I'm dealing with the exact same issue! Been trying since 5:30am and keep getting that infuriating "systems currently not available" message. This is so stressful when you're counting on these benefits to make ends meet. I'm new to New York and had no idea their unemployment system was this broken - coming from California where their site actually worked most of the time! Just tried the cellular data + incognito mode trick that everyone's mentioning and it worked on my fourth attempt! Had to completely disable WiFi, clear my browser cache, wait 30 seconds between tries, and go directly to the certification page URL. It's absolutely ridiculous that we need these elaborate workarounds just to access something we're legally entitled to, but I'm just grateful this community exists to share solutions. For anyone still stuck - don't give up! The persistence is worth it once you finally get through. And thank you to everyone sharing these tips - you're literally helping people pay their bills! 🙏

Just went through this exact same nightmare! Started trying to certify at 6am and kept getting hit with that "systems currently not available" error message. After reading through all the helpful tips in this thread, I finally got through using the cellular data + incognito mode combo around 1pm. Had to completely turn off WiFi, clear my browser cache, and wait 30 seconds between each attempt - took about 6 tries but it eventually worked! It's honestly mind-blowing that in 2025 we still need these elaborate workarounds just to access a basic government service. The fact that their system crashes like clockwork every Monday morning shows how desperately they need to upgrade their infrastructure. Really grateful for this community sharing solutions though - you all literally helped me avoid a financial crisis this week. Definitely bookmarking all these tips for the inevitable next time this happens! 🤦‍♂️

I just want to add that if you do end up filing, don't be discouraged if the online system seems overwhelming at first. I had to file after being at my job for only 8 weeks and was really stressed about navigating the NYS DOL website. What helped me was gathering all my employment documents beforehand - pay stubs from both your current and previous jobs, your Social Security card, and any documentation about the hour cuts. Also, if you're worried about the reduced hours situation, you might want to document when the cuts started and any communication from your employer about it. The system can be frustrating but your work history from your previous 2-year job should definitely help you qualify if you need to file.

I was in almost the exact same situation as you last year - started a new job and within 2 months my employer started cutting hours dramatically before eventually letting me go. The good news is that NYS unemployment eligibility is based on your work history over the entire "base period" (usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters), not just your current job. Your 2 years at your previous job should definitely help you meet the monetary requirements. When I filed, I had to provide wage information from all my employers during that period. If your hours do get cut significantly, you may even qualify for partial unemployment while still employed. I'd recommend starting to document the hour reductions now - dates, original vs. reduced schedules, any written communication from your employer about the cuts. This documentation was really helpful when I filed my claim. The NYS DOL system can be frustrating to navigate, but don't let that discourage you from applying if you need to.

I went through this exact situation last year with my photography LLC. Since you mentioned having W-2 wages from your part-time job, that's actually really important - those wages likely make you eligible for benefits even with the LLC. The key is being completely transparent about your business status when you file. I had to provide documentation showing my LLC had essentially no income and wasn't actively operating. NYS Department of Labor will want to know if you're available for work and actively seeking employment, which can be tricky if you're still technically operating the business. I'd recommend gathering all your financial records for both the LLC and your W-2 job before filing, and be prepared to explain that while you own the LLC, you're not currently generating income from it and are seeking traditional employment.

I'm dealing with a very similar situation right now - I have an LLC that I set up for consulting work, but contracts have completely disappeared over the past few months. From what I've researched, the fact that you had W-2 wages from your part-time job is actually really good news for your eligibility. NYS Department of Labor looks at your "base period" wages to determine benefits, and W-2 income definitely counts toward that. The tricky part is proving that your LLC isn't actively operating versus just being slow. I've been told by others in similar situations that you need to be very clear that you're seeking traditional W-2 employment and not just waiting for freelance work to pick up. Document everything - bank statements showing minimal business income, any steps you've taken to wind down operations, and your active job search for regular employment. The key seems to be demonstrating that you're genuinely unemployed and available for work, not just a business owner having a rough patch.

I'm experiencing the exact same delays and it's absolutely maddening. Filed my claim in late January and still stuck on "pending" with zero communication from NYS DOL. What's really concerning me is that I keep hearing different stories - some people wait 6-8 weeks, others are going on 3+ months with no resolution. The complete lack of transparency is what makes this so stressful. You can't plan or budget when you have no idea if your claim will be processed next week or next month. I've been avoiding the phone route because of the horror stories, but after reading these responses I think I need to try the assembly member approach that several people mentioned. It seems like the only way to get actual human intervention in these stuck cases. @Aisha Rahman and @Dylan Cooper, thanks for sharing the success stories - gives me hope that there might be a way forward. This system clearly wasn't designed to handle the volume they're dealing with, but leaving people in limbo for months without any updates is just cruel.

I'm in the exact same situation and it's incredibly frustrating! Filed my claim in mid-January and have been stuck on "pending" status for over 6 weeks now. What really gets me is that there's absolutely no way to get a status update or even basic information about what's causing the delay. I've been religiously doing my weekly certifications but it feels pointless when nothing is moving forward. Reading through these responses, it sounds like the assembly member route might be the most promising option since multiple people have had success with that approach. I'm definitely going to try contacting my local representative's office this week. The uncertainty is honestly the worst part - I can handle waiting if I know there's a timeline, but being completely in the dark while bills pile up is causing so much stress. Has anyone had any luck with the online chat feature, or is that just as useless as the phone system?

I had this exact same situation last month! I worked 10 hours and 45 minutes and was so confused about which bracket to choose. After reading through all the official NYSDOL documentation I could find, I went with the 11-16 hours option and it was definitely the right choice. The way I think about it now is that these brackets represent ranges, not rounding rules - if you worked ANY time that falls within the 11-16 hour range (which 10.25 hours technically does since it's over 10), then that's the bracket you select. It's counterintuitive but that's how the system works. Better to overreport slightly than underreport and risk issues later!

I just went through this exact same situation a couple weeks ago! I worked 10 hours and 18 minutes and was stressing about which bracket to choose. After calling NYSDOL (took me 2 days to get through), the representative confirmed that you absolutely must select 11-16 hours for 10.25 hours worked. She explained that the system doesn't round - it's about which range your actual time falls into. Since you exceeded 10 hours, even by 15 minutes, you're technically in the 11-16 hour range. The rep also mentioned that underreporting hours is one of the most common mistakes that triggers benefit reviews, so it's definitely worth being accurate even if it feels strange to report such a wide range for barely going over. Good luck with your certification!