make sure u print those certification confirmations! ny unemployment system is held together with ducktape and prayers

Just went through this exact situation last week! Got approved after 6 weeks of waiting and yes, you'll definitely get backpay for all the weeks you certified. Mine hit my account 4 days after approval - all at once like everyone said. The key thing is making sure you certified for every single week during that waiting period, even if it felt pointless at the time. Check your payment history daily once you get approved, it'll change from "pending" to "released" when it's coming your way. Hang in there, you're almost at the finish line! 🙏

I went through this exact same thing a few months ago! Don't panic - you can definitely get your missed week paid out. Here's what worked for me: First, try calling right at 8am when they open - that's your best shot at getting through without waiting forever. If that doesn't work, honestly consider using one of those callback services like Claimyr that others mentioned. I was skeptical at first but it saved me literally hours of hold time. When you do get through, be super polite and have a good reason ready. Internet/phone issues actually do count as "good cause" - I used that exact excuse when my certification wouldn't go through on the app. Also have your work search records ready for that missed week because they'll definitely ask. Most importantly - if the first agent says no, hang up and call back. Different agents interpret the rules differently and some are way more helpful than others. It took me 3 calls but I eventually got someone who backdated it for me. The payment showed up about 2-3 days after they fixed it in the system. You got this! Just be persistent and don't give up.

I'm dealing with this exact same situation right now - missed my certification for the first week of September and just noticed it when doing this week's claim. Reading through all these responses is giving me hope that it's fixable! Based on what everyone's saying, it sounds like the key things are: 1. Having a good reason (internet issues should work) 2. Being super polite to the agent 3. Being willing to call multiple times if the first person says no 4. Having work search records ready I'm definitely going to try the 8am calling strategy first, but if that doesn't work I'll check out this Claimyr service that so many people are recommending. It's frustrating that we have to jump through all these hoops for what should be a simple fix, but at least there's a path forward. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this thread is way more helpful than anything on the official DOL website!

ugh the whole system is so frustrating!!! I've been waiting 3 weeks and my rent is due next week. They make it SO HARD to get help when you actually need it. The website is confusing and the phone lines are always busy. How are people supposed to survive while waiting for benefits??

I'm going through the same thing right now! Filed my claim 10 days ago and still showing "under review" with no updates. It's really stressful not knowing when to expect a decision. I've been documenting everything and keeping all my paperwork organized just in case they need additional info. Has anyone had success reaching them through their online messaging system instead of calling? I'm wondering if that might be faster than sitting on hold for hours.

Quick tip: take screenshots of everything you submit to NYS Department of Labor and keep copies of all documents. Their system sometimes 'loses' uploads and you'll want proof you submitted everything correctly the first time.

Just went through this process myself a few months ago. In addition to what others mentioned, make sure you have your Social Security card handy and any military discharge papers if you're a veteran (they sometimes ask for DD-214). Also, if you worked multiple jobs in the past year, gather contact info for ALL employers - NYS Department of Labor may need to verify wages from each one. The online application will walk you through exactly what documents to upload, but having everything ready beforehand makes the process much smoother. Good luck!

I'm in a similar situation - been working as a 1099 for a marketing agency for about 6 months and they just cut my contract too. From what I've researched, you should definitely apply even as a contractor. NYS has been cracking down on worker misclassification lately, especially if you had set hours, used their equipment, or they controlled how you did your work. The application process is free so there's no downside to trying. I'm planning to apply this week and document everything about how my work was structured. Good luck!

I went through this exact situation last year! I was working as a 1099 contractor for about 10 months when my contract got terminated suddenly. Initially NYS DOL denied my claim, but I appealed and won after showing that I was essentially functioning as an employee - they controlled my schedule, provided training, and I worked exclusively for them. The key is gathering evidence like emails about your work schedule, any company equipment you used, and communications showing they directed HOW you did your work, not just what work to do. It took about 8 weeks total but I did get approved with backpay. Don't give up after the initial decision!