I had a nightmare trying to get through to NYS Department of Labor when my claim got stuck in adjudication for over a month. Kept calling the main number but could never get past the automated system. Finally found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually gets you connected to a real person at NYS Department of Labor. They have a video demo showing exactly how it works: https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI. Ended up resolving my issue the same day I talked to an agent.

ugh the whole system is so confusing!! why can't they just make it simple like other states do it?? took me forever to figure out the weekly claim thing too

just wanted to say hang in there - the waiting is the worst part but once you start getting payments it's much smoother sailing

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 had the exact same issue when I first filed! The 8-digit PIN isn't always obvious in the paperwork. Mine was actually printed on the back of one of the forms they sent - check behind all the pages. Also, if you filed online initially, they might have displayed it on the confirmation screen after you submitted your application. Some people screenshot that page but if you didn't, you're not alone in missing it. The PIN is definitely different from your SSN and claim number. If you still can't locate it anywhere, calling early morning (like 8:00-8:30 AM) tends to have shorter wait times than later in the day.

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!

The bottom line is that it really depends on your medical restrictions and what your doctor says you can do. If you're completely unable to work in any capacity, then no unemployment. But if you have limitations that prevent you from doing your old job while still being able to do other work, you might have a case. You'll need proper medical documentation though - NYS Department of Labor will want to see exactly what your work restrictions are.

@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!

THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS A MESS!!! They close for every little holiday while people are struggling to pay rent. Labor Day irony much?? At least the online part works but good luck if you actually need help with anything.

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.