Make sure u get everything in writing and keep copies of EVERYTHING. Also the hearing might be by phone now instead of in person so that makes it easier

I went through a very similar situation about 6 months ago - also got denied for "misconduct" when it was clearly a layoff due to company restructuring. The appeal process was intimidating at first but totally worth it. A few key things that helped me: 1) File your appeal ASAP - you really do only have 30 days, 2) Keep filing your weekly certifications even though you're not getting paid (this was crucial advice I got here), 3) For the hearing, I wrote out a timeline of exactly what happened with dates and kept it simple and factual. The judge was actually very fair and asked good questions. I won my appeal and got all the back pay. Don't let them intimidate you - if you were truly laid off due to downsizing, you have a strong case. Stay organized and stick to the facts!

I'm so sorry you're going through this - 9 months is absolutely unconscionable. I went through something similar (though only 4 months) and what finally broke it loose was a combination of things others have mentioned here. One thing I'll add that helped me: when you do get through to someone at NYSDOL, ask them to read you the specific "issue codes" or flags on your account. Don't let them just say "under review" - insist they tell you the actual codes. Write them down and ask what each one means. Sometimes the phone reps don't even look at the details, but if you push for specifics, they'll actually investigate your file. Also, if you're on Facebook, there are some NY unemployment groups where people share real-time info about which phone numbers are getting through faster on any given day. The main number isn't always the best option. Hang in there - with this level of delay, when it does get resolved you should get a substantial lump sum that will help you catch up. But I know that doesn't help with rent due next week. Definitely try the assembly member route ASAP.

Hey Gavin, I just wanted to reach out because I went through almost the exact same nightmare with NYSDOL last year. 8 months of waiting, constant "pending" status, and getting absolutely nowhere with phone calls. What finally worked for me was a combination of what Morgan and Lucas suggested - contacting my assembly member AND filing a complaint with the Inspector General. But here's the key thing that made the difference: I also submitted a written request for a "supervisory review" through the online portal. There's actually a form buried in the system specifically for cases that have been pending over 90 days without action. The magic happened when all three things converged - suddenly I had three different offices asking NYSDOL about my case at the same time, and within 48 hours someone actually looked at my file and found the issue (a computer glitch that had incorrectly flagged me as having an open claim from 2019 that was already resolved). Also, when you call your assembly member, mention the specific timeline - 9 months is actually grounds for them to escalate this as an emergency constituent services case. Most reps' offices have seen enough of these NYSDOL disasters that they know exactly how to handle them. You're so close to getting this resolved. Don't give up now!

I went through this exact nightmare last year. Got the "assigned to a worker" update in June and didn't see a penny until September - 3 full months. What finally worked for me was a combination approach: I contacted my state senator's office (they have constituent services specifically for this), kept calling DOL every other day, AND used that Claimyr service people mentioned to actually get through to supervisors. The state senator's office was honestly the game changer - they have direct contacts at DOL and can flag urgent cases. Don't give up, the backpay when it finally comes through will cover everything you're owed. I know it doesn't help with bills right now, but also look into local food banks and emergency assistance programs while you wait. This system is absolutely broken but persistence does eventually pay off.

I'm going through this exact situation right now too! Filed in January, got the "assigned to a worker" update about 3 weeks ago, and still nothing. The financial stress is absolutely killing me - I'm behind on everything and my credit is starting to tank. Reading through everyone's experiences here is both reassuring and terrifying at the same time. Sounds like it could be anywhere from a few more weeks to several more months. I'm definitely going to try contacting my state representative's office based on all the success stories here - seems like that's the most consistent way to actually get results. Also probably going to bite the bullet and try that Claimyr service since I'm spending hours every day trying to get through anyway. This whole system is just designed to wear people down until they give up. Hang in there Aaron, we're all in this nightmare together! 💪

I just want to echo what others have said - this is 100% a scam. I'm a fraud investigator and we're seeing these fake DocuSign unemployment emails everywhere right now. The scammers are specifically targeting people who are already stressed about their benefits, knowing they're more likely to act quickly without thinking it through. Here's the key thing to remember: legitimate government agencies will NEVER ask you to re-verify information you already provided during your initial application. NY unemployment already has your SSN, address, employment history - everything they need. The best protection is to never click links in emails claiming to be from government agencies. Always go directly to the official website (labor.ny.gov for NY unemployment) and log into your account there. If there's a legitimate issue requiring your attention, it will show up in your secure message center. For anyone who might have already submitted information through one of these fake forms, act fast: freeze your credit with all three bureaus (it's free), change your passwords, monitor your accounts closely, and file reports with both the FTC and NYSDOL fraud department. The sooner you act, the better you can protect yourself from further damage. Stay safe everyone - these scammers are ruthless and they're not going away anytime soon.

I actually fell for one of these DocuSign scams about a month ago and it was a nightmare. The email looked completely legitimate - had all the right logos, formatting, even what appeared to be official case numbers. I was so stressed about my benefits being delayed that I didn't think twice before entering my SSN and other info. Within a week, someone tried to open credit cards in my name and I started getting calls from debt collectors about accounts I never opened. Had to spend hours on the phone with credit bureaus, banks, and filing police reports. The whole experience was absolutely terrifying. What really gets me is how they prey on people who are already in vulnerable financial situations. When you're unemployed and desperate for benefits, you're not thinking as clearly about potential scams - you just want to make sure nothing delays your payments. For anyone reading this: if you get ANY email asking for personal info (even if it looks official), just go directly to the labor.ny.gov website and log into your account. That's the only way to know for sure what's legitimate. I learned this lesson the hard way so hopefully others don't have to go through what I did. The fraud investigators I worked with told me these scams are becoming incredibly sophisticated and they're seeing hundreds of cases like mine every month. Stay vigilant out there!

Just want to emphasize what others have said - definitely file with NYS Department of Labor since you've been working from Buffalo. I went through this exact situation a few months ago (remote work for an out-of-state company) and NYS processed my claim without any issues. One tip: when you file online, make sure to clearly indicate that you were working remotely from New York in the work location section. It helps avoid any confusion during the review process. The whole application took me about 45 minutes to complete, and I started receiving benefits within 2 weeks.

Another thing to keep in mind - when you file with NYS Department of Labor, they might ask for verification that you were actually working from New York. I'd recommend gathering some documentation like utility bills, lease agreement, or other proof showing you were physically residing and working in Buffalo during your employment period. Also, if your California employer has any questions about the unemployment claim, they'll be dealing with NY state rather than their home state system, which sometimes causes minor delays in their response to benefit verification requests. But this shouldn't affect your eligibility at all since you clearly meet NY's requirements.