For future reference, you can also sign up for text notifications in your my.ny.gov account settings. They'll send updates when your claim status changes or if there are any issues that need your attention. It's under 'Communication Preferences' in your profile. Also, make sure you're filing your weekly claims even while waiting for the initial determination - you can't get retroactive payments for weeks you didn't certify.

I went through this same frustrating experience a few months back. One thing that helped me was checking the "Documents" section on my.ny.gov - sometimes they request additional paperwork but it doesn't always show up clearly in the main dashboard. Also, if you haven't already, make sure to check your spam folder for emails from noreply@labor.ny.gov. They sometimes send status updates there that get filtered out. The waiting is the worst part, but hang in there - most claims do get processed eventually, it's just their system is overwhelmed.

I'm going through something similar right now - got hit with a forfeit notice last month for allegedly not reporting some side work properly. From what I've been reading here and my own experience, they should keep paying you during the appeal process. I've been getting my weekly payments while waiting for my hearing date (still 2 months out 😤). The scary part is if you lose, you have to pay back everything you received during the appeal PLUS serve the forfeit period. So definitely start setting aside some money just in case. I've been putting 30% of each payment into a separate account as my "oh shit" fund. Also, gather EVERY piece of documentation you have about that income from April - bank statements, pay stubs, screenshots, emails, literally everything. The more evidence you bring showing you tried to report correctly, the better your chances. Good luck with your hearing in November!

Hey, I'm new to this community but dealing with a similar situation right now. Got a forfeit notice three weeks ago and have been panicking about whether they'll cut off my benefits. Reading through everyone's responses here is super reassuring - sounds like they do keep paying during the appeal process which is a huge relief. I'm definitely taking the advice about saving some money just in case I lose. The idea of having to pay everything back is terrifying but at least now I know what to expect. Also going to start gathering all my documentation like everyone suggests. Has anyone had success with those callback services that keep getting mentioned? I've been trying to call unemployment for weeks with no luck and I'm getting desperate to talk to someone about my specific case.

I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago when my employer suddenly closed. NYS Department of Labor was actually pretty understanding about it. They do have access to quarterly wage reports like others mentioned, but what really helped me was keeping detailed records - I had screenshots of my work schedule, copies of direct deposit records from my bank, and even some work emails on my personal phone. The key thing is that business closure is considered "involuntary separation" so you're automatically eligible as long as you can prove you actually worked there. My claim was approved within 2 weeks even though they couldn't contact my former employer. Don't stress too much about it - the system is designed to handle these situations since small businesses close all the time.

Just wanted to share my recent experience since I filed in March 2024. NYS Department of Labor did verify my employment automatically through their wage database for most of my work history, but they also sent me a questionnaire asking for additional details about my separation. Even though I had all my paystubs and W-2s, they still wanted me to explain exactly what happened when my company laid me off. The whole process took about 3 weeks from filing to getting my first payment. One tip - if you're filing online, make sure to upload any documentation you have right away rather than waiting for them to ask for it. It seems to speed things up when they can see you have supporting evidence from the start.

also make sure you're filing your weekly claims even if your initial claim is still pending! i made that mistake and it delayed everything even more

I just went through this same process last month! Here's what helped me: Once you're logged into my.ny.gov, look for the "Unemployment Services" section, then click on "UI Online Services." From there you should see options like "Claim Summary" and "Payment History" - that's where your status will show up. Mine showed "Pending - Adjudication" for about 2 weeks before it got approved. And yes, definitely start filing your weekly claims right away even while it's pending - you can't go back and claim those weeks later if you miss them. The whole process is frustrating but hang in there!

The whole system is funded by employers but honestly it feels like they make it as hard as possible for us to actually collect what we're entitled to. All these adjudication delays and job search requirements - it's like they want people to give up and stop filing claims.

Thanks everyone for the detailed explanations! I had no idea it was completely employer-funded. It's actually pretty smart that companies with higher turnover pay more - gives them a real financial incentive to treat workers better and avoid unnecessary layoffs. Makes me feel less guilty about collecting benefits knowing my former employer was required to pay into this system all along.