the initial claim or 3 months from when you filed the appeal? I m'trying to understand the timeline since we need to move in 6 weeks but obviously want to maximize our chances of getting benefits if possible.

@Fatima Al-Rashid This is incredibly encouraging! I had completely given up on the idea of getting benefits after reading everyone else s'responses. For your appeal, did you need any specific documentation from your husband s'new employer beyond just the job offer letter? Like proof that the position required him to relocate by a certain date? I m'also wondering if you had to establish residency in California before filing, or if you could maintain your NY claim while living out of state. The compelling family circumstances angle sounds like exactly what I need, but I want to make sure I gather all the right documentation before I submit anything. Did NYS Department of Labor give you any guidance on what would strengthen your case, or did you have to figure out the documentation requirements on your own?

This is such good advice! 211 is super underrated - they helped me find resources when I was between jobs. Community centers are clutch too, especially the ones that have job training programs. They totally get the unemployment situation and are usually really helpful about letting you use their computers for this kind of stuff.

Thanks for sharing your experience! That's really reassuring to hear it went smoothly. Did they give you much notice before the assessment? I'm wondering how much time I have to prepare and make sure everything works properly.

They usually give you about a week's notice, sometimes a bit more. You'll get the appointment letter in the mail and also an email if they have your email on file. Definitely test your setup a day or two before - nothing worse than scrambling with tech issues right before the meeting! Also make sure your phone is fully charged and maybe have a backup power source just in case.