UPDATE: You guys are all amazing! We followed the advice about uploading his wage documents with a letter specifically requesting "monetary redetermination" and "claim backdating" (used those exact terms). Called at 8:01am this morning and got through after only 4 attempts! The claims specialist confirmed there was a wage verification flag and that the ID.me completion hadn't fully processed in their system. She was able to fix both issues during the call, and said payments should start processing within 3-5 business days including the back weeks! THANK YOU ALL for your help - this community saved us so much stress and confusion!

This is such great news and a perfect example of why this community is so valuable! Your success story gives hope to everyone dealing with similar NYSDOL nightmares. The fact that you got through in just 4 calls at 8am and found a knowledgeable claims specialist proves that persistence and the right terminology really do make a difference. For anyone else reading this thread dealing with similar issues, this shows the importance of: 1. Using specific terms like "monetary redetermination" and "claim backdating" 2. Uploading wage documents before calling 3. Calling right at 8am when the lines open 4. Asking specifically for a claims specialist Thanks for taking the time to update us with the resolution - it's going to help so many people who find this thread in the future!

Just make sure you're honest about everything when you file your weekly claims. They audit people all the time and if they find out you weren't reporting business income correctly you could owe back all the benefits plus penalties.

I went through this exact situation about 8 months ago when I started doing freelance graphic design work. The key thing I learned is that you absolutely have to report ALL income from your business activities, even if it's just $20 here and there. NYS Department of Labor considers any work you do for pay as "employment" regardless of whether you're W2 or 1099. I kept detailed records of every client payment and reported it on my weekly certifications. As long as you're genuinely still job searching (and can prove it with applications), you should be okay. Just be prepared for your weekly benefit amount to fluctuate based on what you earn from the business each week.

I'm dealing with the exact same frustration! Been trying to reach NY unemployment for almost 3 weeks now and it's like they don't want us to get through. My claim has been "pending review" since early February and every time I call, I either get disconnected after waiting for hours or the system just hangs up on me completely. It's ridiculous that we have to jump through so many hoops just to talk to someone about our own benefits. Reading through everyone's experiences here, it sounds like this is a widespread problem and not just bad luck on my part. I'm going to try some of the suggestions mentioned - the early morning calling trick and maybe that Claimyr service if I get desperate enough. Has anyone had any luck with reaching out to local elected officials? I'm wondering if that's worth trying too.

I just went through this exact same nightmare last month! After reading all these comments, I wanted to share what finally worked for me. I tried the early morning calling (7:58am) trick that @Aisha mentioned for about a week straight with no luck. Then I combined it with calling the alternative number @Tyrone suggested (888-209-8124) AND selecting the Spanish option first. Even though I don't speak Spanish, when I got connected I just said "English please" and they transferred me to a bilingual agent. The whole process took about 45 minutes total wait time. The agent explained that my claim was also stuck in that new January verification system - apparently thousands of claims are backed up because of this policy change. She was able to clear it immediately and I got my benefits deposited 2 days later. Don't give up! The system is definitely broken but there are ways around it if you keep trying different approaches.

I just went through this same process a couple months ago after getting laid off from my restaurant job. The NYS Department of Labor calculation definitely isn't straightforward at first! What really helped me understand it was looking at my actual quarterly wage statements - you can usually find these on your pay stubs or request them from HR. Since you worked 8 months at $18/hour, you likely have wages in at least 2-3 quarters which should meet the minimum requirements. One tip: when you file your claim, make sure all your employer information is exactly right (business name, address, etc.) because any errors can delay your processing. Also keep track of your job search activities from day one since you'll need to report them weekly to maintain eligibility. The waiting can be stressful but having that weekly benefit amount definitely helps bridge the gap while you're looking for your next opportunity.

I can definitely relate to the confusion about NY unemployment calculations! When I got laid off from my office job last year, I spent hours trying to figure out what I'd actually receive. The key thing that helped me was understanding that NYS looks at your "base period" which is typically the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you file. Since you've been working 8 months at $18/hour, you should have a solid wage history. I'd recommend filing your claim ASAP - don't wait trying to optimize timing because you'll lose potential benefit weeks. Also, definitely gather all your pay stubs and employment info before starting the online application. The process took about 10 days for me to get my first payment, but having everything organized upfront really helped speed things along. One last tip: start documenting your job search activities immediately since you'll need to report them weekly to maintain eligibility. Good luck with both the claim and finding your next job!

Same thing here - got the scary letter but it was just their computer system being dumb. As long as you've been honest about your work and reporting everything on your weekly claims you should be fine.

I went through this exact same thing last year! The "potential overpayment" notice scared me too but it really is just their standard review process. In my case, it was because I had reported some freelance work but the timing of when I got paid versus when I reported it on my weekly certification got mixed up in their system. I gathered all my documentation - pay stubs, bank statements showing deposit dates, and screenshots of my weekly claim submissions - and sent everything in before the deadline. Took about 6 weeks but they eventually cleared it and I didn't owe anything. The key is responding promptly with all your records. Don't let it stress you out too much, these automated reviews happen all the time and most get resolved in the claimant's favor when they've been reporting honestly like you have.