The system is so messed up anyway, they probably won't even notice you're pregnant unless you tell them lol. Just keep filing your weekly claims and looking for work like anyone else would.

I went through this exact situation two years ago when I was pregnant with my daughter. NYS Department of Labor was actually really straightforward about it - they don't ask about pregnancy status during the application process, and as long as you can honestly answer "yes" to being able and available for work, you're good to go. The weekly certification questions are pretty standard too. Just make sure you're actively applying to jobs and keeping records of your job search activities. I collected benefits for about 3 months before finding a new position, and pregnancy never came up as an issue. You've got enough to worry about right now, so don't stress about this part!

Thank you everyone for all the info! I'm going to file a new claim during my last week and hope for the best. I'll make sure to gather all my gig work documentation just in case they need proof of some employment. This is all so stressful!

Just wanted to add that if you do get denied for a new claim, don't give up! You can appeal the decision and also look into other assistance programs while you're waiting. In NYC there's emergency rental assistance, SNAP benefits, and some local food banks that can help bridge the gap. Also check if your county has any emergency cash assistance programs - some do offer short-term help for people transitioning between benefit periods. The whole system is really complicated but there are other safety nets out there if you know where to look.

hang in there OP. i was in your EXACT situation last year. took 13 weeks (!!!) but i eventually got every penny. the system is awful but don't give up

I'm so sorry you're going through this nightmare. The stress of waiting months without any income while bills pile up is absolutely crushing. I've been reading through all these responses and it seems like the key is getting to an actual human who can look at your specific case. The automated system and general reps just give you the runaround. Have you tried that specific phone number sequence that @Yara Elias shared? Also, the suggestion about contacting your state senator (not just representative) seems to have worked for multiple people here. Document everything like @Miguel Castro suggested - dates, times, names, what they told you. That paper trail becomes crucial if you need to escalate further. Don't lose hope - I know it feels impossible right now but people ARE getting through this broken system and getting their back pay. You've already made it this far, you can push through a little longer. 💪

It's working now! Just logged in successfully. Must have been fixed in the last hour.

Glad to see it's working again! I was having the same issue earlier today and was getting really stressed about missing my certification. For future reference, does anyone know if there's a way to get notifications when the site goes down? It would be helpful to know about outages instead of spending hours thinking it's just my computer acting up.

Pro tip: if you can't get through on the phone, try reaching out on social media. Sometimes their Twitter team is more responsive than the phone lines. worth a shot! 🤷‍♂️

Hey Isaac! I just went through this process last month and managed to get my claim backdated about 3 weeks. A few things that really helped me: 1. Call first thing in the morning (like 8 AM sharp) - way better chance of getting through 2. Have your SSN, employment dates, and employer info ready before you dial 3. Be honest about why you delayed filing - they're more understanding than you'd think 4. If they ask for documentation, email it the same day The whole call took about 45 minutes once I got through, and they were able to process the backdating right away. Just be patient with the hold times - it's worth it to get those extra weeks of benefits! Good luck with your call! 🤞