I've been dealing with this nightmare for over a month now! Tried everything - calling at different times, using multiple phone numbers, even had my mom try calling from her landline. The "higher than normal call volume" message is such a joke at this point. I'm seriously considering that paid service @Paige Cantoni mentioned because I'm losing my mind here. Has anyone tried showing up in person at a local office? I know they prefer phone calls but I'm desperate. Also wondering if there's a specific time of day that works better - like maybe right after lunch when some people might have given up for the day? This whole system is broken and we're the ones suffering for it. 😡

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Been trying for almost 2 weeks and it's incredibly frustrating. I've been following some of the advice here - trying to call right at 8am, staying on hold even when it says long wait times, and being persistent. Yesterday I tried calling 28 times throughout the day with no luck. I'm seriously considering that paid service @Paige Cantoni mentioned because at this point my time and sanity are worth way more than $20. Has anyone noticed if certain days of the week are better than others? I was thinking maybe mid-week might be less busy than Mondays when everyone's trying to call after the weekend. This whole situation is just unacceptable - we shouldn't have to jump through hoops like this to access services we're entitled to!

This whole gig economy unemployment thing is such a mess. Half the time they don't know how to handle our situations and we get stuck in adjudication forever while they try to figure out if we qualify or not. The system wasn't designed for people like us.

I'm in a similar situation as an Uber driver in NYC - my earnings have dropped significantly over the past few months. From what I've researched, you'll definitely want to gather all your documentation before applying. Besides the 1099s and bank statements others mentioned, I'd also recommend keeping your Uber driver app earnings statements and any tax returns where you reported this income. The NYS Department of Labor website has a section specifically for independent contractors that walks through the eligibility requirements. One thing I learned is that they calculate your benefit amount differently than for traditional employees, so don't expect the same formula. Also consider applying sooner rather than later since there can be waiting periods and backlogs like others have mentioned.

The whole system is such a pain honestly. I've been dealing with NYS Department of Labor for years with my restaurant and they change the rules constantly. Just make sure you keep detailed records of everything because they WILL ask for documentation later.

Just went through this process myself a few months ago! @Liam O'Sullivan is spot on about the $300 threshold. One thing that helped me was calling the NYS Department of Labor early in the morning (like 8 AM sharp) - seemed to have better luck getting through then. Also, make sure you understand the difference between employees and independent contractors because that affects your UI liability. If you're just doing consulting work solo with 1099 contractors, you're probably not liable yet. But definitely get clarity before you start paying anyone regularly!

I had the worst time trying to reach someone at NYS Department of Labor when I had questions about my claim. Spent hours calling and either got busy signals or got disconnected. Finally found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually got me through to a real person at the unemployment office. They have this video demo showing exactly how it works: https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI. Saved me so much frustration dealing with the phone system.

Just wanted to add that if you do quit and apply for benefits, NYS Department of Labor will contact your employer to verify the reason for separation. If your employer disputes your claim and says you quit without good cause, you'll have to go through an adjudication process that can take weeks. Make sure you have solid documentation if you're going to claim constructive dismissal.

Pro tip: take screenshots of everything and keep a spreadsheet. NY unemployment system is notorious for glitches

Hey! I went through the exact same thing last month. That waiting week showing $0 is normal - it's unpaid by design. The real issue is why nothing else is showing up after 04/28. Check if you have any pending issues under "Claim Status" - could be identity verification, work search requirements, or they need more info. Also make sure you're certifying on the right days (usually Sunday-Tuesday). If everything looks clean on your end, definitely call or use one of those callback services people mentioned. Don't stop certifying though - you'll lose those weeks if you do! Keep records of everything in case you need to prove you were certifying.