Unpopular opinion maybe, but I actually prefer certifying Sunday night cuz the website is way less glitchy than Sunday morning when EVERYONE is trying to log in at once. Never had an issue with payment timing.

You should be totally fine! I've been certifying late Sunday nights for months (usually between 10-11:30pm) and my payments always hit Tuesday morning like clockwork. The system processes everything submitted on Sunday in the same batch regardless of what time you did it. As long as you got that confirmation number, you're good to go. The rent stress is real though - I feel you on that! 🤞

Also make sure you file during your designated day if you're doing weekly claims later. But for the initial claim filing, any day should work once you get past the system issues.

I filed my initial claim last month and had the same frustrating experience with the system errors. What finally worked for me was trying around 11 PM on a weeknight - the system was much more responsive then. Also, before you start, make sure you have your W-2s or paystubs ready for ALL employers from the last 18 months, not just your most recent job. The system will ask for specific dates, wages, and reasons for leaving each job. Having everything organized beforehand saved me from having to restart multiple times when the system timed out.

Just wanted to add that timing matters too. You need to file your unemployment claim as soon as possible after the business closure. NYS Department of Labor has specific timeframes for filing and you don't want to miss the deadline. Also make sure you're prepared to do the weekly job search requirements once your claim is approved - the rules still apply even though your business closed.

I'm in a similar boat - had to close my small marketing agency last year due to the pandemic's lasting effects on my client base. The key thing I learned is that you absolutely need to have been classified as a W-2 employee of your LLC and paying unemployment insurance taxes. I was lucky because my accountant had set it up that way from the beginning. When I filed my claim, I had to provide documentation showing the business closure (I used my final business tax filing and a letter explaining the closure reasons). The whole process took about 3 weeks for approval. One tip: be very clear in your application that you were an employee of the business, not just the owner - that distinction matters to them.

Just went through this myself! Got my first payment exactly 3 weeks after filing. The key is making sure you certify for benefits every week even during the waiting period.

I'm in a similar situation - filed my claim 10 days ago after being laid off from my marketing job. The uncertainty is really tough, especially with monthly expenses coming up. From what I've read on the DOL website, they recommend calling if your claim has been pending for more than 4 weeks, but getting through on the phone seems nearly impossible. Has anyone had luck with the online chat feature during business hours?

I went through the same anxiety when I first started collecting! The reality is that NYS DOL is looking for unreported work income, not your legitimate savings. I had about $3,000 in my account when I filed and was worried they'd think I didn't need benefits, but it never came up. Your pre-unemployment savings are completely separate from your eligibility - the program is about replacing lost wages, not based on your assets. Just keep being honest on your weekly certifications about any work you do (or don't do) and you'll be fine. The stress isn't worth it - focus on your job search instead!

I can relate to this anxiety so much! When I first started collecting unemployment benefits, I had similar concerns about my savings account. What helped me was actually calling the NYS DOL directly (though it took forever to get through) and asking this exact question. The representative explained that unemployment benefits are designed to replace lost wages from employment - they're not means-tested based on your assets or savings. As long as you're honestly reporting any work you do (or don't do) on your weekly certifications, your pre-existing savings won't affect your eligibility. The important thing is being truthful about your work status and any income you earn while collecting benefits. Don't let the worry consume you - you're doing everything right by filing your weekly claims properly!