my brother got out of prison 2 years ago and still cant find work. every application asks about criminal history and most places just throw it away after that. meanwhile he told me they were making furniture in prison for some big company and the prison was getting paid but the inmates got like 50 cents an hour. its totally backwards

THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO KEEP PEOPLE UNEMPLOYED! Private prisons make money from keeping people locked up AND from the labor while they're inside. Then they get out and can't find work so they end up back in prison. It's not about rehabilitation - it's about profit. And regular working people suffer because our jobs get taken by literal slave labor.

do u have ur confirmation numbers from when u certified those weeks? major key to getting backpay. they can see in their system u actually did certify

I went through this exact nightmare last year - benefits suddenly cut off, months of certifying with no payments, then started working before getting it resolved. Here's what finally worked for me: 1) The key is getting to someone who can actually SEE your account history. Most first-level reps can't do much. 2) When you call, say "I need to speak with someone about RETROACTIVE PAYMENTS for weeks I already certified." Don't let them brush you off. 3) Have all your certification confirmation numbers ready (sounds like you have screenshots which is perfect!) 4) Emphasize that you continued certifying throughout the gap period - this proves you were actively seeking benefits and following procedures. 5) The fact that you're now working doesn't disqualify you from backpay for eligible weeks when you were unemployed. I know the phone system is brutal, but one conversation with the right person can release everything at once. Some people here mentioned claimyr to get through faster - might be worth it given how much you're owed. Don't give up, that $5,400 is rightfully yours! 💪

make sure youre filing your quarterly reports on time too or they hit you with penalties. learned that the hard way last year

As someone who just started a small business in NY, this is really helpful information! I'm wondering about the quarterly reporting process - when exactly are those due dates throughout the year? And is there a minimum number of employees you need before you have to start paying into the unemployment insurance system? I want to make sure I'm compliant from day one.

Also make sure you're still doing your job search requirements even though benefits exhausted. I think you have to keep certifying that you're looking for work in case you do qualify for a new claim period. Don't want to mess up any future eligibility.

I'm in a similar situation and just wanted to add that you should also check if there are any state or local assistance programs available while you're figuring out the unemployment situation. Many counties in NY have emergency rental assistance programs that can help with rent if you're facing eviction. Also, make sure to apply for SNAP benefits if you haven't already - the income limits are higher now and it can help stretch your budget while you're looking for work. The process for a new unemployment claim can take a few weeks even if you do qualify, so having other support in place is crucial. Hang in there, this system is really tough to navigate but there are other resources out there.

I went through this exact situation last month! Changed my direct deposit on a Tuesday and my payment was supposed to hit that Friday. The payment still went to my old account as expected, but here's the key thing - I called the old bank immediately when it posted and explained I was closing the account due to fees. They actually waived the monthly maintenance fee for that month since I was transferring everything out right away. Might be worth a shot to call your bank and explain the situation - some of them will work with you, especially if you mention you're dealing with unemployment. Then just make the DD change after this payment clears to be safe.

I just went through this same headache two months ago. Here's what I learned the hard way: NY unemployment processes payments about 3-5 days in advance, so if your payment is already scheduled for Wednesday, that money is basically already "in the pipeline" to your current bank. Even if you change your direct deposit info today, this week's payment will still go to your old account. The new bank info only takes effect for future payments. So you're safe to wait until Thursday to make the change - you won't lose this payment and you won't risk any delays. I know those bank fees suck (been there!) but it's better to eat one more fee than deal with the nightmare of a frozen unemployment account. Trust me on this one!