For future reference, the NYSDOL actually posts system outages and maintenance schedules on their Twitter account @NYSLabor. They don't always update it immediately when there's an unexpected issue, but it's worth checking there first to see if there's a known problem before you spend hours trying to get through.

This is such a common issue - I've been dealing with NY unemployment for about 8 months now and the website crashes almost every Sunday evening. What's helped me is setting a reminder to certify on Monday mornings instead of waiting until the last minute. The system is usually much more stable earlier in the week. Also, if you're on mobile, try switching to incognito/private browsing mode - sometimes that helps with the login issues. Hope everyone was able to get through eventually!

whatever you do dont just stop filing your weekly claims with NYS Department of Labor until you figure this out!! I made that mistake when I was considering a move and it messed up my whole claim status

I went through this exact situation when I moved from NY to Texas last year. The key thing to know is that you need to contact both states as soon as you know you're moving. NYS Department of Labor will close your claim when you move, but if you've worked in NY recently enough (usually within the last 18 months), you can file what's called an "interstate claim" in your new state. The new state processes your claim but uses your NY wage history to determine your benefit amount. Don't wait until after you move to start this process - begin the paperwork before you relocate to avoid any gaps in payments. Each state has different processing times so starting early is crucial.

One more suggestion based on my experience - after I used Claimyr to get through to a rep, I learned my claim was held up because I had accidentally answered YES to the question about being out of my authorized work area during one week's certification. I didn't even remember doing this! The agent was able to correct it on the spot. Double-check all your past certifications if possible to see if you might have made a similar mistake along the way.

I finally got through to someone!!! After 3+ hours on hold today. Turns out my claim was flagged for "additional wage verification" because I had worked in both NY and NJ last year. They never notified me about needing additional documents! The agent released the hold and said I should receive all my backpay within 3-5 business days. I'm cautiously optimistic but won't believe it until I see the money. Thank you all for your help and suggestions during this nightmare!

Hey Miguel! I just went through this process about 3 months ago when my company did layoffs. My experience was pretty similar to what others have shared - took about 2.5 weeks for my initial claim to get approved. One thing I wish I had known earlier is that you can check your claim status online through the NYS DOL portal, and they'll send you a determination letter (either by mail or electronically) once they make a decision. Since you filed last Monday, I'd expect to hear something by the end of next week or early the week after. For your rent situation, you might want to reach out to your landlord now to let them know about the timing - many are understanding about unemployment delays if you communicate upfront. Also echoing what others said about filing your weekly certifications immediately - don't wait for approval!

I just wanted to add another perspective since I went through this process twice - once in 2022 and again earlier this year. The first time took almost 6 weeks because I didn't realize I needed to provide additional documentation about my previous employer (they had since closed down). The second time was much smoother at just under 3 weeks. My advice would be to log into your account frequently and check for any messages or document requests - they don't always send email notifications for everything. Also, if you haven't already, make sure you have your direct deposit information set up correctly in the system. Nothing worse than getting approved and then waiting extra days for a paper check to arrive in the mail. Good luck with your claim Miguel, and definitely follow everyone's advice about those weekly certifications!

Just want to say I understand the position you're in. The gap between early retirement and Social Security eligibility is tough to navigate financially.

I'm actually dealing with something similar right now at 64. One thing to consider is whether you could negotiate a severance package that includes having your employer classify it as a layoff rather than retirement. Some companies will work with employees on this, especially if they're already planning cuts. It might be worth having a conversation with HR about your options before making any final decisions. Also, look into COBRA and other health insurance options since that's usually a big expense during this transition period.