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This thread is so helpful! I'm bookmarking it for future reference. The NY unemployment system really needs to make these documents easier to find - it shouldn't take a whole community discussion just to locate a basic award letter. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and solutions!
Totally agree! This whole thread should honestly be pinned or something. I've been dealing with NY unemployment for months and had no idea about half these document locations people mentioned. It's crazy that we have to crowdsource basic navigation tips for a government website. Really shows how poorly designed their system is when you need a whole community just to find your own paperwork!
Just wanted to add another tip for people who might still be struggling - if you're using a mobile browser, try switching to desktop view or using an actual computer. I've noticed the mobile version of the NY unemployment site sometimes hides certain links or buttons that are visible on desktop. Also, if you have any browser extensions that block ads or modify page layouts, try disabling them temporarily as they can sometimes interfere with government sites. The "View Benefit Details" link that helped the original poster is definitely easier to spot on a full desktop browser!
That's such a good point about mobile vs desktop! I actually had the same issue when I was trying to navigate the site on my phone - so many buttons and links were either tiny or completely missing. Government websites in general seem to have terrible mobile optimization. It's frustrating because a lot of people rely on their phones as their primary internet access, especially when dealing with unemployment. Thanks for mentioning the browser extensions too - I never would have thought of that but it makes total sense that ad blockers could mess with the page layout.
I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - filed my claim about 3 weeks ago and it's been stuck in adjudication. From what I've learned reading through other posts here, it seems like the NYS Department of Labor is really backlogged and the "adjudication in progress" status usually means they're verifying something with your former employer or checking your eligibility. The waiting is absolutely nerve-wracking, especially when bills are piling up. Have you tried reaching out to your local assembly member's office? I've heard some people had luck getting their cases expedited that way when the normal phone lines weren't working.
That's a great suggestion about contacting your assembly member's office! I hadn't thought of that route. Do you happen to know how that process works? Like do you just call their office and explain the situation, or is there a specific procedure for unemployment issues? I'm getting really desperate at this point and willing to try anything that might help move things along.
I'm going through the exact same thing right now - filed about 6 weeks ago and stuck in "adjudication in progress" with zero communication from NYS DOL. What's really frustrating is that they don't give you any timeline or explanation of what they're actually reviewing. I've been keeping detailed records of all my weekly certifications and any correspondence (or lack thereof) just in case. One thing that might help is checking if your former employer has responded to their inquiry - sometimes the delay is on their end and NYS DOL won't tell you that. Also, if you have any union representation or know someone who works in HR, they might have insights into how long these employer verification requests typically take. Hang in there - I know it's incredibly stressful when you're facing rent and bills with no income coming in.
I work for a workers' compensation attorney and see this situation frequently. Since you mentioned this was a work-related injury, you should definitely look into filing a workers' compensation claim if you haven't already. Workers' comp can provide additional benefits beyond short-term disability and may cover more of your lost wages. You might also be entitled to temporary total disability payments through workers' comp, which could be higher than your current 60%. The key is that workers' comp and disability benefits can sometimes be coordinated, and there may be legal protections for your job once you're ready to return. I'd strongly recommend consulting with a workers' comp attorney - most offer free consultations for work injuries.
This is really helpful advice! I didn't even think about workers' comp since my employer automatically put me on short-term disability. Should I file a workers' comp claim even though I'm already getting disability payments? And do you know if workers' comp would conflict with the disability benefits I'm currently receiving? I definitely want to explore this option if it could help with the financial gap.
Yes, you should absolutely file a workers' comp claim even while receiving short-term disability! In New York, you can often receive both simultaneously, though the total amount may be coordinated so you don't exceed 100% of your wages. Workers' comp typically pays 2/3 of your average weekly wage and there's no time limit like there is with short-term disability. The big advantage is that workers' comp also covers all your medical expenses related to the injury. Since your employer put you on disability first, they may be trying to avoid a workers' comp claim, but you have every right to file one for a work-related back injury. Don't wait too long though - there are deadlines for filing workers' comp claims in NY.
I went through something similar when I hurt my shoulder at my warehouse job two years ago. The short-term disability barely covered my rent, let alone everything else. What really helped me was applying for SNAP benefits (food stamps) and seeing if I qualified for any utility assistance programs through HEAP. My county also had an emergency assistance program that helped with one month of rent. It's not unemployment money, but these programs can really help stretch what you're getting from disability. Also, if you have any credit cards or loans, call them and explain your situation - many companies have hardship programs that can temporarily reduce or pause payments. Hang in there, the financial stress during disability is real but there are resources out there to help bridge the gap.
This is such practical advice, thank you! I hadn't thought about calling my creditors about hardship programs. I'm definitely going to look into SNAP and HEAP - every bit helps when you're trying to make ends meet on 60% pay. Did you find the application process for these programs difficult while you were dealing with your injury recovery? I'm worried about having the energy to navigate all the paperwork while I'm still in pain, but it sounds like it could make a real difference financially.
The application process wasn't too bad actually! For SNAP, you can apply online through myBenefits.ny.gov which saved me from having to go anywhere in person while I was recovering. HEAP applications can also be done online or over the phone in most counties. The hardest part was gathering all the documentation they needed (pay stubs, medical records, etc.) but once I had everything together it moved pretty quickly. Pro tip - if you call your local Department of Social Services and explain you're recovering from a work injury, they might be able to help you over the phone or even send someone to help with the application. Don't let the paperwork stress stop you from getting help you're entitled to!
This thread has been a lifesaver! I just experienced the exact same thing - got 2 days instead of my usual 4 this week and was completely panicking. After reading everyone's experiences, I checked my messages and found a monetary redetermination notice from two days ago that I had completely overlooked. My maximum benefit amount increased by $420 and my weekly benefit went up by $38. It's such a relief to understand that the partial payment is just a quirk of how the system processes these recalculations. I was literally about to take time off work tomorrow to sit on hold with NYSDOL all day! Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and confirmed that payments return to normal the following week with the higher amounts. This community knowledge is so much more helpful than trying to navigate the official channels. I'll definitely be checking my messages more regularly going forward and will update next week to confirm everything goes back to normal with the increased benefit amount.
@Chloe Martin Welcome to the community! I m'so glad you found this thread before spending your day on hold with NYSDOL - that would have been such a waste of time for what turns out to be a normal part of the redetermination process. A $38 weekly increase is fantastic news! It s'really amazing how this thread has helped so many people who were going through the exact same panic. The fact that multiple people have confirmed their payments went back to normal the following week with higher amounts should give you complete peace of mind. Thanks for adding your experience to help future people who might stumble across this situation!
This thread has been so helpful for understanding what happens during monetary redeterminations! I'm currently dealing with a similar situation where I got a partial payment this week, but reading through everyone's experiences has really put my mind at ease. It's incredible how many people have gone through this exact same scenario - getting that initial panic from the reduced payment, then finding the buried redetermination notice in their messages, and ultimately having everything work out with higher benefits the following week. For anyone new to this situation, the pattern seems very consistent: partial payment during the recalculation week, followed by normal payments with increased amounts. The key is definitely checking that messages section thoroughly - these notices are way too easy to miss! I'm curious if anyone has figured out why the system processes payments this way during redeterminations. It seems like such an odd quirk that causes unnecessary stress for so many people. But regardless, I'm grateful for this community sharing their experiences so newcomers like me don't have to panic alone!
@Christian Bierman You re'absolutely right about the pattern being consistent! I ve'been lurking in this community for a while and have seen this exact scenario play out multiple times. From what I ve'observed, the partial payment during redetermination weeks seems to be a technical quirk of how their system handles the transition between old and new benefit calculations. I think what happens is the system has to pause "the" regular payment processing while it updates all the benefit amounts and recalculates everything, which results in that weird partial payment. It s'definitely not ideal from a user experience perspective, but at least now we know it s'normal! This thread should honestly be pinned somewhere for future reference - it s'probably the most comprehensive explanation of this process I ve'seen anywhere. Way more helpful than anything on the official NYSDOL site. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences to help newcomers navigate this confusing situation!
Heather Tyson
I'm going through the exact same thing right now - filed 3 weeks ago and still showing "claim under review" with no other details. It's so frustrating not knowing what's causing the delay or how much longer it might take. I've been calling every day but can never get through to speak with anyone. The automated system just repeats the same "your claim is being processed" message. Really hoping someone here has recent experience with how long these reviews actually take because I'm getting really worried about my finances too.
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Brooklyn Knight
•I'm in the exact same boat - filed my claim about 2.5 weeks ago and it's been stuck on "claim under review" the whole time. The lack of communication is the worst part. I've tried calling dozens of times but either get disconnected or sit on hold for hours with no luck. Really wish they would at least give us an estimated timeline or explain what's causing the delays. Hang in there - hopefully we'll both hear something soon!
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Zara Shah
I've been dealing with NYS Department of Labor claims for a few years now and unfortunately the processing times have gotten much longer recently. Two weeks is still within the normal range, but I understand how stressful it is when you're waiting for money you need. A few things that might help: 1) Make sure you're continuing to certify for weekly benefits even while under review - this is crucial, 2) Check if you have any outstanding documents they might need in your online account, and 3) Try calling the Telecert line (888-581-5812) early in the morning around 8am when call volume is lower. The "claim under review" status usually means they're verifying your employment history or separation reason with your former employer. Hang in there - most claims do get processed eventually, it's just taking longer than it should right now.
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