I'm currently on day 16 of waiting for my first payment after being laid off from my marketing job. Did the ID.me verification immediately and have been certifying weekly, but still showing "pending" status online. What I've learned from calling twice is that March applications are taking a bit longer than usual due to a system update they did in early March. The first agent told me 2-3 weeks, the second one (called yesterday) said they're seeing most March claims process around the 18-21 day mark now. One tip that might help others - when you call, ask them to check if your employer has responded to their inquiry yet. In my case, they sent the standard separation verification to my former employer on day 3, but the employer has 10 business days to respond. The agent said once they get that response (assuming no disputes), payments usually go out within 2-3 business days. So it's not just about completing your part of the application - there's a whole back-and-forth with employers that can add time. Just wanted to share this since I didn't realize how much the employer response timing could impact things!

I'm on day 13 of waiting after being laid off from my customer service job. Just wanted to add my data point to help with everyone's timeline expectations - still showing "pending" but after reading all these comments I'm feeling more optimistic that it should come through in the next week or so. One thing I learned from calling yesterday (only took 25 minutes to get through, surprisingly!) is that they now send automated text updates when your claim moves to different stages. The agent said I should get a text when it's approved and another when payment is sent. Has anyone else gotten these texts? I signed up for them but haven't received anything yet. Also, for anyone still waiting on employer responses - the agent told me that if an employer doesn't respond within the 10 business days, they typically approve the claim anyway as long as there are no obvious red flags in your application. So don't stress too much if you think your former employer might be slow to respond. Really appreciate everyone sharing their timelines here - it's so much more helpful than the vague "processing times vary" on the official website!

The whole system is rigged against working people. Employers get away with paying under the table because they know workers won't report them, and then when you need help you're left with nothing. Meanwhile they probably pocketed all the money they should have been paying in unemployment taxes.

Angel, I'm really sorry you're dealing with this situation. While it's true that traditional unemployment benefits require reported wages, you might still have some options worth exploring. First, definitely document everything you can about your employment - any texts, schedules, photos of you working, bank deposits, etc. Even though you were paid cash, you were still an employee entitled to proper treatment under labor law. Consider reaching out to a worker's rights organization or legal aid clinic - they can help you understand if there are other safety net programs you might qualify for while you look for new work. Also, as others mentioned, reporting the employer could help prevent this from happening to other workers. Don't give up - there might be more options available than you initially think.

I'm in a similar boat and was worried about this too. From what I've researched, the NYS Department of Labor website actually has a section on "other income" that mentions selling personal property usually doesn't count as wages if it's stuff you already owned. The tricky part is they want you to report ANY income over $405 per week, but selling your own belongings typically falls under "liquidating assets" not "earning income." I'd suggest keeping receipts showing what you originally paid for items if you have them, just to prove you're not making a profit. Also maybe don't sell everything at once - spread it out over a few weeks to avoid any red flags.

I went through this exact situation a few months ago! Sold my old gaming console, some books, and kitchen appliances I wasn't using. The key thing I learned is that NYS considers it "liquidating personal assets" rather than income as long as you're selling items you already owned before filing for unemployment. I kept a simple list of what I sold and roughly what I originally paid for each item (didn't need exact receipts for everything). The $200-300 range you're talking about shouldn't be an issue at all - I sold about $400 worth of stuff over 2 months with no problems. Just avoid making it look like a regular business activity and you should be fine. The stress of worrying about it was way worse than actually doing it!

I'm really sorry you're going through this - the stress of job searching after benefits expire is overwhelming, and it's clear from this thread that so many people are facing the same challenge. One resource I haven't seen mentioned yet is the New York State Wage Theft Prevention Act hotline and related worker assistance programs. Even if you're not dealing with wage theft specifically, they often have information about other state assistance programs that aren't well-advertised. Also, if you're open to contract or freelance work while searching, check out sites like Upwork or Fiverr for remote opportunities in your field. It's not ideal, but it can provide some income and help fill employment gaps on your resume. I've seen people build up enough freelance clients to bridge the gap until they find permanent work. Another angle - reach out to your college alumni network if you have one. Many schools have dedicated job placement assistance for alumni regardless of how long you've been out of school. Some even have emergency assistance funds for alumni facing financial hardship. The fact that you're being so proactive and making a concrete action plan shows incredible resilience. This job market is brutal but temporary. Keep pushing forward - you've got this!

I'm in almost the exact same situation - my NY benefits ran out in late August and I'm still struggling to find work despite applying everywhere. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly eye-opening and honestly the first time I've felt hopeful in weeks. I had no idea about so many of these programs like the 599 Training Program, Individual Training Accounts, or even that libraries have career centers. I've been doing the same thing as everyone else - just endlessly applying online and getting nowhere. What really resonates with me is the advice about changing strategies completely. I think I've been stuck in the "spray and pray" approach of just submitting applications, but the networking and direct outreach suggestions make so much sense. I'm definitely going to start with my local Career Center this week and look into the Claimyr service to actually get through to someone at NYSDOL. The temp agency strategy also seems smart - I've been holding out for permanent positions but some income is definitely better than none at this point. Thank you to everyone sharing their experiences and resources. It's both comforting and motivating to know others have navigated this successfully. The mental health aspect is so real - some days I barely want to get out of bed, but this thread gives me a concrete action plan to work with. Zoe, I hope some of these resources work out for you. Please keep us posted on how it goes!

Ruby, definitely contact NYS DOL as soon as possible to set up a payment plan before tax season. I went through this exact situation two years ago with a $3,200 overpayment. They did take my state refund, but only after I ignored their notices for months. If you're proactive about calling them and explaining your financial situation, they're usually willing to work with you on monthly payments as low as $50-100. Just make sure to get any agreement in writing. The key is reaching out before they automatically offset your refund.

I went through something similar last year with a $1,900 overpayment. What really helped me was calling first thing in the morning right when they opened - I had better luck getting through then. When I finally connected with someone, they were actually pretty understanding about setting up a payment plan. I ended up paying $75 a month instead of losing my entire refund. The agent told me that as long as I made my payments on time, they wouldn't touch my tax refund. Just make sure to call before you file your taxes because once the refund process starts, it's harder to stop the offset.