I'm going through this exact same thing right now - my claim has been under review for about 10 days and I'm also really anxious about it. From what I've been reading online and hearing from others, it seems like most reviews are just routine verification processes where they double-check information with your previous employer or verify your eligibility. The waiting is definitely the worst part because they don't give you any updates or timeline. I've been continuing to file my weekly certifications as everyone recommends, and I'm trying to stay patient even though it's really hard when bills are piling up. One thing that's helped me is knowing that if the review goes in your favor, you'll get all the back pay for the weeks you certified during the review period. Hopefully both of our reviews get resolved soon!

I'm a newcomer here but dealing with the exact same situation right now - my claim has been under review for about a week and I'm really stressed about it. Reading through everyone's experiences is both reassuring and nerve-wracking at the same time. It sounds like most people do eventually get approved and receive their back pay, which gives me some hope. I've been continuing to file my weekly certifications and keeping detailed records of all my job search activities just in case they need proof later. The hardest part is definitely the lack of communication from NYS Department of Labor - they don't tell you what they're reviewing or give any timeline for when it might be resolved. I'm trying to stay patient but it's really difficult when you have bills to pay and no income coming in. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - it helps to know we're not alone in this frustrating process.

File immediately and don't overthink the terminology. Whether they called it fired, laid off, or restructuring, if you weren't terminated for misconduct (stealing, fighting, not showing up), you should qualify for benefits. The key is that you lost your job through no fault of your own.

Don't let the word "fired" scare you - what matters is the actual circumstances, not the terminology your manager used. Since they explicitly told you it was due to "restructuring" and "position elimination," that's a separation due to lack of work, which makes you eligible for unemployment benefits. The fact that they hired someone new recently might actually work in your favor if NYS Department of Labor investigates, as it shows the "restructuring" claim might not hold up. File your claim online today and be truthful about everything - report that your employer said your position was eliminated due to restructuring. You've got nothing to worry about based on what you've described.

For the original poster - if this drags on past 10 business days, definitely escalate. Sometimes pending payments get stuck in the system due to random flags or if there was any employer response to your separation that needs review. The key is getting to speak with someone who can look at your specific case rather than getting generic responses.

I'm dealing with something similar right now - filed my weekly claim on Sunday and it's been pending for 4 days. This is my first time experiencing a delay like this since I started collecting benefits 2 months ago. Reading through these responses, it sounds like anywhere from a week to 10+ days isn't unusual. Really hoping it resolves soon because I have rent due next week. The uncertainty is almost worse than the actual delay.

The whole NYS Department of Labor system is a nightmare honestly. Between the website crashes, the phone lines being jammed, and unclear instructions about what documentation they actually want, it's like they're trying to make it impossible to get benefits. At least now I know I don't have to upload every single week.

I've been dealing with the same frustrating upload issues! What finally worked for me was creating a simple table in Google Docs with my job search activities, then downloading it as a PDF. Make sure the file name doesn't have any special characters - just use something like "JobSearch_Week_01_23_2025.pdf". Also, try uploading during off-peak hours like early morning or late evening when fewer people are using the system. The servers seem less overloaded then and I've had better success getting files to actually submit.

Just wanted to add one more thing that might be helpful - if your relative does end up in this situation, they should also check if their company has any kind of retention bonus or severance package they might be entitled to. Sometimes during acquisitions, companies will offer these to long-term employees even if they're not legally required to. Also, I'd suggest they start networking and updating their resume now, just in case. With 25 years of experience, they're probably very valuable in their field, and having other options lined up can give them more confidence to reject a lowball offer if it comes to that. The unemployment benefits are definitely there as a safety net, but having multiple backup plans is always the best approach. Hopefully the new owners will recognize the value of experienced employees and not make drastic cuts!

I'm in a very similar boat right now - my company just announced they're being acquired and there are already whispers about "right-sizing" compensation packages. After reading through all these responses, I'm realizing I need to start documenting everything immediately even though nothing official has been announced yet. One thing I wanted to add that I learned from a friend who went through this - if your relative has any stock options or retirement benefits that might be affected by the acquisition, they should also get clarity on those ASAP. Sometimes the new company changes vesting schedules or benefit structures in ways that could impact their total compensation calculation for unemployment purposes. Also, if they're over 40, they might want to look into whether any age discrimination protections apply if the new company is targeting longer-term employees for pay cuts. Just another angle to consider given they've been there 25 years. Thanks for posting this question - the responses here have been incredibly helpful for my own situation too!