Just to add - make sure you understand the difference between state unemployment and federal unemployment taxes too. Even if you don't pay state unemployment on yourself, you still might have other tax obligations depending on your business structure and income level.

Great point about federal vs state taxes! As someone who just went through setting up my own LLC last year, I learned this the hard way. Even though I don't pay state unemployment on myself as a single-member LLC, I still had to deal with federal self-employment taxes and quarterly estimated payments. The IRS and NYS Department of Labor have completely different requirements, which adds another layer of confusion. Definitely recommend talking to a tax professional early on to avoid surprises at tax time.

This exact thing happen to me and there was a ERROR in there system. When I finally got through to an agent (used claimyr.com) they fixed it on the spot. Turns out my employer reported my wages but they weren't showing up right in the system. Don't give up!!

Have you tried requesting your wage and benefit statement directly from the unemployment office? Sometimes there are discrepancies between what your employer reported and what shows up in their system. I had a similar issue where my wages weren't properly credited to the right quarters, and it took getting an actual person on the phone to manually review and correct it. Also, make sure they're considering ALL your employment - if you had multiple jobs or worked in different states, sometimes those wages don't get automatically included. The processing status probably means they're still reviewing your case, so don't lose hope yet!

UPDATE: I finally got through!!! I tried calling right at 8am like suggested but still couldn't get through. Then I tried that Claimyr service someone mentioned here and got connected to an agent within 15 minutes. The agent was super helpful and said my account was flagged because I had accidentally entered my apartment number differently on two forms (I put "3B" on one and "Apt 3B" on another 🤦‍♀️). She verified my identity right on the phone and said my payments should resume in 24-48 hours! She also said all my pending payments from the last two weeks will be released at once. Thank you everyone for all your advice!!!

So glad to see this got resolved! This thread is incredibly helpful - I'm bookmarking it in case I ever run into similar issues. The fact that "3B" vs "Apt 3B" triggered a fraud flag is absolutely ridiculous, but at least there are workarounds like calling at 8am sharp or using services like Claimyr. For anyone else reading this in the future: it sounds like the key things are 1) be super consistent with how you write your address on ALL forms, 2) upload clear PDF documents instead of phone photos, 3) keep certifying even when payments are pending, and 4) update your NY.gov ID info to match your unemployment account. Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences here - this kind of community knowledge is invaluable when dealing with these broken government systems!

Just went through adjudication myself and wanted to share what helped me get through it! Mine lasted about 4 weeks and was due to wage verification issues from a previous job. The waiting was absolutely brutal but I kept myself sane by creating a routine - checked my online account every morning at 9am, called DOL every Tuesday/Thursday at exactly 8:01am, and kept detailed notes of every interaction. One thing that really helped was joining this subreddit and a few Facebook groups where people share real-time updates about their cases. Seeing others go through the same thing made me feel less alone. Also discovered that you can message them through the secure inbox on the NY.gov site - sometimes got faster responses than calling! Most important things: NEVER stop filing weekly claims (even though you won't get paid during adjudication, you need them for backpay), respond to any mail/email within 24 hours, and answer ALL unknown phone calls (they only try calling twice!). When I finally got approved, I received 4 weeks of backpay all at once which was such a huge relief. The system is definitely broken and the uncertainty is the worst part, but stay strong Connor! Document everything, stay persistent, and don't give up. Most legitimate claims do get resolved eventually, even if it takes longer than it should. You got this! 💪

Just wanted to add my experience since I went through adjudication about 6 months ago. Mine was triggered because my employer disputed the reason for my job separation - they claimed I quit voluntarily when I was actually terminated due to company restructuring. The whole process was nerve-wracking but ended up taking about 7 weeks total. What really saved me was keeping meticulous records from day one. I created a simple Google doc with dates, times, who I spoke with, and what was discussed. Also took screenshots of my online account status every few days. When they finally called me for a phone interview (week 5), having all that documentation made it so much easier to provide clear, consistent answers. One tip I don't see mentioned much - if you get scheduled for a phone interview, treat it seriously! Dress professionally even though it's just a call, have all your documents ready, and speak clearly. The adjudicator is trying to determine the facts, so be honest and straightforward. The backpay when it finally came through was life-changing after weeks of stress. Keep your head up Connor, the wait is horrible but most cases do get resolved if you stay on top of everything. This community helped me so much during my wait - you're definitely not alone in this! 🙏

@Malik Thompson, you're definitely eligible! I went through this same situation at 64 when my company downsized. The application process was straightforward - no age-related questions at all. Just make sure you have your employment history ready (pay stubs, employer info) and be prepared to show you're actively seeking work. The weekly job search requirement is the same for everyone - I think it's 3 job contacts per week. Don't let age discrimination concerns stop you from applying for jobs either - your experience is valuable! Good luck with your application.

@Malik Thompson, I'm 69 and successfully collected unemployment for 6 months last year after being let go from my retail management position. The process was exactly the same as when I filed claims in my 40s - no age-related barriers whatsoever. One thing I'd add to what others have mentioned: make sure you're genuinely open to different types of work opportunities, as the DOL may ask about your job search strategy during phone interviews. I found that emphasizing my willingness to learn new skills and adapt to different industries helped demonstrate I was serious about finding employment, not just going through the motions. Also, keep detailed records of your job search activities - it makes the weekly certification process much smoother. You've got this!