I'm dealing with this exact nightmare right now and it's honestly a relief to find this thread! I've been stuck trying to certify for almost 2 weeks with constant website crashes and have probably called 50+ times with nothing but busy signals or that automated system that just hangs up. The financial stress is getting really overwhelming when you're already unemployed and can't even access the help you're entitled to. Reading through everyone's experiences and solutions here has been incredibly helpful though! I'm definitely going to try that automated phone certification number (1-888-581-5812) that @Aaron shared first thing tomorrow morning, along with the early morning calling strategy at 6am. It's absolutely ridiculous that we have to become experts at gaming a broken system just to get our benefits, but I'm so grateful everyone is sharing what actually works. The fact that so many people have eventually gotten through after weeks of struggle gives me hope that persistence will pay off. This community support is honestly a lifeline when the official system completely fails us. Will definitely update if any of these methods work for me!

I'm going through the exact same nightmare and just discovered this thread - what a lifesaver! I've been trying to certify for over 2 weeks now with constant website crashes and have made probably 70+ phone calls with nothing but busy signals or that automated hangup message. The financial stress is getting really scary when you're unemployed and can't even access the benefits system that's supposed to help you survive. Thank you everyone for sharing all these solutions! I'm definitely going to try that automated phone certification number (1-888-581-5812) that @Aaron mentioned first thing tomorrow morning, along with the early morning calling strategy at 6am using that button sequence (1, then 6, then 1). It's absolutely ridiculous that we need a whole community guide just to navigate a system that should work properly, but I'm so grateful for all the tips and knowing I'm not alone in this mess. Seeing so many people eventually get through after weeks of struggle gives me hope that persistence will pay off. This thread has been like finding a lifeline when the official system completely abandons us. Will definitely update if any of these methods work for me - fingers crossed!

I'm going through this EXACT same nightmare right now! Filed my claim in mid-February and have been stuck at $0 with 104 effective days for about 6 weeks. Like everyone else here, I also had multiple employers last year - worked at a bookstore until July, then started at a small IT company that laid me off in January due to budget cuts. The pattern from all these comments is so clear - multiple employers definitely triggers this review hell! I've called NYSDOL about 18 times and always get that same robotic "your claim is under review" response with absolutely no details about what they're actually reviewing or any timeline. This thread has been incredibly helpful - I had no idea about asking specifically for adjudication details or trying to reach a Tier 2 specialist. I'm definitely going to try sending a secure message through my account asking exactly what's being reviewed, and when I call next I'll use that specific language about adjudication. It's such a relief to know this isn't just my claim that's broken - clearly this is a massive systemic issue with how they handle multiple employer situations. The complete lack of transparency is honestly the worst part when you're already stressed about bills piling up. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and advice - at least we know we're not alone in this mess!

I'm experiencing this EXACT same situation and it's such a relief to find this thread! Filed my NY unemployment claim in early March and have been stuck at $0 with 104 effective days for about 3 weeks now. Just like literally everyone else here, I also had multiple employers last year - worked at a restaurant until September, then got a job at a healthcare clinic that laid me off in February due to restructuring. The multiple employer pattern is so obvious from reading all these comments! It's clearly what's triggering these endless "reviews" with zero transparency. I've called about 12 times so far and always get that same infuriating "your claim is under review" script with no specifics whatsoever. This thread has been incredibly valuable - I had no idea about asking for adjudication details or trying to reach a Tier 2 specialist. I'm definitely going to try the secure messaging approach through my account and use that specific language when I call next. It's both comforting and maddening to see so many people dealing with this identical issue. At least now I know this is a systemic problem and not something wrong with my specific application. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and advice - hoping we all get some movement on our claims soon because the financial stress is really getting to me!

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - my claim has been stuck with an "outstanding issue" for over 2 weeks and I can't get through on the phone. Reading through all these responses is really helpful! I think I'm going to try the Claimyr service first since Leo had success with it, and if that doesn't work I'll look into scheduling a virtual appointment since those seem to be available sooner than in-person ones. It's frustrating that the system is so backed up, but at least there are some options besides waiting a month for an appointment. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences!

I just want to echo what others have said about the appointment-only policy - it's really frustrating when you're dealing with time-sensitive issues like rent payments. I had a similar experience last month where my claim got flagged for "review" and it took forever to resolve. One thing I learned is that if you do get an appointment (virtual or in-person), make sure to have ALL your documents ready - ID, Social Security card, any letters from NYSDOL, pay stubs, termination paperwork, etc. The agents can usually resolve most issues in one session if you have everything they need. Also, if you're considering the Claimyr service, I'd say it's worth trying since the alternative is potentially waiting weeks. The phone system really is impossible to navigate on your own. Hang in there - these issues do get resolved eventually, but I know that doesn't help when bills are due now.

As someone completely new to the unemployment system, this entire discussion has been incredibly eye-opening! I had no clue that per diem workers could qualify for benefits while still technically employed - I always thought you had to be completely laid off or terminated. Reading through everyone's real experiences with NYS Department of Labor has taught me so much more than any official website could. The common themes I'm seeing are: be completely honest about your situation, document every attempt to get shifts, and emphasize that you're available for full-time work elsewhere. It's really encouraging to see how many people have successfully navigated this process and how supportive this community is. For anyone else who's new to this like me, it seems like the key is understanding that getting zero hours through no fault of your own essentially makes you unemployed, even if you're still on the roster. Thanks to everyone for sharing such detailed experiences - it's making what seemed like an impossible situation feel much more manageable!

This has been such a helpful thread to read through as someone who's never dealt with unemployment before! I'm actually in a somewhat similar situation - I've been doing per diem work at a local medical office for about 6 months, but my hours have dropped from around 15-20 per week down to maybe 2-3 hours in the past month. Reading everyone's experiences here has really clarified that per diem workers can qualify for benefits when work availability drops significantly, even while still technically employed. The consistent advice about documenting contact attempts with your employer and being transparent about your situation seems crucial. It's encouraging to see how understanding NYS Department of Labor has been with these cases. I think I'm going to start keeping better records of when I ask for shifts and what they tell me about availability. Thanks to everyone who shared their real-world experiences - it's made this whole process seem much less intimidating!

Just wanted to add my experience since I'm seeing so many people going through the same thing! I was stuck at $0 for about 5 months after filing in March 2024. What finally got mine moving was calling the regular unemployment line (not telecert) and asking to speak with a "claims specialist" specifically - not just any rep. The specialist was able to see exactly what documents were missing from my file and told me they never received half the stuff I thought I had uploaded successfully. Turns out their system has been having issues with file uploads and a lot of documents just disappear into the void. She had me re-upload everything during our call and also added notes to my file explaining the situation. Got approved within 2 weeks after that call and received about $7k in back pay. My advice: Don't just keep uploading the same docs over and over. Get someone on the phone who can actually see your file in real-time and confirm what they have vs what's missing. The regular reps can't always access the detailed file info but specialists can. Also - if you were laid off, make sure you have something in writing from your employer that specifically uses the words "laid off" or "reduction in workforce." Generic termination letters sometimes aren't enough. Hope this helps someone! The system is absolutely brutal but you will eventually get through it! 💪

Holy crap, reading through all these responses is both terrifying and reassuring at the same time! 😅 I thought I was losing my mind being stuck at $0 since September 2024. Same exact situation - "application being determined" message for months, they tested my account, now asking for discharge forms. The advice about asking specifically for a "claims specialist" is genius @Amina Sy - never would have thought to do that! And all the tips about uploading during off-peak hours, file naming, keeping logs... this thread is like a masterclass in surviving NY unemployment hell. Definitely gonna try the early morning calling strategy tomorrow (7:30am sharp) and re-upload everything with crystal clear file names. Also going to ask them to confirm receipt while I'm on the phone so I know the docs actually made it through their broken system. It's crazy that we all have to become experts in navigating this bureaucratic nightmare just to get benefits we're entitled to, but at least we're not suffering alone! Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - gives me hope that my back pay is coming eventually! 🙏💪