After seeing your post, I wanted to follow up. Were you able to get through to anyone? I know how stressful this waiting game can be.

So glad to hear you got it sorted out! I'm actually dealing with the same ID.me nightmare right now - it keeps rejecting my selfie even though I'm following all their instructions. The lighting thing is so finicky and then it times out halfway through. I've been on hold with NYSDOL for over an hour today but seeing all these success stories gives me hope. Going to check out that Claimyr service too. It's crazy that we have to jump through all these hoops just to get our own benefits!

Just document everything about why they quit in case you need to contest the claim. Keep any emails, texts, or notes from conversations about their resignation.

As a small business owner who's dealt with this before, I understand your concern about rates going up. The good news is that one short-term employee claiming benefits typically won't cause a dramatic spike in your unemployment insurance rates. The system is designed to spread costs over time, and your rates are based on your overall experience rating, not just one claim. Focus on documenting the circumstances of their departure and responding honestly to any paperwork NYS Department of Labor sends you. If they quit without good cause, you have the right to contest the claim.

Final update: After trying that Claimyr service mentioned earlier, I finally got through to an agent yesterday! Turns out there was a "program transfer flag" on my account because I initially applied for regular UI but was moved to a different program during processing. The agent cleared the flag and said I should see all my backpay within 3-5 business days. Such a relief! Will update if the money actually shows up. Thanks everyone for your help and advice!

Congratulations on getting through and finding the issue! That "program transfer flag" sounds like something that happens way more often than it should - the system really needs better automation to handle these transitions. For anyone else reading this thread who might be in a similar situation, it's worth asking specifically about program transfer flags when you do get through to an agent. Seems like these flags can sit there indefinitely unless someone manually clears them. Really hope your backpay comes through as promised - keep us posted!

While you're waiting, make sure you keep certifying your weekly claims even though you're not getting paid yet. If your claim gets approved, you'll receive back payments for all the weeks you certified. Also double-check that you're meeting the job search requirements - you need to log 3 work search activities per week in the system.

I'm going through the exact same thing right now - filed 3 weeks ago and still pending with no communication from NYS DOL. The phone lines are absolutely useless, I've tried calling dozens of times and either get busy signals or sit on hold for 2+ hours just to get disconnected. It's incredibly frustrating when you're already stressed about finances and can't get any answers about your own claim. Have you tried reaching out to your local assemblyperson's office? I heard they sometimes have direct contacts at the labor department who can help check on claim status.

I'm going through something really similar right now - toxic manager, impossible workload, and feeling completely trapped. From what I've researched, you CAN potentially get unemployment if you quit for "good cause" but the bar is pretty high. NYS Department of Labor looks for things like documented harassment, unsafe conditions, or major changes to your job that weren't part of your original agreement. The tricky part is proving it. I'd suggest starting to document everything NOW - send emails to HR about your concerns (even if they don't respond), keep records of the unreasonable demands, and if there are witnesses to the hostile behavior, see if they'd be willing to provide statements. Also consider talking to your manager's boss or asking about a transfer before you quit - NYS DOL wants to see that you tried other solutions first. It's frustrating that we have to jump through all these hoops when we're already dealing with terrible situations, but having that paper trail could make the difference between getting benefits or not.

I've been through a very similar situation and wanted to share what worked for me. The key is understanding that NYS Department of Labor defines "good cause" pretty narrowly - it's not enough to just be unhappy or overworked. However, your situation with doing three people's jobs after a restructure without additional compensation could potentially qualify as constructive dismissal. Start documenting everything NOW - send professional emails to HR about your concerns regarding the unsustainable workload and hostile work environment. Even if they don't respond, it creates a crucial paper trail. Keep your original job description and compare it to what you're doing now to show how dramatically your role has changed. Also, try to exhaust internal remedies first - ask about transfers, speak to your manager's supervisor, or inquire about voluntary separation packages. The appeals process can take months and you likely won't receive benefits during that time, so plan financially accordingly. If you need to contact NYS Department of Labor during this process, their phone system is terrible - you might want to look into services like Claimyr that help you actually get through to a real person. Your 8-year tenure actually helps your case since it shows you're not someone who quits lightly.