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To add to what others have said, once you get back into your account, I strongly recommend setting up two-factor authentication if you haven't already. NY unemployment started offering this in January 2025, and it's much better than just relying on a password. With 2FA enabled, even if you forget your password, you can still get in using the verification code they send to your phone.
That's a good idea, I'll definitely set that up once I can get back in. Do you know where in the account settings I can find that option?
Once you log back in, go to "Account Settings" from the main menu, then look for "Security Settings" or "Login & Security." The 2FA option should be right there - it'll ask you to verify your phone number first, then you can enable text message verification codes. Super easy to set up and will save you from lockout headaches in the future!
Hey Nia! I went through this exact same thing about 6 months ago and I was freaking out too. What really helped me was writing down my password and keeping it somewhere safe after I got back in. Also, if you're still worried about the timing, you can always check your "claim history" section once you're back in to see exactly when your certification period closes - it should show you have until Saturday like Aisha mentioned. The NY unemployment system is definitely frustrating but you'll get through this!
Just make sure you report all your circumstances accurately when you file. NYS Department of Labor will want to know about your employment status, when your leave ended, and when you became available for work. Don't try to file while you're still on active PFL - wait until you're genuinely able and available to accept employment.
I went through something very similar when I had my daughter two years ago. The key thing to understand is timing - you absolutely cannot collect unemployment benefits while you're still receiving paid family leave payments, even if you know your job is being eliminated. NYS Department of Labor considers you "not available for work" while on PFL. You have to wait until your family leave period officially ends and you're ready to return to work before filing your UI claim. When you do file, make sure to clearly explain the sequence of events - that you were employed, went on PFL, then became unemployed due to layoffs after your leave period. The department will verify your base period wages separately from any PFL payments you received.
I'm dealing with this exact same issue right now! Filed my claim 6 days ago and nothing is showing up in my account either. It's so stressful not knowing if everything went through properly. Reading these comments makes me feel a bit better knowing it's normal for there to be a delay. I guess I'll keep checking daily and hope it appears soon. The waiting is the worst part when you're already stressed about being unemployed.
I totally understand that stress! I went through the same thing last year and it really is nerve-wracking when you can't see any proof that your claim is being processed. The waiting game is brutal, especially when you're already dealing with job loss anxiety. From what I've learned, that confirmation number you got is actually a good sign - it means NYS Department of Labor definitely has your application. Try to hang in there for a few more days, and like others mentioned, keep checking under the 'Unemployment Services' section specifically. You're not alone in this!
I had this exact same problem earlier this year! It took about 9 days for my claim to finally show up in the system. What really helped me was saving that confirmation number somewhere safe - I wrote it down and took a screenshot just in case. When it finally did appear, all my information was there and I could immediately start doing my weekly certifications. The NYS Department of Labor system is definitely slow to update, but as long as you have that confirmation number, you should be good. Try not to stress too much about it - I know it's easier said than done when you're waiting for benefits to kick in.
That's really good advice about saving the confirmation number! I screenshot mine too just in case. It's reassuring to hear from so many people who went through the same thing. I think the worst part is not knowing if you filled something out wrong or if the system just lost your application. But it sounds like this delay is totally normal with NYS Department of Labor. I'll try to be patient for a few more days and keep that confirmation number handy. Thanks for sharing your experience!
This system is so broken!! I've been waiting 3 months for payments and every time I call they give me a different excuse. First it was ID verification, then job search requirements, now they're saying something about my employer response. Meanwhile I'm behind on everything and they act like it's no big deal.
I'm going through something similar right now - filed for 3 weeks, everything shows processed but no payments. After reading through these comments I'm going to check my inbox more carefully for any verification requests I might have missed. It's so frustrating that the system can show "approved" when there are still backend issues preventing payment. Has anyone found the best time of day to try calling the NYS Department of Labor? I've been trying mornings but maybe there's a better window.
I've had better luck calling right when they open at 8am or around 4pm before they close. The mid-day hours seem to be the worst. Also try calling on Tuesday or Wednesday - Mondays are usually swamped. Make sure to have your social and claim confirmation number ready because they'll ask for it right away. Good luck getting through!
ElectricDreamer
I went through something very similar last year and want to reassure you that this is more common than you think. The key is being proactive like others have mentioned. When I called NYS Department of Labor to report my mistake, the representative was actually pretty understanding and walked me through the process. They classified it as an "inadvertent overpayment" rather than fraud since I came forward voluntarily. I did have to pay back the overpayment amount, but they let me set up a payment plan that deducted a portion from my future benefits rather than requiring a lump sum. The whole experience was stressful but much less scary than I had imagined. Just make sure you have all your employment records and pay stubs ready when you call - they'll need the exact dates and amounts you earned during those 8 weeks.
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NebulaNinja
•This is really helpful to hear from someone who actually went through it! The fact that they worked with you on a payment plan makes me feel much more hopeful. I've been gathering all my pay stubs and employment paperwork since I posted this, so I'll have everything organized when I call. Did they ask you for any other specific documentation besides the pay stubs and dates? And roughly how long did the whole process take to get resolved once you contacted them?
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Natasha Kuznetsova
I'm in a similar situation right now - working about 12 hours a week at a retail job while collecting unemployment benefits. After reading your post I'm realizing I might have made the same mistake by not reporting my part-time earnings. The whole process is really intimidating when you're already stressed about finances. Has anyone here actually had experience with how they calculate the partial benefit reduction? Like if I'm earning $150 a week from part-time work, how much would that typically reduce my weekly unemployment benefit? I want to understand what to expect before I call to report my situation.
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