Just to be clear for anyone else reading this thread: When your benefit days reach zero but your benefit year is still active, you need to: 1. Determine if you qualify for any extensions (based on current economic indicators and your situation) 2. Speak directly with a claims specialist who can check your eligibility 3. Have them manually add the extension application to your portal if you qualify 4. Complete the extension application 5. Wait for approval (usually 1-2 weeks) The system won't automatically show extension options to everyone because eligibility varies based on multiple factors. And yes, getting through on the phone is unfortunately the most challenging part of this process.

Final update: I used Claimyr and finally got through to someone! The agent said my account needed a manual override because I qualified for Extended Benefits but the system hadn't triggered it properly due to a glitch. They fixed it and now I can see the extension application in my portal. Just submitted it and they said it should be processed within 5-7 business days. Such a relief! Thanks everyone for your help!

After all thia drama with my overpayment, I printed out EVERYTHING and kept copies of ALL my communications with them. They kept changing their story about why I owed money!!! Trust me, document EVERYTHING when dealing with unemployment!!!!

I'm glad you've submitted the hardship waiver. While waiting for the response, you might also want to request an explanation of the overpayment if you haven't received one. Call or check your online message center for a document explaining exactly which week(s) were overpaid and why. Sometimes it's a simple reporting error that can be corrected. And yes, to reassure you again - your benefits will continue with the recoupment deduction applied until the overpayment is satisfied. If your hardship waiver is approved, you'll see the deduction amount decrease in future payments.

Just to give you a bit more insight: The verification backlog is especially bad this quarter because of the system update they rolled out in March 2025. There's a technical issue where some verified accounts are getting stuck in a "verified but pending release" status. The good news is that once an agent manually reviews your case, they can usually fix it immediately and release all your backpay at once.

UPDATE: I finally got through to someone! I used that Claimyr service that was suggested here and got connected to a claims specialist in about 25 minutes. Turns out my account was stuck in something called "post-verification review status" which doesn't show up anywhere on the customer-facing side of the system. The agent cleared it while I was on the phone and said my backpay for all 4 weeks should arrive within 3-5 business days. She also noted my account so this shouldn't happen again. Such a relief! Will update when the money actually hits my account.

Update: I finally got through on the Tel-Service line and completed my certification! Took about 12 tries but eventually connected. Thanks everyone for your help. For anyone else having trouble, keep trying the phone system at 1-888-581-5812. The website is still giving me the error message.

websites back up now just fyi

I'm convinced they deliberately delay these DocuSign emails to avoid paying us what they owe! My friend in Buffalo got hers right away, but everyone I know in NYC had to wait weeks. It's like they're playing games with our money while we can't pay rent! The whole system is designed to make us give up.

Update from my experience: After you complete the DocuSign, you'll get a confirmation email. Keep this as proof! I had to reference mine when following up about my back pay. Also, when the back payments do process, they might come in separate batches rather than all at once. For me, 3 weeks came in the first payment, then the other 4 weeks came two days later. Don't panic if you only see partial payment at first. The payment release date shown in your payment history might also be different from when it actually hits your bank account or debit card, usually 1-2 business days later.

Hey everyone! Just an update - I just got through on the website! Seems like they fixed whatever was going on. Try it now if you're still having issues.

For future reference, the NYSDOL actually posts system outages and maintenance schedules on their Twitter account @NYSLabor. They don't always update it immediately when there's an unexpected issue, but it's worth checking there first to see if there's a known problem before you spend hours trying to get through.

Update: I checked the Message Center like someone suggested and found a request for additional employment verification that was sent 4 days ago! No email notification or anything. Uploaded the documents they needed right away. Hopefully this speeds things up! Thank you all for the help!

My sister waited 2 weeks after approval for her first payment, but that was because her last employer contested her claim. Once that was resolved the money came within 2 days. Did you leave your last job voluntarily? That can cause delays too.

UPDATE: It's been 5 days and nothing yet. Called again today and waited 1.5 hours to speak to someone. They said my backpay was "in process" and that I should see it "soon" but wouldn't give me an exact timeline. Frustrating, but at least it's supposedly moving forward. Will keep updating.

FINAL UPDATE: Just wanted to close the loop on this. My backpay finally came through today - 9 days after speaking with the specialist (not the 3 days promised). It came as two separate deposits a few hours apart. So for anyone still waiting - it does eventually happen, but be prepared for longer timeframes than what they tell you. Don't give up!

My cousin waited till his BYE date and got denied anyway. whole system is a joke

Just to clarify for anyone reading this thread in the future: If you exhaust your benefits before your BYE date, you have two main options: 1. If you've worked since filing your original claim and earned enough in at least two quarters (typically 10x your weekly benefit amount), you can file a new claim immediately. 2. If you haven't worked enough, you need to wait until your BYE date to file a new claim, unless there are special extension programs available. Don't risk a gap in payments by waiting until the last minute. Start the process as soon as you see you only have a few weeks of benefits remaining.

Glad to hear it! This confirms they're following the standard sequential release pattern. You should see the remaining payments arrive one by one over the next few business days. If for any reason they don't all appear by early next week, that would be the appropriate time to contact NYSDOL for clarification. But based on what you've described, the system is working as designed in your case.

So happy for you!! Mine came like that too - one per day for most of them, then the last two came together on the fourth day. The DOL really should explain this better on their website instead of making everyone panic and think something's wrong!