So happy to see this got resolved! I'm dealing with something similar right now - missing two payments from my December 2024 backpay. I reported some part-time work during those weeks so sounds like the Partial Benefits Unit is exactly who I need to reach. Quick question for anyone who's been through this - when you call and ask for the Partial Benefits Unit, do they typically transfer you right away or do you have to explain the whole situation first? Just trying to be prepared so I don't waste time with the wrong department again. Thanks!

This thread is incredibly helpful! I'm in a similar boat - got my backpay approval last week but missing one payment from late January. I didn't report any income for that week though, so it might be a different issue than what others are dealing with here. Based on what everyone's shared, it sounds like I should ask for a "payment trace" specifically since there's no partial income involved. Has anyone dealt with a missing payment that WASN'T related to reported income? Just want to make sure I'm targeting the right department when I call tomorrow. Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences - this is way more useful than the generic responses I've been getting from the phone line!

One thing to keep in mind is that your part-time work might actually help your case in the long run - NYS Department of Labor looks favorably on claimants who are actively working and trying to become self-sufficient. As long as you're still available for full-time work and meeting your job search requirements, having part-time employment shows you're making an effort. Plus, you're building work history and potentially networking for future full-time opportunities. Just stay consistent with your reporting and don't let the partial benefit reduction discourage you from working.

I went through this exact same situation a few months ago! The math can be confusing at first but Connor explained it perfectly. One tip I'd add - make sure you report your earnings for the exact week you worked, not when you get paid. So if your pay period spans two certification weeks, you'll need to split the earnings accordingly. Also keep detailed records of your hours and pay stubs because occasionally NYS Department of Labor will ask for verification. The good news is once you get into the routine of reporting, it becomes pretty straightforward and the system handles all the calculations automatically.

I'm going through this exact same issue right now! Just wanted to add one more tip that helped me - if you're using a work computer or public WiFi, that might be causing some of the connection issues. I kept getting error messages at work but when I tried from my home computer on my personal internet, it worked much better. Also, make sure you don't have any VPN or security software running that might be blocking the connection to my.ny.gov. The NYS system seems pretty sensitive to anything that might look like unusual network activity. Really grateful for all the detailed advice in this thread - going to try the Chrome browser suggestion and the early morning timing that people mentioned!

I just wanted to jump in with one more suggestion that saved me after I tried everything else mentioned here! If you're still getting locked out or getting error messages even after following all the great browser and timing advice, try using an incognito/private browsing window. Sometimes regular browser sessions can have cached login attempts or cookies that interfere with the NYS system even after you think you've cleared everything. I spent two days trying to get in with my regular browser, then tried incognito mode and got in on the first attempt. Also, make sure your computer's date and time are set correctly - I know it sounds random, but government websites can be really picky about that for security reasons. The combination of incognito mode + correct system time finally got me through when nothing else worked. Hope this helps someone else avoid the frustration I went through!

I went through a similar NYS DOL hearing about 4 months ago for a misconduct disqualification appeal. Mine lasted exactly 2 hours because both my employer and I had extensive documentation and witnesses. The administrative law judge was very thorough - they asked detailed questions about company policies, my job performance history, and the specific incident that led to my termination. What really made a difference was having everything organized chronologically and being able to reference specific dates and emails quickly. The judge also asked me to walk through my version of events multiple times to make sure my story was consistent. Since you mentioned having emails and witness statements, make sure those witnesses are available to speak during the hearing if needed - the judge might want to hear from them directly. I'd definitely recommend the 3-hour block that others suggested. Also, write down a brief outline of your key points beforehand so you don't forget anything important when you're nervous. The good news is that having solid documentation usually works in your favor!

I went through a NYS DOL misconduct hearing about 8 months ago and it took almost 3 hours because my employer brought multiple witnesses and challenged every piece of evidence I presented. The administrative law judge was extremely thorough and kept asking clarifying questions about company handbook policies and specific dates. What saved me was having printed copies of all my emails organized by date in a binder - when my employer claimed certain conversations never happened, I could flip right to the documentation. Also, practice explaining your case out loud beforehand because you'll likely have to tell your story several times from different angles. The judge will want to understand not just what happened, but why your employer's version doesn't match the facts. Since you already have your documentation ready, you're in good shape. I'd definitely block off the full 3 hours like others suggested - better to have extra time than to feel rushed. One last tip: bring water and maybe a snack because these hearings can be mentally draining, especially when you're defending yourself against false accusations. You've got this!

Look I went through something similar with a former employee. You can report suspected fraud online through the NYS Department of Labor website or call their fraud hotline. They take it seriously but the investigation process is confidential. You'll never know what happened with the case unless they ask you for more information as a witness. Just make sure you have actual evidence and not just suspicions.

Just want to add that unemployment fraud investigations can take months to complete, and the NYS Department of Labor doesn't share results with reporters unless there's a court case. Also keep in mind that people can do limited work while collecting partial unemployment benefits - it's not automatically fraud if someone is working at all. The key is whether they're reporting that income properly. Make sure you understand the difference before filing a report, because false reports can have consequences too.