I went through this same situation a few months ago - 6 weeks in adjudication hell. What helped me was documenting everything: screenshots of my claim status, dates I called, any emails or messages. When I finally got through to someone, having all that info ready made the conversation much more productive. Also try calling right at 8am when they open - that's when I had the most luck getting through. The adjudication process is frustrating but most claims do eventually get approved if you were legitimately unemployed through no fault of your own.

I'm going through the exact same thing right now - 4 weeks in adjudication and it's incredibly stressful not knowing what's happening. From what I've researched, the most common reasons for adjudication delays are: 1) They're verifying your employment history with previous employers, 2) Your separation reason needs additional review (like if you quit vs were laid off), or 3) There's a discrepancy in your application that needs clarification. The frustrating part is they don't tell you which one it is. I've been keeping a log of all my call attempts and plan to try the 8am strategy mentioned above. Has anyone had success with contacting their local career center instead of the main DOL number?

If you do decide to file after quitting, be prepared for potential delays getting through to NYS Department of Labor if you need to speak with someone about your case. I spent weeks trying to call about my adjudication status. Eventually found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get through to an actual agent - they have a video demo showing how it works (https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI). Saved me hours of calling and getting disconnected.

The unemployment system is so messed up, they make it impossible to get benefits even when you legitimately need them. I'd say just quit and file anyway - worst case they deny you and you're in the same position you'd be in if you didn't try at all.

I'm having the exact SAME issue!!! Been trying to get through for weeks. Let me know if you figure anything out. I've been submitting and resubmitting docs for 2 months now. 😡

I went through this exact nightmare 3 months ago! Here's what finally worked for me after weeks of frustration: **Required docs that got me approved:** - Last 4 paystubs before termination - Termination/layoff letter (this is CRUCIAL - without it they'll keep asking for more) - Previous year's W-2 - Bank statements showing your regular pay deposits that stopped **Pro tips:** - Upload everything as PDFs, not photos - Make sure all text is clearly readable - Submit MORE rather than less - I included my offer letter and first paystub too just to show employment history Like others mentioned, I finally got through using Claimyr after wasting literally hours on hold. The agent I spoke with was super helpful and told me exactly what was missing from my case. Worth every penny to avoid the phone hell. Also definitely screenshot everything when you upload - their system has "technical issues" that mysteriously lose documents right when you need them most. Don't give up! The system sucks but once you get the right docs in, it moves pretty quickly. Hang in there! 💪

Has anyone tried going to an actual unemployment office in person? Are they even open?

I feel your pain Emma! I was stuck in the exact same nightmare for 2.5 months. Calling hundreds of times, getting that same automated rejection message every single day. What finally broke the cycle for me was using Claimyr - I was skeptical at first because I'd tried everything else, but it actually worked. They handle all the calling and waiting so you don't have to sit there pressing redial all day. When they finally got me connected to a real person, my benefits were unlocked within 48 hours. Sometimes you just need that one actual conversation with a human to fix everything. Hang in there, there are ways to get through this broken system!

Don't forget you also can't be receiving other types of compensation that might affect your eligibility. Things like severance pay, vacation payouts, or disability payments can impact when you can start collecting or how much you get. Make sure to report all income when you file your initial claim.

Just wanted to add that the waiting week requirement has been waived in New York, so you can potentially start receiving benefits immediately after your claim is approved if you meet all other requirements. Also, make sure you file your claim online through the NY.gov portal - it's faster than calling and you'll get confirmation of your submission. The system will walk you through calculating your base period wages, so have your pay stubs or W-2 ready when you apply. Good luck with your claim!