the my.ny.gov site is pretty good for checking status but sometimes it takes a while to update... mine showed pending for like 2 weeks then suddenly switched to approved

@Carmen Vega - I just went through this same process last month! The online portal at my.ny.gov is definitely your best bet for checking status. When you log in, look for the "Unemployment Services" section and then "View Claim Status." It will show you exactly where your claim stands in the process. Also, don't forget to keep certifying for weekly benefits even while your initial claim is being reviewed - you can do this through the same portal. The system is designed so you won't lose any weeks of benefits as long as you keep certifying. Hope this helps and good luck with your claim!

The whole system is frustrating honestly. Self-employed people pay taxes but can't get the same safety net as regular employees. At least now there's more gig work that provides W-2s so maybe that helps with future eligibility.

Just wanted to add that if you do qualify based on W-2 wages, you'll still need to be available and actively seeking work to maintain eligibility. The tricky part with having your own business is that NYS DOL might consider you "not available for work" if you're still operating your consulting business, even if it's slow. You may need to show that you're genuinely looking for employee positions and not just waiting for consulting work to pick back up. It's worth discussing this specific situation with a DOL representative to understand how they handle cases where someone has both self-employment and employee work history.

Yeah you should be fine if it's a layoff situation. Just make sure when you file that you select the right reason for separation. Don't say you quit or anything like that obviously.

Just went through this process myself a few months ago when my company had layoffs. One thing I wish someone had told me - keep detailed records of everything! Save your layoff notice, any emails about the elimination of your position, and document your last day of work. The NYS Department of Labor may ask for proof that you were laid off rather than fired for cause. Also, don't forget that you'll need to certify for benefits every week, even if there are delays in processing. Good luck with everything!

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.

Check your spam folder! My authorization email went there and I was stuck for days being stupid 🤦‍♂️

Had the exact same issue! Filed in late January and couldn't certify for weeks due to the authorization error. What finally worked for me was clearing my browser cache completely and trying a different browser. Also make sure you're using the exact same login info from your original application - sometimes people accidentally create multiple accounts which causes auth issues. If that doesn't work, definitely call them because there might be an issue with your claim that needs manual review. Don't stress too much about the backpay - as long as you document your attempts to certify, they'll sort it out retroactively once your account is fixed!