For future reference, the NYSDOL actually posts system outages and maintenance schedules on their Twitter account @NYSLabor. They don't always update it immediately when there's an unexpected issue, but it's worth checking there first to see if there's a known problem before you spend hours trying to get through.

This is such a common issue - I've been dealing with NY unemployment for about 8 months now and the website crashes almost every Sunday evening. What's helped me is setting a reminder to certify on Monday mornings instead of waiting until the last minute. The system is usually much more stable earlier in the week. Also, if you're on mobile, try switching to incognito/private browsing mode - sometimes that helps with the login issues. Hope everyone was able to get through eventually!

Hey Miguel! I just went through this process about 3 months ago when my company did layoffs. My experience was pretty similar to what others have shared - took about 2.5 weeks for my initial claim to get approved. One thing I wish I had known earlier is that you can check your claim status online through the NYS DOL portal, and they'll send you a determination letter (either by mail or electronically) once they make a decision. Since you filed last Monday, I'd expect to hear something by the end of next week or early the week after. For your rent situation, you might want to reach out to your landlord now to let them know about the timing - many are understanding about unemployment delays if you communicate upfront. Also echoing what others said about filing your weekly certifications immediately - don't wait for approval!

I just wanted to add another perspective since I went through this process twice - once in 2022 and again earlier this year. The first time took almost 6 weeks because I didn't realize I needed to provide additional documentation about my previous employer (they had since closed down). The second time was much smoother at just under 3 weeks. My advice would be to log into your account frequently and check for any messages or document requests - they don't always send email notifications for everything. Also, if you haven't already, make sure you have your direct deposit information set up correctly in the system. Nothing worse than getting approved and then waiting extra days for a paper check to arrive in the mail. Good luck with your claim Miguel, and definitely follow everyone's advice about those weekly certifications!

Just want to say I understand the position you're in. The gap between early retirement and Social Security eligibility is tough to navigate financially.

I'm actually dealing with something similar right now at 64. One thing to consider is whether you could negotiate a severance package that includes having your employer classify it as a layoff rather than retirement. Some companies will work with employees on this, especially if they're already planning cuts. It might be worth having a conversation with HR about your options before making any final decisions. Also, look into COBRA and other health insurance options since that's usually a big expense during this transition period.

One more suggestion based on my experience - after I used Claimyr to get through to a rep, I learned my claim was held up because I had accidentally answered YES to the question about being out of my authorized work area during one week's certification. I didn't even remember doing this! The agent was able to correct it on the spot. Double-check all your past certifications if possible to see if you might have made a similar mistake along the way.

I finally got through to someone!!! After 3+ hours on hold today. Turns out my claim was flagged for "additional wage verification" because I had worked in both NY and NJ last year. They never notified me about needing additional documents! The agent released the hold and said I should receive all my backpay within 3-5 business days. I'm cautiously optimistic but won't believe it until I see the money. Thank you all for your help and suggestions during this nightmare!

I went through this exact same situation last year! The key thing to remember is that it's all about your earnings, not the number of hours worked. I was working two part-time jobs and was worried I wouldn't qualify, but it turned out I had enough wages spread across the quarters. One tip - if you don't qualify under the regular base period, NY also has an "alternate base period" which uses the most recent 4 quarters instead of the standard calculation. This can sometimes help if you had lower earnings earlier but have been making more money recently. Definitely worth mentioning when you file your claim if the regular base period doesn't work out for you.

Just wanted to share my experience - I was in a similar boat with multiple part-time jobs and irregular hours. What really helped me was requesting a wage transcript from the Social Security Administration before filing my claim. It shows all your reported wages by quarter and employer, so you can see exactly what NYS DOL will be looking at when they calculate your base period. You can request it online at ssa.gov and it's free. Having that in hand made the whole process much smoother because I knew ahead of time whether I'd meet the requirements. Also, don't forget that some employers might have reported your wages under slightly different names or business entities, so double-check everything matches up!