Filing online is definitely the way to go initially. If you run into adjudication issues or your claim gets stuck, that's when you'll need to call. Keep all your employment records handy - dates, wages, reason for separation.

I went through this same situation a few months ago. Here's what worked for me: Start with the online application at labor.ny.gov early in the morning (like 6-7 AM) when the system is less busy. Have your last employer's info ready including exact dates of employment and your final pay stub. If you get stuck on any questions, you can save your progress and come back to it later. The phone lines are brutal right now - I spent literally days trying to get through. Focus on getting your initial claim filed online first, then worry about calling if you run into specific issues later. The key is establishing your claim date so you don't lose any potential benefits while figuring out the details.

Also worth mentioning - if your benefit amount seems really low compared to your previous wages, double check that NYS Department of Labor calculated your benefit correctly. Sometimes they don't include all your qualifying wages from the base period. You can request a wage transcript to verify what earnings they used in the calculation.

You might also want to look into other assistance programs while you're working on the unemployment side. SNAP benefits, emergency rental assistance, and utility help programs can bridge the gap when your UI benefits aren't covering everything. The 211 helpline (dial 2-1-1) can connect you with local resources. Also check if your county has any emergency assistance programs - some offer one-time help with rent or utilities. It won't increase your unemployment amount but it can help with the immediate financial pressure you're facing.

I'm in a similar boat - won my appeal 12 days ago and still waiting for payments to resume. From what I'm seeing in this thread, it really seems to vary wildly from 1 week to 3+ weeks depending on how backed up they are and how complex your case is. The most frustrating part is having no way to get a real timeline from NYS Department of Labor since their phone system is basically unusable. I've been continuing to file my weekly claims like others suggested, and I'm trying to be patient, but when you're behind on rent it's really hard not to panic. At least we know the back pay will eventually come through - that's something to look forward to!

I went through this exact same situation last year and I know how stressful the waiting is! In my case, it took about 10 days after my successful appeal for the payments to start flowing again. What I learned is that NYS Department of Labor has to do several things behind the scenes - remove the disqualification flag, recalculate your weekly benefit amount, and process all the back weeks you're owed. The system update happens all at once, so one day you'll check and suddenly see weeks worth of payments deposited. Keep filing your weekly claims during this time because those will all get paid retroactively. I know it's hard when bills are piling up, but try to hang in there - the back pay when it comes will help catch you up. You've already done the hard part by winning your appeal!

I'm in almost the exact same boat - my benefits end December 15th and I start a new job the following week. Reading through all these responses is super reassuring! It sounds like as long as you certify properly for that final week, you should get paid. The key thing I'm taking away is that the end date is inclusive, so the full week gets covered. Definitely going to set that calendar reminder like Alice suggested - can't afford to miss that final payment when transitioning to a new job. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences!

I just wanted to add my experience since I literally went through this exact scenario last month! My benefits ended on October 20th and I was so worried about that final payment. I certified on Sunday October 21st for the week ending the 20th and got paid without any issues. The key thing is that your benefit year ending date is the LAST day you're eligible, so that entire week gets covered. Just make sure you don't wait too long to certify - I did mine first thing Sunday morning to avoid any potential system glitches. Also, huge congrats on landing the new job! That timing worked out perfectly for you. The peace of mind knowing you'll have that final unemployment payment to bridge the gap to your first paycheck is such a relief.

For anyone still experiencing issues, the NYSDOL has acknowledged the technical difficulties on their official channels. They've stated: 1. No one will be penalized for missing certification deadlines due to today's system issues 2. The main issue has been identified and partially resolved (database connection problems) 3. They recommend using the mobile app instead of the website if possible 4. If you receive error codes, document them and the time of your attempt If you absolutely need to certify today and cannot access the system, calling the Telephone Claims Center is an option, though wait times may be long. For fastest service, try calling right when they open (8:00 AM) tomorrow.

Just wanted to share my experience from today - I was also locked out all morning but managed to get through around 2 PM using Firefox after switching from Chrome. What worked for me was clearing ALL browsing data (not just cache/cookies), restarting my browser completely, and then waiting about 20 minutes before trying again. The site was still really sluggish but I was able to complete my certification. For anyone still struggling, I also noticed that if you get logged out during the certification process, DON'T immediately try to log back in. Wait at least 15-20 minutes or it seems to trigger some kind of session conflict. Really hope they invest in better infrastructure soon because this stress is the last thing unemployed people need!