I just wanted to chime in with my recent experience since I literally just went through this exact same thing last week! Like everyone else here, I was completely baffled when "issue closed level 1" appeared on my claim status. I actually called the DOL (after waiting on hold for over 2 hours) because I was so confused by the wording. The representative confirmed what everyone here is saying - it means the issue that was flagging my claim has been successfully resolved at the first review level. In my case, they needed to verify my reason for leaving my last job since my employer initially reported it incorrectly. Once I saw that status change, it took exactly 3 business days for my pending certifications to switch to "paid" and the money showed up in my account. It's definitely frustrating how unclear their system messaging is, but this is absolutely good news! Your payments should start processing very soon.

I've been dealing with this exact same status for the past week and was getting so anxious about what it meant! Reading through everyone's experiences here is such a huge relief. It sounds like "issue closed level 1" is basically the system's way of saying "we reviewed your claim, found no major problems, and cleared it for payment" - they just chose the most confusing possible way to word it. I had no idea what "level 1" meant either, but it makes sense that it indicates a straightforward review that didn't need escalation. Based on what everyone is sharing, it seems like 3-6 business days is pretty typical for payments to start processing after this status appears. Thanks to everyone for sharing their timelines and experiences - this is way more helpful than anything I could find on the official DOL site!

Update us when you get this resolved! Were you able to reach someone at NYSDOL? The base period recalculation explanation sounds most likely, but it's important to confirm. Sometimes there can be multiple issues affecting your benefit amount simultaneously.

Wow, thanks for updating us @Sarah Ali! I'm so glad you got this figured out and that Claimyr service actually worked. This whole thread has been super educational - I had no idea about the base period recalculation thing. It's crazy that NYSDOL doesn't explain this better upfront. Like, they should send a clear notice saying "Your benefits are changing because we're now using different quarters to calculate your amount" instead of just... reducing it with no explanation. At least now if this happens to me or others, we'll know what to look for. Sorry you're dealing with the reduced amount but glad the mystery is solved!

Just went through this exact same situation a few months ago! The fast approval is definitely a good sign - means your employer reported everything correctly and there weren't any red flags with your claim. You should see your first payment within 2-3 business days after you certify this Sunday. Don't forget about the waiting week though - you won't get paid for your very first week of unemployment, that's just how NY does it. After that first payment hits, the timing becomes pretty predictable. One thing I wish someone told me - download the NY.gov app, it makes certifying way easier than using the website. Also keep all your work search documentation organized from day one, trust me on this! The system really has improved a lot over the past couple years.

Really glad to see a success story here! The NY unemployment system gets a lot of hate (and sometimes rightfully so) but when it works, it works. A few things that might help you moving forward: - Double-check that your direct deposit info is correct in your account settings - even a small typo can delay payments - The weekly certification window opens Sunday at 7:30am and you have until Friday to complete it, but definitely don't wait - If you're looking to get back into restaurants, now's actually a good time with spring hiring starting up - Keep your login credentials somewhere safe - getting locked out of your account is a nightmare to fix The $421 weekly benefit should give you some breathing room to find something good rather than just taking the first thing that comes along. Best of luck with the job search!

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now! Currently in Japan and need my 1099-G. Based on what everyone's shared here, it sounds like there are a few solid options: 1. **VPN route** seems most reliable for immediate access - ExpressVPN or NordVPN both mentioned as user-friendly 2. **Claimyr service** for getting through phone lines faster - several people had success 3. **Email request** as backup but expect 3-4 week delays 4. **IRS extension** if all else fails One thing I'm curious about - has anyone tried accessing the NY.gov site during different hours? Sometimes government sites have less restrictive security during off-peak times. Might be worth trying to log in during US business hours (accounting for time zone differences) before going the VPN route. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - this thread is super helpful for those of us stuck abroad!

I'm currently in Europe and just went through this exact process last week! Here's what worked for me after trying multiple approaches: **What I tried first (didn't work):** - Direct login from abroad - immediately blocked - Mobile data vs WiFi - no difference, still blocked **What actually worked:** Used NordVPN with these specific steps: 1. Downloaded NordVPN app (they have a 30-day trial) 2. Connected to a server in New York specifically 3. Cleared all browser cookies and used incognito mode 4. Went to ny.gov unemployment portal 5. Logged in normally and downloaded 1099-G instantly **Important tips:** - Don't just pick any US server - NY servers seem to work best for NY state sites - Make sure to completely close/reopen your browser after connecting to VPN - Have your login credentials ready because some sites log you out faster when detecting "new" locations The whole process took me about 15 minutes once I had the VPN set up. Way faster than waiting weeks for email responses. Just remember to disconnect the VPN when you're done to avoid any issues with other sites/banking as others mentioned. Hope this helps and you get your documents sorted quickly!

This whole system is BROKEN. I had a similar issue and spent WEEKS trying to talk to someone. When I finally got through, they admitted it was their error but still made me pay it back. New York unemployment is a joke.

Ugh, this is so stressful! I went through something similar last year. They will definitely take the full $220 unless you call them first to set up a payment plan. I learned this the hard way when they took my entire weekly payment to cover an overpayment. The key is to be proactive - call them BEFORE you certify next week. I know the phone lines are terrible, but you really need to speak to someone if you want to avoid getting hit with the full amount all at once. Document everything and be prepared to explain your financial situation if you need a payment plan. Good luck!