I filed anyway last summer and got approved initially, but then NYS Department of Labor sent me an overpayment notice in October saying I wasn't eligible due to reasonable assurance. Had to pay back $2,100. Be careful about just filing without being sure.

I'm a teacher aide too and went through this exact situation last year. What really helped me was documenting everything - I kept emails, notes from meetings, and any communications about my employment status. When I filed my claim, I included all this documentation showing that while I expected to return, I hadn't received any written confirmation. The key is being completely honest about your situation when you file. NYS Department of Labor will review your case individually, and having good documentation can make the difference. Also, even if you do get approved initially, keep saving some of the money just in case there's an overpayment determination later - better to be prepared than caught off guard.

bruh i swear ny unemployment be playing games with our money 🤡

I went through the exact same thing last year! The base period calculation is honestly the most confusing part of NY unemployment. What helped me was calling the DOL directly (took forever to get through) and having them walk through my wage history quarter by quarter. They were able to explain exactly which quarters they were looking at and why certain wages weren't included. Also double check that all your employers properly reported your wages - sometimes there are delays or mistakes in their reporting that can affect your base period calculation. Don't give up, the system is complicated but there are people there who can help clarify things if you can get through to them!

I'm in almost the exact same boat right now! Missed my interview last week because I was at a doctor's appointment that ran way over. Finally got through to someone yesterday who said they'd restart my benefits, but like you, no specific timeline. Reading through these comments is both reassuring and terrifying - sounds like it could be anywhere from a few days to a month depending on luck of the draw. Really hoping we both get our payments back soon because this stress is killing me. Keep us posted on how long yours takes!

I'm dealing with this exact same nightmare right now! Missed my interview 10 days ago because my car broke down on the way there and I couldn't get through to reschedule in time. Finally spoke to an agent 3 days ago who said she'd restart my benefits, but still nothing showing up in my account. The waiting is absolutely killing me - I've got rent due in 5 days and I'm starting to panic. Reading through everyone's experiences here is both helpful and stressful because the timeline seems to be all over the place! Some people get lucky with 4-5 days, others are waiting weeks. I'm definitely going to follow the advice about calling back after 10 business days if nothing happens, and keeping detailed notes of every conversation. Has anyone had success with that Claimyr service mentioned earlier? I'm getting desperate enough to try anything at this point. Thanks for posting this @Zoe - it's weirdly comforting to know I'm not alone in this bureaucratic hell! 😭

Just wanted to add my recent experience to help with the timeline expectations! I got approved for NY back pay ($3,400) about 3 weeks ago and it took exactly 2 business days to hit my account with direct deposit through TD Bank. The key thing I learned is to keep refreshing the NY.gov payment history page - mine updated to show "Payment Issued" around 11 PM on day 2, and then the money was pending in my bank account when I woke up the next morning. No email notification at all, which is frustrating but seems to be normal. Miguel, since you got approved yesterday and have direct deposit, I'd expect you'll see movement in your payment history by tomorrow evening at the latest. The $4,800 amount shouldn't cause any delays - mine was processed as one lump sum. Fingers crossed it comes through quickly for you!

I'm in almost the exact same situation as you Miguel! Got approved for $4,200 in NY back pay on Monday and I'm anxiously waiting for it to show up. Reading through all these responses is making me feel so much better about the timeline - sounds like 2-4 business days is pretty normal with direct deposit. I've been checking my NY.gov payment history like every hour but nothing yet. It's crazy how they don't send any notifications, you just have to keep checking everything manually. Really hoping we both see our payments hit soon! This thread is going to be so helpful for other people going through the same thing. The waiting is definitely the worst part when you're behind on bills.

I went through the exact same confusion when I first started collecting benefits! My mom kept asking me about my "unemployment card" and I was panicking thinking I'd missed some crucial step in the application process. Turns out she was remembering the old paper voucher system from decades ago. The NYS Department of Labor has really modernized everything - now it's all handled through your my.ny.gov online account. Just keep filing your weekly certifications on time and you're doing everything right. The digital system is actually so much more convenient than the old mail-in system once you get used to it!

I had this exact same confusion when I first started my claim! My dad kept asking where my "unemployment card" was and I spent days worrying I'd missed something crucial in the application process. Turns out he was thinking of the old paper system from way back. The NYS Department of Labor really has streamlined everything through the my.ny.gov portal now. As long as you're filing your weekly certifications and receiving your payments (either direct deposit or the optional KeyBank debit card), you're doing everything correctly. No physical cards or documents needed! It's actually much more secure and convenient than the old mail-in voucher system.