just file and see what happens, worst they can do is say no

I went through something very similar about 6 months ago. My manager was creating a hostile work environment and eventually told me I could resign or be terminated for "performance issues" that were clearly fabricated. I documented everything - the conversations, dates, witnesses, even took photos of the impossible tasks I was being assigned. When I filed for unemployment, NYS Department of Labor did put my claim into adjudication, but I was ultimately approved. The key things that helped my case were: 1) I had written evidence of the ultimatum, 2) I could show a pattern of discriminatory treatment, and 3) I demonstrated that I had no reasonable alternative but to quit. The process took about 8 weeks, but I did receive back pay for the entire period. Don't let anyone tell you it's hopeless - constructive discharge is a real thing and NYS Department of Labor does recognize it when properly documented.

I went through this exact situation last year when I was laid off from a $95k job. The $504 max is definitely a shock at first, but here's what helped me: Start applying immediately since there's a waiting week, set up direct deposit to get payments faster, and consider this an opportunity to reassess your expenses. I actually ended up finding a better position within 12 weeks. Also, don't forget you might be eligible for COBRA subsidies or marketplace health insurance to help with medical coverage during the transition.

@Giovanni Greco I feel your pain - I went through the same shock when I got laid off from a $120k job last year. The $504 max is brutal when you're used to higher earnings, but here are some practical tips that helped me survive those 4 months: 1) File your claim TODAY - don't wait, the sooner you start the process the better. 2) Start cutting non-essential expenses immediately (streaming services, dining out, etc). 3) Look into freelance or contract work in your field - you can still collect partial benefits if you earn under a certain threshold. 4) Network aggressively - most good jobs come through connections, not job boards. 5) Consider this time to maybe pivot to an even better role. The financial stress is real, but try to view this as a temporary setback rather than a catastrophe. You've got valuable experience at that salary level, so you're marketable. Hang in there!

I'm so glad to see people getting their approvals! I submitted my waiver in early June for a $2,100 overpayment from those duplicate payments. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been really helpful - it sounds like most people are getting approved after 3-4 months of waiting, which gives me hope. I was starting to panic thinking I'd have to pay it back, especially since it was clearly their system error. Has anyone noticed if they're processing June submissions yet, or should I expect to wait until September/October? The uncertainty is the worst part!

I'm in a very similar situation - submitted my waiver in mid-June for a $1,850 overpayment from those duplicate payments. Reading everyone's experiences here has been incredibly reassuring, especially seeing that most people are getting approved after 3-4 months. The waiting game is brutal though! I keep checking my online account and mailbox obsessively. It's encouraging to see that even with the long delays, NYSDOL seems to be recognizing that these were system errors on their end. Thanks to everyone who shared their timelines and outcomes - it really helps to know we're not alone in this mess. Fingers crossed we'll all have good news by fall!

This thread has been super helpful! I'm actually in the exact same boat - payment showing released from 11/14 but KeyBank says no pending deposit. Based on what everyone's shared here, it sounds like there's definitely been system issues with batch releases since their platform update. I'm going to follow the same steps: call KeyBank first to confirm (already did), then use that Claimyr service to reach an actual NYSDOL agent. Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences and the specific phone numbers/resources. It's so frustrating when the automated system says everything is fine but your money is nowhere to be found!

I'm dealing with this exact same issue right now! My payment has been showing "Released" since 11/16 but still nothing on my KeyBank card as of today. After reading through all these comments, it's clear this is a widespread problem with their system updates. I called KeyBank first like everyone suggested (1-866-295-2955) and they confirmed no pending deposits from NYSDOL. Really frustrating when you're counting on that money! Going to try the Claimyr service that several people mentioned since it seems like the only reliable way to actually reach a human at NYSDOL these days. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and solutions - this thread is a lifesaver for people dealing with these payment glitches!

Remember to keep filing your weekly claims even while the appeal is pending! A lot of people forget this step and it can mess up your benefit timeline.

Don't let that one bad experience scare you too much - every judge is different. I had my hearing last summer for a similar situation (hostile work environment) and the judge was actually very patient and thorough. Make sure you have a quiet space for the call if it's by phone, and test your phone connection beforehand. Also, when you present your evidence about the safety issues, be specific about dates and what actions you took to address them with management before quitting. The fact that you have text messages and emails is really good - that's exactly the kind of documentation that can make or break these cases. You've got this!