Update: I tried calling again today using that Claimyr service someone mentioned and actually got through to a tier 2 specialist! They confirmed that my verification was completed by Homeland Security last week but was sitting in a queue waiting for final review. The specialist manually moved it to the payment processing stage and said I should see funds in 3-5 business days. Also, they're going to include all the backdated payments! Thanks everyone for your help!

Congrats on getting it resolved! This thread is so helpful - I'm dealing with a similar work authorization issue right now (H1B visa holder) and have been stuck for 2 weeks. Going to try the Claimyr service and also check if my name matches exactly between my documents and application. It's crazy how many different answers we get from different agents when most of them don't seem to understand the SAVE verification process at all. Thanks for sharing your update!

The whole system is so confusing!! Why can't they just make this stuff clear on the website instead of making us guess about every little detail.

I'm dealing with something similar right now - on workers comp for a shoulder injury but can still do computer work. What I learned is you need to be really specific with the Department of Labor about what type of work you CAN do, not just what you can't. When I registered for work search, I made sure to list all the job types that don't involve physical labor. The key is being honest about your restrictions while showing you're genuinely looking for suitable work within those limits.

Write a formal hardship letter. Send it certified mail to NYSDOL Commissioner's Office. Include documentation of financial hardship (eviction notice, utility shutoff, bank statements showing $0, etc). By law they have to prioritize hardship cases. My cousin works at DOL and told me this is what actually gets claims expedited internally.

I'm so sorry you're going through this - the stress of waiting 5+ months for basic financial support you're entitled to is unimaginable. I've been following this thread and there's some really solid advice here. Based on what others have shared, I'd prioritize these steps in this order: 1) Contact your STATE SENATOR's office (not just assemblyman) - they seem to have more direct connections to DOL, 2) Send that certified hardship letter to the Commissioner's office that Maria mentioned - especially since you're facing eviction, 3) File the AG complaint that ApolloJackson suggested, and 4) Try that claimyr service to actually get through to a Tier 2 agent who can see what's really blocking your claim. Document everything with dates and names. Don't give up - you've paid into this system and deserve these benefits. The squeaky wheel really does get the grease with NY unemployment. Sending you strength! 💪

I'm currently a financial aid administrator at a community college in NYS and wanted to add some practical insights to this great discussion. First, you're absolutely right to be concerned about reporting accurately, but please don't stress too much - we see unemployment situations constantly and have well-established processes to help. A few specific tips: 1) When you report your UI benefits on FAFSA, make sure to include the exact amount you've received, not just estimates, 2) Contact your school's financial aid office BEFORE submitting your FAFSA if possible - we can often guide you through the process and let you know what additional documentation we'll need for a professional judgment review, 3) Ask specifically about the school's emergency aid programs - many have COVID-related funds that are still available for students facing financial hardship, and 4) If you're considering community college first, know that we typically have more flexible policies and faster turnaround times for these situations. Also, regarding the training waiver mentioned earlier - that's excellent advice and definitely worth pursuing if you want to continue benefits while in school. The key is getting approval BEFORE enrollment. You're taking a smart step by planning ahead, and education is often the best path forward after job loss. Feel free to reach out to financial aid offices with questions - we're here to help, not judge!

I'm a college senior who went through unemployment and FAFSA complications during my sophomore year, and I wanted to share some hope and practical advice! The unemployment benefits absolutely need to be reported, but here's what really made the difference for me: I scheduled an appointment with my financial aid counselor BEFORE completing my FAFSA. They walked me through exactly how to report the UI income and immediately started the professional judgment paperwork. What surprised me was that my school had a specific "economic hardship" scholarship program I never knew existed - they automatically considered me for it once they saw my unemployment documentation. Also, don't forget about work-study opportunities once you're enrolled - schools often prioritize these positions for students who've experienced job loss since they understand you need the income. The whole process felt overwhelming at first, but my financial aid package ended up being better than I expected because the school recognized that unemployment represents a genuine financial hardship, not just additional income. Start reaching out to schools now rather than waiting - most financial aid offices are incredibly understanding about these situations and want to help you succeed!

side note but anytime you need to talk to NY unemployment go with claimyr.com its the only thing that actually works. otherwise you'll waste days trying to get through

Don't stress too much about this - it's actually a pretty common situation! I had something similar happen where I forgot to include a part-time job from my base period. The key is being proactive about fixing it rather than hoping it won't be discovered. Here's what worked for me: I called the unemployment office first thing in the morning (around 8:05 AM) on a Wednesday and actually got through after about 45 minutes on hold. The rep was understanding when I explained it was an honest oversight and helped me add the missing employer to my claim. They did have to recalculate my benefits, but since it was a relatively small amount ($3,400 over 3 months like yours), it didn't significantly change my weekly benefit rate. I had to repay about $200 in benefits that I technically wasn't entitled to, but there were no penalties since I self-reported the issue. The important thing is to have all your info ready when you call: the employer's name, address, your dates of employment, and total wages earned. Be upfront that you genuinely forgot to include this job when you filed your original claim. One thing that helped me was keeping a log of when I called and getting reference numbers for my calls. It shows you're making a good faith effort to resolve the issue. Good luck getting through - persistence is key with the NY unemployment phone system!