definitely keep filing weekly! friend of mine stopped filing during adjudication thinking it didn't matter and lost out on like $4000 in back pay

I'm going through something similar right now - filed in January and still waiting on adjudication for an identity verification issue. Reading all these responses gives me some hope that I'll eventually get the back pay. It's frustrating how long these processes take, especially when you're already financially stressed. Michael, I hope your claim gets approved soon and you get all that money you've been waiting for!

Just went through this last month! Got my first payment exactly 3 business days after completing my waiting week. Make sure you're checking both your bank account AND the payment history section on the DOL website - sometimes there's a delay between when it shows as processed vs when it actually hits your account. Also double check that your direct deposit info is correct in your profile, that can cause major delays if it's wrong.

Been waiting 6 days now since my waiting week ended and still nothing 😩 Direct deposit is set up correctly and I've been certifying every week. Starting to get worried something went wrong with my claim. Might have to try that claimyr thing everyone's mentioning if it doesn't show up by tomorrow

Just file the claim online through the my.ny.gov portal and answer all the questions honestly about why you left your job. NYS Department of Labor will make the determination based on your specific circumstances. The application process will walk you through everything you need to know.

For what it's worth, a reduction from 40 hours to 8 hours per week (an 80% cut) would almost certainly qualify as "good cause" under NYS Department of Labor guidelines. That's essentially forcing you to quit by making the job financially unsustainable. When you file your claim, make sure to emphasize that the hour reduction made it impossible to meet your basic living expenses and that you had no choice but to seek other employment. Document everything - old schedules, pay stubs showing the difference, any communication about the hour cuts. The key is showing that a reasonable person in your situation would have had to quit.

If you're having trouble reaching the NYS Department of Labor to ask questions about the appeal process, there's a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that can help you get through to an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. I used it when my employer appealed and I needed to understand the hearing procedures.

Just wanted to say good luck! The fact that you were approved initially is a good sign. Document everything and don't let them intimidate you.

just apply anyway!! worst they can say is no and then you know for sure. the application process is pretty straightforward on the my.ny.gov website

As someone who recently navigated this process, I can confirm that being a student doesn't automatically disqualify you from unemployment benefits in NY. The main thing is demonstrating you're genuinely available for work that fits around your class schedule. When you apply through the NYS DOL website, they'll ask about your availability - just be specific about the days/times you can work. Since you've been working 25+ hours consistently, you should have enough work history to qualify. One tip: start documenting your job search efforts now (applications, interviews, etc.) because you'll need to report these activities during your weekly certifications. Good luck with your application and your final semester!