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Actually, there's some logic to how they do it. Your benefit amount is based on wages you earned in your base period, which is usually the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you filed. So if you filed in August 2024, they're looking at your wages from Q4 2022 through Q3 2023. The annual adjustments reflect cost of living changes for the current year, not historical wage periods.
That makes more sense when you explain it that way. Still feels unfair though when you're dealing with current prices on old wage calculations.
yeah but what if you worked different jobs with different pay? does that change anything or is it still based on the old quarters?
It's still based on those same base period quarters regardless of job changes. NYS Department of Labor looks at ALL wages reported to them during your base period - so if you had multiple jobs or switched jobs during Q4 2022 through Q3 2023, they'd combine all those earnings to calculate your weekly benefit rate. The job changes don't reset your base period, it's always those specific quarters when you first filed your claim.
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Just wanted to say congratulations on your baby! The unemployment system is stressful enough without having a newborn to care for. You've got this mama - take care of yourself and don't let the bureaucracy overwhelm you.
I went through this exact situation last year! You definitely qualify since your position was eliminated - that's involuntary job loss, not quitting. Here's what worked for me: I filed immediately and was honest about my availability date (I said I could start work in 6-8 weeks). NYS Department of Labor approved my claim and I was able to collect benefits during that time. For the job search requirement, I did mostly online applications during nap times and counted networking calls with former coworkers. The key is being upfront about when you can realistically start work. Don't wait to file - you can always adjust your availability date later if needed. Good luck and congrats on your daughter!
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One thing I learned the hard way: take screenshots of EVERYTHING you do on the unemployment website. Every confirmation, every page, everything. If something goes wrong, you'll need proof of what you did and when you did it.
This is the best advice right here ☝️
Just went through this exact same thing last week! That confusing interface had me second-guessing everything. As everyone said, DO NOT click "File A Claim" - that's only for new claims. The fact that it says "You have already claimed benefits for this week" means your certification went through successfully. I always click "View Payment History" just to double-check that my certification shows up properly, then log out. The NY system really needs a complete overhaul - it's like they designed it to be as confusing as possible! You're all good until next Wednesday.
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Don't stress too much about the wording. The NYS Department of Labor system is pretty straightforward if you're legitimately eligible. Since you were laid off through no fault of your own, you should be fine. Just make sure you file your weekly claims on time every week and keep looking for work. Missing even one weekly claim can cause delays.
ugh the whole system is such a pain... took me 6 weeks to get my first payment and that was with everything filled out correctly. good luck!
6 weeks?? That's terrifying, I need the money to pay rent
Don't panic! 6 weeks is on the longer side. Most people I know got their first payment in 2-3 weeks. Since you have documentation from your employer about the layoff, that should help speed things up. Just make sure to file your weekly claims even while waiting for the initial approval - you can backdate those payments once everything goes through.
Yara Khoury
This is SO frustrating but unfortunately super common with NY unemployment. I went through the exact same thing last year when I moved from Syracuse to NYC. The address change basically puts your account under review for fraud prevention, but they don't tell you that! What finally worked for me was calling first thing at 8am sharp and selecting the "technical issues" option instead of the general line - seemed to have shorter wait times. Also make sure you have ALL your documents ready: lease agreement, utility bill with new address, photo ID, etc. In the meantime, definitely reach out to your local assembly member's office like others mentioned. They have direct contacts at DOL and can often get things moving faster. Don't give up - your backpay should come through once they verify everything. Hang in there! 💪
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Freya Pedersen
OMG yes!! This EXACT same thing happened to me when I moved from Westchester to Brooklyn in December. Address change triggered some kind of fraud review and my payments just... stopped. It's been 6 weeks now and I'm literally surviving on credit cards at this point. The most frustrating part is that I've been filing my weekly certifications like clockwork and they all show as "processed" but zero dollars hit my account. Called 20+ times and either get disconnected after hours on hold or told "your case is under review" with no timeline. I'm seeing a lot of people mention claimyr.com in this thread - has anyone actually used it successfully for address change issues specifically? I'm desperate enough to try anything at this point because my landlord is NOT having it with late rent payments 😭 Also going to try contacting my assembly member tomorrow based on the suggestions here. This system is absolutely broken and it's wild that we have to jump through all these hoops just to get benefits we're entitled to. Thanks for posting this @Kennedy Morrison - at least I know I'm not alone in this nightmare!
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Quinn Herbert
•@Freya Pedersen I feel your pain! Yes, I actually used claimyr for this exact issue and it worked perfectly. I was in the same boat - moved addresses and payments stopped for 5 weeks. Called them countless times with no luck. Used claimyr on a Friday morning and they got me connected to a specialist within an hour. The rep was able to lift the address verification hold immediately and my backpay showed up in my account by Tuesday. It s'worth the cost when you re'facing eviction - I calculated I was losing way more money trying to call myself for weeks. The key is asking for the address "verification department specifically" when you get connected. Regular reps can t'help with this type of hold. Good luck and don t'give up! Your money is still there, just stuck in their broken system.
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Dominique Adams
•@Freya Pedersen I m'in almost the exact same situation! Moved from Albany to NYC in January and my payments stopped after the address change. Been 3 weeks of nothing hitting my account while my certifications show processed. "It" s'so messed up that they don t'warn you this will happen when you update your address. I m'also going to try the claimyr service everyone s'mentioning since calling myself has been completely useless. Solidarity in this unemployment hell! 😤
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