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If I could give 10 stars I would If I could give 10 stars I would Such an amazing service so needed during the times when EDD almost never picks up Claimyr gets me on the phone with EDD every time without fail faster. A much needed service without Claimyr I would have never received the payment I needed to support me during my postpartum recovery. Thank you so much Claimyr!
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- DO post questions about your issues.
- DO answer questions and support each other.
- DO post tips & tricks to help folks.
- DO NOT post call problems here - there is a support tab at the top for that :)
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To clarify the extension question - yes, there are circumstances where you might be eligible for an extension if you don't qualify for a new claim. This typically happens when you haven't earned sufficient wages during your benefit year. The extension would continue your current weekly benefit amount rather than starting fresh. However, you still need to file the new claim application first so NYS Department of Labor can determine if you qualify for a new claim or an extension.
Exactly right. And definitely file that new claim application as soon as possible after your benefit year ends to avoid any gaps in payments.
Just went through this exact situation 3 months ago. File your new claim the day after your benefit year ends - don't wait! I made the mistake of waiting a few days and it created a gap in my payments that took weeks to resolve. Also keep detailed records of all your job search activities during the transition period because they might ask for verification. The new claim process is pretty much the same as your original application, just make sure you report any work you did during your benefit year, even if it was just a few hours here and there.
This is really helpful advice! I'm curious about the gap in payments you mentioned - when you say it took weeks to resolve, did you eventually get backpay for those missed days or did you just lose that money completely? I want to make sure I don't make the same mistake when my claim expires.
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Been there myself with a knee injury while unemployed. Key things: 1) Report the disability income on your weekly claims, 2) Make sure your job search focuses on positions you can actually do with your restrictions, 3) Keep all medical documentation, 4) Be honest when certifying for benefits. NYS Department of Labor processed mine without issues because I was upfront about everything from the start.
This is a great question and you're smart to ask before potentially creating issues. I work in HR and deal with these situations regularly. The key distinction is between being "totally disabled" versus having work restrictions. Since you can perform desk work and light duty, you're not totally disabled from all work. You absolutely must report your disability payments when filing weekly claims - NYS Department of Labor will likely reduce your unemployment benefits by the amount of disability income you receive. Keep detailed records of your job search efforts focusing specifically on positions that accommodate your restrictions (administrative, customer service, data entry, etc.). Your doctor's note about light duty work will be important documentation. Many people successfully navigate this situation, but transparency with NYSDOL from the start is crucial to avoid overpayment issues down the road.
This is really helpful advice, thank you! I've been worried about making a mistake that could cost me my benefits. Quick question - when you say NYS Department of Labor will "likely reduce" unemployment benefits by the disability amount, does that mean it's dollar-for-dollar? Like if I get $300/week in disability and $400/week in unemployment, would I only get $100 from unemployment? I want to make sure I understand how this works before I report everything.
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I'm going through the same thing right now - filed about 2 weeks ago and still waiting. From what I've been reading online, the NYS Department of Labor has been really backed up lately. One thing that helped me was checking if there are any pending issues or documents needed in the portal - sometimes they request additional info but don't notify you clearly. Also try calling early in the morning around 8am when they open, I've heard that's when you have the best chance of getting through. Hang in there, the waiting is definitely the worst part!
Thanks for the tip about calling at 8am! I've been trying to call randomly throughout the day with no luck. Did you actually get through when you called early morning, or is that just what you heard? Also good point about checking for pending documents - I should probably double-check that I didn't miss anything in the portal.
I've been through this exact situation! Filed my claim in March and it took almost 4 weeks to get a determination. The key things that helped me: 1) Keep filing your weekly claims no matter what - this is crucial for getting backpay later, 2) Check the "Correspondence" section in your online account daily - sometimes they send requests for info there without email notifications, 3) If you can, try the live chat feature on the NYS DOL website early morning around 8-9am when it's less busy. I know the waiting is stressful but hang in there - once it goes through you'll get all the backpay from your filing date. The system is slow but it does work eventually.
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I'm going through this exact situation right now - got fired three weeks ago for attendance issues while dealing with my toddler's recurring ear infections that kept landing us in urgent care. I've been paralyzed with fear about applying because I thought being fired was an automatic disqualification, but reading all these success stories is incredibly encouraging! It's amazing to see how many people have been approved by NYS Department of Labor after being fired for legitimate family medical emergencies. I have all my documentation ready - urgent care visit records, prescription receipts, texts to my manager explaining the situations - but I've been too scared to submit my application. Everyone's advice about applying immediately and being completely honest about the circumstances really resonates with me. I think I've been overthinking this and letting fear prevent me from accessing benefits I've rightfully earned. Thank you all for sharing your experiences - knowing that others have successfully navigated this process gives me the confidence to file my claim today!
You're definitely on the right track with all that documentation! As someone who just went through this process myself after being fired for similar attendance issues with my sick child, I can tell you that having those urgent care records and text messages to your manager is exactly what helped my case. NYS Department of Labor really does understand that toddler ear infections aren't something you can plan around - those urgent care visits happen when they happen, not when it's convenient for your work schedule. The fear is totally normal (I felt the same way), but you've already done the hard part by keeping all those records. Don't let another day go by without filing - the sooner you apply, the sooner they can start reviewing your case and potentially backdate your benefits. You've got this!
I was fired for attendance issues about a year ago when my husband was battling cancer and needed me for treatments and recovery. I was absolutely convinced I'd be denied since I was terminated, but I applied anyway after reading similar stories online. NYS Department of Labor approved me after a thorough 6-week investigation! The key was having documentation - I saved every medical appointment confirmation, hospital discharge paper, and text message I sent to my supervisor. Even though there were times I couldn't call before my shift because we were in the ER or dealing with sudden complications, the investigator completely understood when I explained the circumstances honestly during my phone interview. What really helped was showing that I wasn't just skipping work - I was dealing with genuine family medical emergencies that anyone would prioritize over their job. Don't let fear stop you from applying! You've been paying into unemployment insurance with every paycheck, and situations like caring for sick children are exactly what it's designed to help with. File your claim today and gather every piece of documentation you have. The worst they can say is no, but based on what you've described, you have a strong case for approval.
Andre Moreau
This entire thread has been incredibly valuable! I'm currently navigating my first unemployment forfeit penalty situation and was completely overwhelmed by how difficult it is to get basic account information from NYSDOL. Reading through everyone's real experiences and solutions has given me so much hope and practical direction. I'm particularly impressed by how the community has essentially crowdsourced a comprehensive guide with multiple approaches: secure messaging, Claimyr service, manual calculation using determination letters, strategic calling times, and even the newer NY.gov app option. The fact that Anderson had to try several methods just to find out what he owes really highlights how broken the system is, but at least we have each other's knowledge to rely on. Ana Rusula's warning about potential interest charges was especially eye-opening - that's definitely not something they make clear upfront! I'm planning to start with the secure messaging approach and will make sure to ask about any additional fees when I do connect with someone. Thanks to everyone for being so generous with sharing your experiences and keeping this thread updated. This is community support at its finest - turning a frustrating bureaucratic maze into a manageable process through shared knowledge!
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Drake
•This has been such an educational thread! As someone who's completely new to unemployment issues, I'm honestly shocked at how difficult it is just to find out basic account balance information. The fact that people have to create their own workarounds and share strategies like this really shows how user-unfriendly the official system is. I'm taking notes on all the different approaches everyone has shared - having multiple options makes me feel much more confident about tackling my own potential issues down the road. The combination of technical solutions (secure messaging, apps) and practical tips (calling times, documentation strategies) creates a really comprehensive toolkit. Andre, your point about this being "community support at its finest" is spot on. It's amazing how everyone has been so willing to share their struggles and victories to help others navigate this maze. Anderson's persistence and everyone else's contributions have created something way more useful than any official FAQ page!
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Ravi Sharma
I'm new to this community and just wanted to say how incredibly helpful this entire thread has been! I'm currently dealing with my first unemployment situation and had no idea that forfeit penalties could be so complicated to track. Reading through everyone's experiences has been both eye-opening and reassuring - it's clear that the system's complexity isn't just user error on my part! The collaborative approach here is amazing. Between all the different strategies shared - secure messaging, Claimyr, manual calculations, strategic calling times, and even potential hidden fees to watch out for - this thread has become like a comprehensive survival guide that I'll definitely be bookmarking. Anderson, congrats on finally getting your balance sorted out! Your persistence really shows that there ARE solutions, even when the system seems designed to frustrate you. And to everyone else who shared their real-world experiences - this kind of practical knowledge is invaluable and way more useful than anything on the official NYSDOL website. I'm planning to start with the secure messaging approach based on the success stories here, but it's reassuring to know there are multiple backup options if needed. Thanks to everyone for creating such a supportive and informative discussion!
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Shelby Bauman
•Welcome to the community, Ravi! You're absolutely right that this thread has become an incredible resource - I'm also fairly new here and have been amazed at how willing everyone is to share their real experiences navigating these confusing systems. The NYSDOL website really doesn't prepare you for how challenging it can be to get basic information, so having this kind of community knowledge is invaluable. Your plan to start with secure messaging sounds smart based on everyone's feedback. Even if it takes a week or two to get a response, it seems to be one of the more reliable methods. And like you said, having all these backup strategies from the community gives you options if the first approach doesn't work out. It's really encouraging to see how Anderson's initial frustration has turned into such a helpful discussion that will benefit so many others dealing with similar issues. This is exactly why communities like this are so important - turning individual struggles into collective solutions!
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