The NYS Department of Labor system is such a mess. I've been waiting 4 months for my back pay and every time I call they give me a different excuse. First it was adjudication, then it was a system update, now they're saying there's some kind of verification issue. Meanwhile I'm about to lose my apartment because I can't pay rent!

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - my claim was approved 10 days ago and I can see all my weekly certifications marked as "paid" in the system, but only received payment for one week. It's really concerning when you're counting on that back pay to catch up on essential expenses. From what I've read in other forums, sometimes there can be automated holds placed on accounts for various reasons even after approval. Have you tried logging into your NY.gov account to see if there are any pending issues or notifications that might explain the delay?

This is so frustrating! I've been having the exact same issue since yesterday evening. I'm in Rochester and the website has been completely inaccessible - just keeps throwing that "service temporarily unavailable" error no matter what I try. I'm supposed to certify today and really need to make sure my payment processes on time. Reading through all these comments, it sounds like this claimyr.com service might be the only reliable way to actually talk to someone when the system is down like this. Has anyone who used it recently been able to get confirmation about their certification status? I'm worried that even if I can't access the website, I still need to certify by the deadline or risk missing payments.

Ugh, this is so frustrating! I'm having the exact same issue - been locked out since this morning and really need to check if my weekly certification processed. My landlord is already breathing down my neck about rent and I can't even confirm if I'll have the money. After reading through all these comments, I'm definitely going to try that claimyr.com service that everyone keeps mentioning. It sounds like it's the only way to actually talk to a real person when their prehistoric system crashes like this. Thanks for posting this - at least I know it's not just me going crazy trying every browser and device in my house! 🤦‍♀️

Same situation here - filed about 5 weeks ago and still nothing but "under review" every time I check. The worst part is not knowing if there's something I'm supposed to do or if it's just the system being slow. I've been calling every few days but can never get through. Starting to wonder if I filled something out wrong or if they need more documentation. Has anyone had luck with emailing them instead of calling? Getting really anxious about bills piling up while waiting for this to resolve.

I'm in week 7 of waiting for my review to complete, so I totally feel your frustration! What's helped me stay (somewhat) sane is setting up a daily routine where I check my account first thing in the morning, then I don't look at it again for the rest of the day. The constant checking was driving me crazy and it never changes anyway. Also, if you haven't already, make sure you screenshot everything - your weekly certifications, any letters you've received, etc. I learned that the hard way when I couldn't find an old document I needed. Keep filing those weekly claims even though they show blank - I was told by someone who finally got through that those weeks will get backpaid once the review clears. Hoping we both hear something soon! 🤞

After trying everything to get through on the phones, I finally used claimyr.com and it actually worked. Got a real person on the line in under an hour after weeks of failed calls. My ID verification was cleared on the spot and I got paid the following week. Highly recommended if youre desperate like I was.

Ugh I feel your pain! I'm going through the exact same thing right now. Did my ID verification through ID.me on August 15th and it's been 3 weeks with nothing. The "pending" status is driving me insane and I can't get through to anyone on the phone either. I'm a server so I'm in the same boat as you with the retail/service industry targeting that people mentioned. Really hoping someone here has some good advice because I'm about to lose my mind waiting for these back payments. At least it sounds like most people eventually get their money even if it takes forever 😭

I want to emphasize something important that others have touched on - don't rely solely on what your employer tells you about their exemption status. Many small business owners aren't fully aware of the nuances in NY unemployment insurance law. For example, if they had 4+ employees for even one quarter during the year, or if they paid $300+ in wages in any quarter, they likely should have been contributing. Also, if the business has multiple locations or related entities, that can affect their total employee count. The NYS Department of Labor has access to payroll records and tax filings that will give them the full picture. I'd definitely recommend filing your claim - the department will do a proper investigation and determine the facts. Even if this employer was truly exempt, as others mentioned, your work history from other jobs might still qualify you for benefits.

Just to add another perspective - I work in HR and see this confusion about exemptions all the time. One thing that often surprises small employers is that they can become liable for unemployment insurance retroactively if they meet the requirements. So even if your employer genuinely believed they were exempt when you worked there, NYS Department of Labor can determine they should have been paying in and require back contributions. This actually protects workers like you because it means your benefits could be available even if there was an oversight. The state takes this pretty seriously since unemployment insurance is meant to be a safety net for all eligible workers. Definitely file your claim - the department has seen every scenario and will make the right determination based on the facts of your case.