The NYS Department of Labor really needs to bring back in-person filing. Not everyone has reliable internet access and the phone system is a nightmare. This whole online-only approach is leaving people behind when they need help most.

Have you tried using a mobile hotspot or asking a friend/family member if you can use their internet connection? Sometimes filing from a different network can help if your home internet is unreliable. You could also try going to a coffee shop or other business with free wifi. The key is finding a stable connection so you don't get kicked out mid-application. If all else fails, keep trying that early morning call time - I've heard 7:45am right before they open sometimes works better than 8am when everyone else is calling.

The system is so confusing! I keep seeing different information about benefit years vs claim years and base periods. Why can't NYS Department of Labor just explain this stuff clearly on their website instead of making us guess?

been collecting on and off for 15 years due to seasonal work and never had any issues with limits

When I worked at a grocery store last summer i made a mistake on my weekly certification and they put a hold on my claim but my payments didn't stop. It was a different type of issue than yours though. Good luck with your hearing!

Just wanted to share my experience since I went through something similar about 6 months ago. I had a forfeit hearing for underreporting some freelance income (totally my mistake - the online form was confusing). They continued paying my regular weekly benefits the entire time while waiting for the hearing, which took about 5 weeks to schedule. The key thing is whether they've issued a formal "determination" yet. If it's just a hearing notice without a determination, they typically keep paying. At my hearing, I brought screenshots of the confusing parts of the reporting system and a timeline showing it was an honest mistake. The hearing officer was actually pretty understanding. I ended up with 3 forfeit weeks (which I'll have to serve if I ever file a new claim in the future), but I didn't have to pay anything back and my current benefits weren't interrupted. Make sure to bring any documentation that shows your mistake was unintentional - it really does help your case.

Just wanted to say hang in there! I was in a similar spot after a workplace injury and it's really stressful trying to figure out all the different benefit options. The good news is workers comp should cover your medical expenses too which unemployment definitely wouldn't do.

I went through something similar after a back injury two years ago. One thing to keep in mind is that workers comp benefits aren't taxable, while unemployment benefits are. So even though your workers comp might be around $670/week (2/3 of your wages), you keep all of it. If you were getting unemployment at $500/week, you'd owe taxes on that. Also, workers comp will continue as long as you're unable to work, while unemployment has time limits. Definitely stick with workers comp for now, and once your doctor clears you for light duty, then you can explore other options if your employer can't accommodate you.

The whole thing reminds me of when I was on unemployment back in 2019, except it was way easier then. Now with all the online stuff and new requirements it's like they made it deliberately complicated. I spent hours trying to figure out the work search logging system alone. But once you get the hang of it, it becomes more routine. Just wish they would make the process clearer from the start instead of making everyone figure it out through trial and error.

I'm dealing with the exact same frustrations right now! Been waiting 4 weeks with my claim stuck in pending status and the phone system is absolutely useless. What's really getting to me is how unclear everything is - like I had no idea there were specific work search logging requirements beyond just applying to jobs. The whole system feels like it was designed to discourage people from actually getting benefits. Has anyone found a reliable way to get status updates without having to spend entire days on hold?