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Keep filing your weekly claims while this gets sorted out! Even if there's an adjudication issue, you don't want to miss your filing dates. The NYS Department of Labor can always adjust payments retroactively if your church's coverage gets verified.
I went through something similar when I worked at a Methodist church. The verification process can be nerve-wracking but hang in there! In my case, it turned out the church had elected coverage years ago but there was some paperwork mix-up in the system. The DOL eventually straightened it out and I received all my back benefits. Make sure you keep documenting everything - save all your correspondence and take screenshots of your online account status. If you have any old pay stubs from the church, check if they show unemployment tax deductions (SUTA) - that would be a good sign they were paying into the system.
That's really helpful advice about checking the pay stubs for SUTA deductions! I didn't even think to look for that. I'll dig through my old pay stubs tonight to see if there are any unemployment tax withholdings shown. Thanks for the tip about documenting everything too - I've been taking screenshots but hadn't thought about saving all the correspondence. Did the DOL give you any timeline when they were working through your paperwork issue?
Hey Zoe! I went through something super similar last year. The alternate base period was exactly what saved my claim. Since you made $8k in that October-December quarter, you're actually in a pretty good position. Here's what I learned: when they can't use the standard base period (because you didn't meet the earnings threshold in earlier quarters), they automatically check if you qualify under the alternate base period. Your recent $8k quarter will likely be the key. A few things that helped me: - Make sure you have all your pay stubs from that October-December period ready - When you finally get through to someone, be super clear about wanting them to check the alternate base period specifically - Don't get discouraged if the first person you talk to seems confused - some reps know more about this than others The fact that you were let go (not fired for misconduct) in January should work in your favor too. Keep pushing through the process - it's frustrating but you've got a solid case! 💪
This is really encouraging to hear from someone who's been through it! Thank you for the specific tips about having pay stubs ready and asking directly about the alternate base period. It's reassuring to know that others have successfully navigated this situation. I'm definitely going to keep pushing and not give up at the first hurdle 🙏
this whole system is so confusing why cant they just make it simple to understand when you can reapply and what you need
I went through this same process about 8 months ago when my original claim expired. The application itself is pretty straightforward on the NY.gov website, but definitely gather all your employment documents first - W-2s, pay stubs, and exact dates of employment. One thing that caught me off guard was that they asked for really specific information about why I left each job, so have those details ready. The whole process took about 2 weeks from application to getting my first payment. Good luck!
Thanks for sharing your experience! That's really helpful to know about the specific job separation details they ask for. I'm curious - did you have any issues with the wage verification process? I'm a bit worried they might not be able to verify my part-time job wages since it was such a small employer.
@Isaiah Cross The wage verification wasn t'too bad in my case, but I did make sure to keep all my pay stubs from the part-time job just in case. NYS Department of Labor usually gets wage information directly from employers through their quarterly reporting, but having your own records as backup is always smart. If your employer was paying into the unemployment system which (most legitimate employers do, even small ones ,)the wages should show up in their system. Just make sure you have the exact employer name and address when you fill out the application.
Just wanted to update - checked my account this morning and my payment went through! The level 3 thing was actually good news. Thanks everyone for the explanations, really helped calm my nerves.
I'm new here but wanted to share my recent experience with level 3. I had the same status show up last month and panicked because I couldn't find clear info anywhere online. Turns out @Yuki Sato is right - it means a senior adjudicator reviewed and closed your issue. Mine took about 5 business days after showing "issue closed level 3" before payments resumed, and I got all my back pay in one lump sum. The waiting is nerve-wracking but it's actually progress! Definitely check your correspondence inbox on my.ny.gov for any determination letters.
Thanks for sharing your experience @LongPeri! It's really helpful to hear from someone who went through the same thing recently. The 5 business day timeline is good to know - I'm on day 3 since my status changed to "issue closed level 3" so hopefully I'll see movement soon. Did you get any kind of notification when the payments actually processed, or did you just have to keep checking your account?
Noah huntAce420
The whole system is ridiculous. I've been dealing with an adjudication issue for 6 weeks now with NO explanation of what they're even reviewing. You jump through all their hoops, provide every document they ask for, and then they just leave you hanging. Make sure you document EVERYTHING because they'll find any excuse to delay or deny your claim.
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Ayla Kumar
•Adjudication delays are frustrating but they're usually reviewing employer responses or verifying eligibility. Have you tried contacting them to ask specifically what information they're waiting for?
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Ryan Young
Just to add some practical advice - when you apply online, have all your employer info ready including exact addresses and supervisor names if possible. The system can be glitchy so save your progress frequently. Also, file your weekly certifications on the same day each week to avoid any issues. I found Sunday mornings work best since the system is less busy. Make sure to keep detailed records of all your job search activities from day one - employer names, contact methods, dates, and responses. The job search log is crucial if they ever audit your claim.
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Jamal Edwards
•This is really helpful advice about the technical side! I didn't realize the system could be glitchy during application. Quick question - for the job search activities, do they accept online applications through job sites like Indeed or LinkedIn, or do they require direct contact with employers? Also, when you say "same day each week" for certifications, is there a specific deadline or just consistency that matters?
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