I went through this exact same situation last month! The retroactive payments are definitely the best part - you'll get all those weeks you were waiting during adjudication. In my case, I got about 4 weeks of back payments all at once, which was a huge relief. Just be patient with that first deposit, it might take a few extra days because they're processing multiple weeks. After that, the weekly payments come much more regularly. You're through the hardest part now!

I'm currently going through the adjudication process myself and this thread is so helpful! I've been filing weekly claims for the past 2 weeks while waiting for my determination. It's really reassuring to hear that all those weeks will be paid retroactively once approved. The uncertainty has been stressful, especially not knowing if I'm wasting my time with the weekly filings. @Caden Turner, please keep us updated on how long your first payment takes - it would be great to know what to expect timing-wise!

I went through this exact same frustration a few months ago! The 8-digit PIN is definitely one of the most confusing parts of the NYS DOL system. In my case, it turned out the PIN was printed on a tiny perforated stub attached to one of the forms - almost like a tear-off receipt. I had actually thrown it away thinking it was just extra packaging! If you've thoroughly checked all your paperwork and still can't find it, don't panic about the weekly certification deadline. You can file for an extension if you miss it due to system access issues, but you'll need to call and explain the situation. One thing that helped me was organizing all the DOL paperwork by date received and going through each piece systematically. Sometimes they send the PIN information separately from the main determination letter, so it might arrive a few days later. The key is to keep calling early in the morning until you get through - persistence really does pay off with their phone system.

Just went through this nightmare myself last week! After reading through all these helpful responses, I want to add that if you're still stuck, there's actually a "Forgot PIN" option buried in the my.ny.gov system that I almost missed. When you get to the login screen where it asks for your 8-digit PIN, look for tiny text at the bottom that says something like "Reset PIN" or "Forgot PIN" - it's not obvious at all. You'll need to answer some security questions using info from your original application (like your mother's maiden name or previous employer details). It took me about 10 minutes to reset it this way, which was way faster than trying to get through on the phone. Worth a shot before spending hours on hold!

@Sofia I'm sorry to hear about your back injury - that sounds really stressful with the potential surgery ahead. From what I understand, the key issue is whether you're considered "able and available" for work. Since you're on workers comp and haven't been cleared by your doctor, you likely won't qualify for regular unemployment benefits right now. However, I'd suggest getting clarity from your doctor about what types of work (if any) you could potentially do with your current restrictions. If there's any possibility of light duty or modified work, that could change your eligibility. Also, look into whether NYS has any disability programs that might bridge the gap while you're recovering. Hang in there!

@Sofia I went through something very similar when I injured my shoulder at work last year. The whole process is really confusing and stressful when you're already dealing with an injury. What I learned is that you need to focus on getting very specific documentation from your doctor about your work capacity. Don't just ask "can I work?" - ask for a detailed report about what physical activities you can and cannot do. For example, can you sit for extended periods? Can you lift anything? Can you type/use a computer? If your doctor says you can do sedentary work but not physical labor, that might open the door for unemployment benefits while you search for appropriate positions. Also, make sure to document everything with NYS Department of Labor - save emails, keep notes from phone calls with dates and names. The process took me about 6 weeks to sort out, but I eventually got approved for benefits while I was cleared for light duty but my employer couldn't accommodate. Don't give up, and definitely explore the state disability options that others mentioned too!

I've been filing unemployment claims with NYS DOL for about 6 months now and can confirm what others are saying - the online system stays accessible during federal holidays like Labor Day. I always stick to my regular filing schedule regardless of holidays. The key thing to remember is that while you can file on the holiday, the actual processing and payment timeline gets pushed back by one business day. So don't panic if your direct deposit doesn't arrive on the usual day - it'll just be delayed. The system is pretty reliable overall, just plan your budget around that one-day delay during holiday weeks.

I'm new to the unemployment system and this thread has been really helpful! I was panicking about Labor Day too since I just started filing last month. From what everyone is saying, it sounds like the main thing is just to expect that one business day delay in processing. Does anyone know if this same rule applies to other federal holidays throughout the year, or is Labor Day different somehow? I want to make sure I'm prepared for future holidays too.

I'm in a similar situation right now - just got laid off from my remote job last week and about to file. This thread is super helpful! One thing I'm wondering about is whether the work location affects anything else like which local job center I'd need to contact if they require in-person meetings? My company was based in NYC but I'm way upstate near Albany. Has anyone dealt with that aspect of remote work and unemployment?

This is really helpful information for all of us dealing with remote work unemployment situations! I just wanted to add that when you're filling out the application, there's usually a section where you can add notes or explanations. I'd recommend mentioning that you worked remotely in that section, even though you're using the employer's Manhattan address as your work location. That way if there are any questions during processing, the context is already there. Also, keep copies of any emails or documentation that show your remote work arrangement was approved by your employer - it can help if they need to verify your work situation later.