I'm dealing with the exact same issue right now! Certified yesterday morning and my payment history is still empty. This is only my second time claiming so I wasn't sure if this was normal or not. Reading through everyone's experiences here is really reassuring - sounds like 1-2 business days is pretty typical. I'll check again tomorrow and try not to stress about it. Thanks for posting this question, it's exactly what I needed to see!

Just wanted to jump in as another newcomer who's been following this thread closely! I'm in week 3 of my first unemployment claim and I've noticed the payment history delays seem to be getting longer recently. My first two certifications showed up within 24 hours, but this week's certification (done Tuesday) still isn't showing up. It's really comforting to see so many people experiencing the same thing and that it usually resolves itself within a few business days. This community has been incredibly helpful for understanding what's normal vs. what's actually a problem. For other newcomers like me - definitely save your confirmation numbers and don't panic if it takes 2-3 days to show up in payment history!

@Chloe Anderson - I was in almost the exact same boat as you about 6 months ago (laid off from a customer service job, first time filing). I kept hesitating because I was worried about some imaginary negative consequences, but honestly there are none! The biggest thing that helped me was realizing that unemployment insurance is exactly that - insurance that you've been paying for through your job. It's not welfare or charity, it's literally your money that you've earned the right to access. The job search requirement everyone mentions is really not bad at all - I actually ended up discovering job boards and networking events I never would have found otherwise. One practical tip: when you file your weekly claim online, it asks about your job search activities right there in the system, so you don't need any separate documentation. Just keep notes on where you applied, what positions, and the dates. The peace of mind of having that steady income while job hunting is absolutely worth it. Don't leave money on the table - file as soon as possible!

@Chloe Anderson - I completely understand your concerns! I was in a similar situation last year when I got laid off from my first "real" job and was terrified about filing for unemployment. Like you, I'd never been unemployed before and was worried about all sorts of potential consequences that turned out to be completely unfounded. The reality is that filing for unemployment benefits is one of the most straightforward and beneficial things you can do in this situation. There are truly no downsides in terms of credit, background checks, or future employment opportunities. The weekly job search requirement is actually pretty reasonable - just 3 job contacts per week, which honestly helped me stay focused and organized in my search. What really convinced me was when someone explained that these aren't handouts - they're benefits you've literally earned by working and paying taxes. Every week you delay filing is money you're losing that you can never get back. The system is designed exactly for situations like yours. I'd strongly encourage you to file today rather than waiting to see if you find something quickly - you can always stop claiming benefits once you find a job, but you can't retroactively claim for weeks you didn't file. Trust me, having that financial safety net will actually help you make better job decisions instead of feeling pressured to take the first thing that comes along!

same boat here - got laid off and trying to figure out if i qualify. thanks for asking this question!

Since you started in March, you'll likely need to wait until you have enough quarters and wages built up to qualify. The base period they look at is usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you file. So if you filed today, they'd typically look at Q1 2024 through Q4 2024. Since you just started in March 2025, you might not have enough earnings history yet. However, if you don't qualify under the regular base period, they'll automatically check the alternative base period which uses the most recent 4 completed quarters - this could potentially help you if you had previous employment. Keep detailed records of all your wages and work history just in case!

Yes, absolutely! The payment history shows everything broken down by week - the exact date each payment was issued, the gross amount, any deductions (like taxes withheld), and the net amount deposited. It's really comprehensive. Just make sure when you're in the payment history section to select the full year range for 2023 (January 1 - December 31) so you don't miss any payments. The system sometimes defaults to just showing a few months at a time. You can export it all as a PDF which makes it easy to send to your accountant. One other tip - if you had any waiting weeks or benefit reductions during 2023, those will show up in the records too with explanations, which can be helpful for tax purposes.

I went through this exact same situation a few months ago when I needed my 2023 unemployment records for my tax return. The key thing that helped me was logging into my.ny.gov and going to the Unemployment Services section, then looking for "Benefit Payment History" - it's usually listed under a "View Benefits" or "Payment Information" tab. Once you're there, you'll see a date selector where you can choose the year 2023. The system will generate a detailed report showing all your weekly payments with dates, amounts, and any tax withholdings. You can then download it as a PDF which is perfect for your accountant. If the page seems to hang or load slowly, try refreshing or coming back during off-peak hours - the NY system can be overwhelmed during tax season. The records should have everything your accountant needs including the total annual amount that matches your 1099-G.

good for you for trying to better yourself! the job market sucks right now so might as well use the time to learn something new

I went through this exact situation about 8 months ago and here's what I learned: You absolutely need to contact your local One-Stop Career Center BEFORE enrolling in any classes. They can help determine if you qualify for programs like WIOA or TAA that will actually pay for your training. I ended up getting approved for a web development bootcamp that was 100% covered, and I was able to continue receiving UI benefits throughout the program. The key is getting the proper approval first - don't just enroll and hope for the best. Each local office has slightly different procedures, so definitely go in person if you can rather than trying to navigate this over the phone.