I'm going through something similar right now - filed in June, approved, but only got 3 payments before everything just stopped. It's incredibly frustrating because like you, I keep certifying every week but my account just shows "pending" with zero explanation. One thing I discovered is that you can also try reaching out through their Twitter account @nylabor - they sometimes respond faster there than through phone calls. I sent them a DM with my claim details and got a response within 48 hours (though they just told me to keep waiting, at least it was acknowledgment). Also, if you have any documentation from your previous employer about your termination/layoff, make sure you have copies ready. Sometimes they request this stuff randomly during reviews and having it ready can speed things up. Hang in there - from what I'm reading here it seems like most people eventually get their payments, it's just a matter of persistence. The system is clearly broken but we have to work within it unfortunately.

I'm dealing with almost the exact same situation! Filed in late June, got approved with a $520 weekly benefit, but haven't seen a penny since August. It's now been 10 weeks of certifying with nothing but "pending" status. What's really helped me so far is documenting EVERYTHING - screenshots of my account status, dates I called, any emails or messages. I started a spreadsheet to track it all because I have a feeling I'll need this documentation later. Also, try calling the technical support line instead of the regular claims line sometimes - the number is 888-581-5812. I've had slightly better luck getting through there, and they can at least confirm if there are any technical issues with your account. One thing that's kept me sane through this process is remembering that once it gets resolved, you should receive all the back payments for every week you properly certified. So even though it's financially devastating right now, the money is technically accumulating. Doesn't help with immediate bills though... Keep pushing - from reading everyone's responses here it seems like persistence is really the only way through this broken system.

yeah the system is always up but it crashes sometimes on mondays when everyone files their weekly claims at the same time lol

I work in HR and deal with unemployment claims regularly - definitely file your initial claim today! The NYS DOL system is available 24/7 at my.ny.gov, and like others mentioned, your benefit year starts from when you file, not when you were laid off. Pro tip: if you're filing late at night or early morning, the system tends to be faster since there's less traffic. Also, have your last employer's full legal name and address handy, plus your recent pay stubs if possible. The system will ask for your gross wages from the last 18 months, so having that info ready will make the process smoother.

Just because an employer is exempt from FUTA doesn't mean you can't collect unemployment. The key things that matter for NYS Department of Labor eligibility are whether you earned enough wages in covered employment and whether you lost your job through no fault of your own. Check your earnings statement on the my.ny.gov portal to see if your wages were reported.

I think people get confused because there are different types of exemptions. Some employers are exempt from paying federal unemployment tax but still have to pay state unemployment insurance. Others might be exempt from both. The NYS Department of Labor website has a whole section explaining covered vs non-covered employment if you want to dig deeper into it.

Same thing happened to me last month! Turns out there was some kind of identity verification hold that didn't show up anywhere obvious on my account. Took calling NYS Department of Labor to find out what was going on.

If your payment history shows 'issued' but you haven't received it, there might be a bank routing issue or your claim could be flagged for review. Sometimes NYS Department of Labor does random audits that freeze payments temporarily. You'll need to speak with someone to get the real story.

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Filed in mid-November and still stuck in pending adjudication. What's really frustrating is how little information they give you about what's actually happening or when you might hear back. I've been keeping detailed records of all my weekly certifications and any correspondence, just in case there are issues later. Have you tried reaching out to your local career center? Sometimes they can provide updates or at least help you understand what stage your claim is in. Hang in there - I know how stressful it is when bills are piling up and you're just waiting in limbo.

I'm so sorry you're going through this stress - 6 weeks without any payment is really tough, especially during the holidays. One thing that might help is contacting your state assemblyperson or senator's office. They often have constituent services that can make inquiries on your behalf to NYS DOL and sometimes get faster responses than individuals calling directly. Also, if you haven't already, make sure you have documentation of your layoff (like a layoff notice or separation letter) readily available in case they request it. The fact that 30 people were laid off should actually work in your favor since it clearly establishes the reason for separation. Keep hanging in there and definitely keep doing those weekly certifications!