I'm at 12 weeks post-hearing and just got my decision today - APPROVED with full backpay! I can't believe it took this long but I wanted to share my experience to give hope to everyone still waiting. Like everyone else here, my judge told me "2-3 weeks" which is apparently just a scripted response at this point. The wait was absolutely brutal - I had to sell my car just to pay rent and survive. What really helped me was finding this thread around week 6 and realizing I wasn't alone in this nightmare. Reading success stories from @Theodore Nelson and @Kelsey Hawkins kept me from completely losing hope. My key takeaways: prepare for 10+ weeks minimum (the 2-3 week thing is total BS), never stop certifying weekly even when you feel like giving up, and check your online account obsessively because that's where you'll see it first. I know 12 weeks sounds terrifying but the backpay was substantial - I got every single week I certified for. To everyone still waiting: this system is completely broken but decisions ARE still coming through eventually. Hang in there and don't give up!

I'm at 3 weeks post-hearing and honestly feeling pretty overwhelmed after reading through all these experiences. My judge also gave me the "2-3 weeks" timeline that apparently means absolutely nothing. Based on what everyone's sharing here, I need to mentally prepare for potentially 2-3 MONTHS instead of weeks, which is terrifying from a financial perspective. I've been certifying weekly like everyone recommends, but the uncertainty is killing me. It's somewhat comforting to know I'm not alone in this broken system, but also scary to see how long some people have had to wait. Thank you to everyone who shared their timelines and success stories - @Theodore Nelson, @Kelsey Hawkins, and @Dylan Mitchell especially. Even though the wait times are brutal, seeing that people do eventually get approved with full backpay gives me hope to keep going. Going to follow everyone's advice about checking my online account daily and definitely not wasting time calling the main DOL number.

I'm in a very similar boat - had to quit my job at a restaurant because they kept scheduling me during my college classes even though I gave them my class schedule at the beginning of the semester. Reading through all these responses is giving me hope that I might actually have a shot at getting unemployment benefits. It's really helpful to see so many people who successfully got approved after quitting for good cause. I'm definitely going to gather all my documentation (emails with my class schedule, texts about the scheduling conflicts) and file my claim this week. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - this community has been more helpful than any official government website I've looked at!

I just wanted to add my perspective as someone who recently went through the voluntary quit adjudication process with NYS DOL. Your situation with childcare scheduling conflicts sounds very similar to what I experienced, and I was ultimately approved for benefits. The process took about 6-7 weeks total, but it was worth the wait. A few tips from my experience: 1) File your claim immediately - don't wait, as there can be delays in processing, 2) When filling out the application, use the exact phrase "good cause" and be very detailed about your attempts to resolve the issue, 3) Save everything - not just the text messages, but also any witness statements from coworkers who saw the scheduling conflicts, and 4) Be prepared for a phone interview where they'll ask for specific dates and details. The investigator assigned to my case was actually quite understanding once I explained the full situation. Don't let the fact that you resigned discourage you from filing - NYS DOL really does evaluate these cases fairly when you have proper documentation!

Just to add some clarity on the backdating rules - NYS Department of Labor typically allows backdating up to 4 weeks, but they're pretty strict about what constitutes a "valid reason" for the delay. From what I've seen, they're more likely to approve backdating if you can show you were misinformed about your eligibility or had a legitimate barrier to filing (like illness or lack of internet access). Simply trying to find work first usually isn't enough, unfortunately. That said, definitely still request it when you file - include a brief explanation of your situation and any documentation you have. The worst they can do is deny it, and you'll still get benefits moving forward. The key is to file TODAY so you don't lose any more potential weeks while you're waiting.

I'm dealing with something similar right now - lost my job 3 weeks ago and just found out about these backdating rules. From what I've been reading on the NYS DOL website, they have a form you can fill out when you initially file your claim to request backdating. The form asks you to explain why you didn't file sooner. I'm planning to mention that I wasn't aware of the strict timing requirements and thought I had more time to file. Even if they don't approve the full 3 weeks, getting even 1-2 weeks backdated would help a lot. The important thing everyone's saying is right - file immediately online so you don't lose any more time. The application process took me about 45 minutes and you can save your progress if you need to take breaks to gather documents.

I can add another data point here - I was on unemployment for almost a year and went through background checks at 3 different companies during my job search. None of them ever mentioned or asked about my unemployment benefits. The background check reports I was able to review only showed employment history verification, education confirmation, and criminal background (which was clean). Your NYS Department of Labor claim information is completely separate and protected. The only "gap" that showed up was in my employment timeline, but I just explained during interviews that I was laid off and had been job searching. Most hiring managers these days totally understand that unemployment happens and that the benefits exist for exactly this reason. Don't let this stress overshadow your interview prep - you're going to do great!

I'm currently dealing with this same anxiety! Been on NYS unemployment for 4 months and just got called for an interview next week where they mentioned doing a "thorough background screening." Reading through everyone's experiences here has been such a huge relief - I had no idea that unemployment records were protected by privacy laws. I was literally losing sleep over this thinking they'd see my claim and judge me for it. Now I can focus on preparing good answers about my employment gap instead of worrying about something that won't even show up. Thanks to everyone who shared their real experiences - this community is amazing for easing those job search fears!

@PaulineW I just went through this exact situation a few months ago and wanted to share what I learned. First, definitely check if you qualify for Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) if your job loss was related to foreign trade - it provides extended benefits and retraining. Also, New York has something called the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Employment and Training program that can provide support while you're job searching. Don't forget to look into local food banks and utility assistance programs to stretch your remaining funds further. I also discovered that some community colleges offer free job placement services and networking events even if you're not enrolled - they were surprisingly helpful for making connections in my field. The most important thing I learned is to apply for everything you might qualify for NOW, not when your benefits run out, because processing times can be weeks or months. You've got this - the fact that you're planning ahead shows you're being smart about the situation!

@PaulineW I'm about 2 weeks behind you at week 18 and this thread has been so helpful - thank you for starting this conversation! One thing I wanted to add is that I recently discovered New York has a program called the Dislocated Worker Program through WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act) that can provide extended support and even funding for retraining if you meet certain criteria. You typically qualify if you were laid off from a job you held for a substantial period or if you're unlikely to return to your previous occupation. The funding can cover tuition, books, and even some living expenses while you're in an approved training program. I'm in the process of applying now and wanted to share since several people mentioned training programs. Also, I've been using the NY.gov job search portal and found their career counseling chat feature surprisingly helpful for getting guidance on next steps. The counselors can sometimes point you toward programs or resources that aren't widely advertised. Hang in there - reading everyone's suggestions here has given me so much hope that there are more options than I originally thought!