ugh the whole system is so confusing why cant they just make it simple and pay people right away when they lose their job

If you're having trouble getting through to NYS Department of Labor by phone to ask questions about your application, I had success using Claimyr (claimyr.com). They have a service that helps you get connected to an actual agent without waiting on hold forever. There's a demo video at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Really helped when I had questions about my claim status.

Just wanted to update everyone - I followed the advice here and submitted my reconsideration request with all the properly labeled documentation. I also checked the box for the alternate base period since I had higher wages in my most recent quarters. I tried calling for a few days with no luck, then used that Claimyr service someone mentioned above. Got through to an agent who confirmed they received my reconsideration request and said I should have an answer within 7-10 business days. They also noted that one of my employers hadn't reported my wages correctly, which was likely the source of the calculation error. Thank you to everyone who provided actual helpful information! I'll update again when I get the final determination.

This thread is exactly what this community should be about! I've been lurking here for months seeing the same confusion over and over. Reading through all these responses, it's clear that having knowledgeable people like Laura Lopez and Brianna Muhammad makes a huge difference. For anyone else dealing with benefit calculation issues, here's what I learned from my own experience last year: Don't assume the first calculation is correct, especially if you had multiple jobs or recent pay changes. The reconsideration process really does work if you have your documentation in order. One thing I'd add - if you're self-employed or had 1099 income during your base period, make sure those earnings are included too. A lot of people forget about contractor work when gathering their wage documentation. Really hoping Debra gets a positive outcome on her reconsideration. Keep us posted!

UPDATE: I finally got through to someone using that Claimyr service! The agent confirmed there was a hold on my account due to the address change. She verified my identity and released the payment. She said it should be in my account within 1-2 business days. Such a relief! She also mentioned this happens pretty frequently with address changes and that I should always call immediately if my payment is even one day late in the future. Thanks everyone for your help!

This thread is super helpful! I'm bookmarking it because I'm planning to move next month and had no idea that changing my address would delay payments. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - now I know to call immediately if there's any delay and to make the address change early in my certification week to avoid issues.

I work at a local workforce development office and see this website issue constantly. Another option is to visit any American Job Center (One-Stop Career Center) in your area - they have staff who can help you file your initial claim on their computers which sometimes have better access to the system. You can find locations at https://www.labor.ny.gov/career-center-locator/. Also, if you do get through on the phone system, write down your confirmation number immediately - the system sometimes drops calls right after you submit. Don't give up, the first week you're eligible is when your benefit year starts, so getting it filed ASAP is crucial.

I went through this exact same frustrating experience last month! The website was constantly timing out for me too. What finally worked was calling the tel-claim line at 888-209-8124 very early in the morning (around 7:30 AM) before it gets busy. Make sure you have all your employment history for the past 18 months ready - company names, addresses, dates of employment, and reason for leaving each job. The automated system walks you through everything step by step. It took about 45 minutes total but was much less stressful than fighting with the website. You'll still need to set up your online account later for weekly certifications, but at least you'll get your initial claim filed and your benefit year started. Don't let the website issues delay you any longer - time is money with unemployment benefits!

I'm dealing with almost the exact same situation right now! My hold was removed on Monday and I'm still waiting to see any payments come through. Reading everyone's experiences here is both reassuring and nerve-wracking - sounds like it could be anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. The inconsistency is what's driving me crazy. Like some of you mentioned, it seems totally random whether you get an agent who can actually help or one who just gives you the runaround. I'm going to take the advice about calling back to ask specifically about the "release code" and whether they've actually triggered the payment release (not just removed the hold). Thanks to everyone who shared their timelines and tips - it helps to know I'm not alone in this mess. Will update this thread when my payments finally come through in case it helps anyone else! 🤞

Just went through this exact same thing last month! The waiting after they say "hold removed" is honestly the worst part because you have no idea if it's actually processing or if something else went wrong. In my case, it took exactly 5 business days from when they told me the hold was lifted to when I actually saw money in my account. But here's what I learned - there's apparently a difference between "removing the hold" and actually "releasing the payments for processing." Some agents do both steps at once, others forget the second part. When you call back (and definitely do call back if you don't see anything by Thursday/Friday), ask them specifically: 1. Has the hold been removed? (sounds like yes for you) 2. Has the payment release been processed/triggered? 3. What's the status of your payment queue? Also keep an eye on your payment history in the online portal - sometimes it'll show "released" there before it hits your bank account, which at least gives you peace of mind that it's moving through the system. The good news is once it starts flowing, all your backpay should come through pretty quickly. I got 7 weeks worth all at once. Stay strong, you're almost there! 💪