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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.
Thanks for sharing! I've been trying to call for days with no luck.
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.
Thanks for the update! This is a perfect example of how the process should work. You identified the issue, gathered the proper documentation, submitted through the correct channels, and followed up to confirm receipt. Please do let us know the outcome - it helps others understand how the system works when things go right.
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!
Glad to hear it's resolved! For future reference (for anyone reading this thread), any change to your account information - address, phone, bank details - can trigger a security hold. It's always best to make these changes early in your certification week to give the system time to process before your payment date.
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.
Same here! I had no clue about this either. It's crazy that they don't warn you about potential delays when you update your address. Definitely going to plan ahead when I move later this year. This whole thread should be pinned somewhere - so much useful info from people who've actually been through it!
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! 🤞
Wow, sounds like we're in almost identical situations! It's both comforting and frustrating to see so many people going through the same thing. I'm definitely going to call tomorrow and ask specifically about that release code thing - seems like that's the key step everyone's mentioning. Really appreciate you saying you'll update when yours comes through - I'll do the same! This thread has been more helpful than any official DOL info I've found. Fingers crossed we both see our money soon! 🤞
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! 💪
This is exactly the kind of detailed breakdown I needed to hear! Thank you for explaining the difference between removing the hold vs actually releasing payments - that makes so much sense why there's such variability in people's experiences. I'm definitely calling back tomorrow armed with those specific questions you listed. It's reassuring to know that 5 business days seems to be pretty typical, and that the backpay usually hits all at once. Really appreciate you taking the time to share what you learned from your experience!
Kai Santiago
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.
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Ravi Malhotra
•I'm in almost the exact same boat - filed in early November too and still pending! It's so frustrating not knowing what's happening behind the scenes. I haven't tried the local career center yet, that's actually a really good idea. Did they give you any insight into your case when you contacted them? I'm definitely keeping records of everything too, seems like that's the smart move with how unpredictable this process has been.
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Aria Khan
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!
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Malik Davis
•That's really helpful advice about contacting the assemblyperson's office - I hadn't thought of that option! I do have my layoff letter and all the documentation from when they let our whole department go, so hopefully that will help speed things along once they actually look at my case. It's just so hard not knowing if there's an issue or if they're just backed up. Thanks for the encouragement about the weekly certifications too - sometimes it feels pointless when nothing's happening but good to know it matters for the back pay.
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