That's fantastic news! So glad you got it resolved. This thread is going to be super helpful for others dealing with the same issue. The "waiting week suspension flag" explanation really cleared things up for everyone. Thanks for updating us - it's always great to hear when these problems actually get fixed!

Amazing outcome! This whole thread is like a masterclass in navigating NY unemployment issues. The fact that @Morgan Washington provided such detailed insider knowledge about the "waiting week suspension flag" was incredibly valuable. And @Anna Stewart's Claimyr recommendation seems to be a game-changer for actually getting through to agents. It's frustrating that this kind of technical glitch is so common, but at least now we know exactly what to ask for when calling. Definitely bookmarking this thread for future reference - this should be required reading for anyone dealing with NY unemployment claims!

I've been on NY unemployment for about 3 months now and can definitely confirm what everyone is saying about the Friday certification timing. The Monday/Tuesday wait is just part of the system unfortunately. One thing that's helped me is setting up a separate checking account just for unemployment that I don't touch except for specific planned expenses. When the payment hits Monday, I immediately transfer my "weekend emergency fund" for the following week to my regular account. It's basically like paying myself first for those Friday-to-Monday gaps. Also, I discovered that some Dollar General and Family Dollar stores will let you get small cash advances on debit cards (like $20-40) even when your account is low, as long as you buy something small. The fees aren't great but it's better than overdrafting when you just need to get through Sunday. The whole timing thing definitely gets easier once you accept that weekends are basically "unemployment payment dead zones" and plan your whole week around Monday deposits. Hang in there - after a few cycles it becomes totally automatic!

I've been on NY unemployment for about 9 months now and can absolutely confirm what everyone is saying about the timing - Friday certification = Monday/Tuesday payment with zero exceptions. It's one of those hard rules of the system that you just have to build your life around. One strategy that's been a lifesaver for me is what I call "unemployment budgeting backwards." Instead of thinking week to week, I plan in 7-day cycles starting from each Monday payment. So when I get paid Monday, I immediately set aside cash for the following weekend before I spend anything else. It sounds simple but it took me months to actually stick to it consistently. Also wanted to mention that if you have any credit cards with cash advance options, some will let you take small advances against expected deposits once they see your unemployment payment pattern. Obviously the interest isn't great, but for true emergencies it beats overdraft fees or going without essentials over the weekend. The learning curve is real but honestly after 9 months I barely think about it anymore - my whole financial routine just automatically operates on the Monday-payment cycle. You'll get there too, it just takes a few months to become second nature!

I've been certifying for about 10 months now and wanted to add one more perspective that might help newcomers. What I've found is that consistency matters more than finding the "perfect" time. I started out trying to optimize for the absolute fastest payment by certifying at midnight, but the stress of dealing with slow systems and potential errors wasn't worth the one day difference in payment timing. Now I certify every Sunday at exactly 8 AM like clockwork - it's become part of my routine, the system is always fast and reliable at that time, and I get paid by Wednesday which is perfectly fine for my budget planning. My advice for anyone new: pick a time that works for your schedule and stick with it rather than constantly trying different approaches. The predictability is more valuable than shaving off a day here or there on payment timing. Also, keep a simple checklist of your work search activities from the week so you're not scrambling to remember details when you're in the system.

I've been certifying for about 6 months and wanted to share a different approach that's worked well for me. Instead of trying to find the perfect time, I actually use the "test the waters" method. Every Sunday, I quickly check the login page around 12:30 AM - if it loads instantly and feels responsive, I go ahead and certify. If it's slow or laggy, I immediately close out and wait until my backup time of 8 AM Sunday. This way I get the best of both worlds - faster payment when the system is running smoothly at midnight, but I don't waste time fighting with a slow system. The key is being willing to abandon the midnight attempt quickly rather than stubbornly pushing through a bad connection. Takes literally 30 seconds to test, and if it's not working well, you haven't lost anything by waiting for morning. This has probably saved me hours of frustration over the months while still getting those early payments when the system cooperates.

I'm experiencing the exact same issue! Filed my claim 3 weeks ago, got approved, but my weekly benefit amount keeps showing $0 despite having qualifying wages from my previous job. After reading all these helpful responses, it's clear there are many potential causes - from SSN mismatches to employer wage reporting errors to incorrect certification answers. I'm going to start by uploading my W-2 and recent pay stubs through my.ny.gov portal, then double-check that I'm answering all the weekly certification questions correctly. If that doesn't resolve it within a couple weeks, I'll try visiting a local NYS Department of Labor office with all my documentation. It's frustrating but reassuring to know others have successfully resolved this issue. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and solutions!

I went through this exact same situation about 2 months ago and it was incredibly frustrating! My weekly benefit amount was stuck at $0 for almost 6 weeks despite being approved. What finally resolved it for me was discovering that my former employer had submitted my quarterly wage report with my middle initial included, but I had filed my unemployment claim without it. This tiny discrepancy was enough to prevent the system from matching my wages to my claim. I ended up having to visit the local NYS Department of Labor office with my Social Security card, driver's license, W-2, and several recent pay stubs. The representative was able to see the name mismatch immediately and corrected it in their system. Within 5 business days, my weekly benefit amount was properly calculated and I received all the back payments I was owed. If uploading documents online doesn't work, I'd definitely recommend the in-person visit - sometimes these database matching issues can only be fixed by someone with direct system access.

Just wanted to share my recent experience to give you hope! I was in almost the exact same situation - laid off from my warehouse job and waited 3 weeks thinking I'd be called back. I filed last month and got approved for backdating all 3 weeks! The key things that helped my case: 1) I had text messages from my supervisor discussing potential return dates throughout those weeks, 2) I was completely honest in my explanation about being a first-time filer who didn't understand the process, and 3) I organized all my documentation chronologically with a simple timeline. When you file, make sure to upload clear screenshots of your text conversations and write a straightforward explanation of why you delayed. Don't overthink it - just be honest about the situation. The whole review process took about 2.5 weeks, but getting those 3 weeks of benefits back was absolutely worth it. File today and don't lose hope - you have a strong case with those supervisor communications!

I'm going through this exact situation right now! Got laid off from my retail job 2 weeks ago and have been putting off filing because my manager kept saying they were "working on bringing people back." Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly helpful and honestly a huge relief. I had no idea backdating was even possible or that I should have filed immediately. I've got text messages from my manager from both weeks discussing potential return dates and asking me to "hang tight" while they figured things out. Definitely filing my claim tomorrow and requesting backdating with all this documentation. It's so frustrating that the system doesn't make it clearer that you need to file right away even if you think you might get called back. Thanks to everyone who shared their success stories - especially those who got approved for backdating. Really gives me hope that having employer communication helps your case!