


Ask the community...
Keep filing your weekly claims while this gets sorted out! Even if there's an adjudication issue, you don't want to miss your filing dates. The NYS Department of Labor can always adjust payments retroactively if your church's coverage gets verified.
I went through something similar when I worked at a Methodist church. The verification process can be nerve-wracking but hang in there! In my case, it turned out the church had elected coverage years ago but there was some paperwork mix-up in the system. The DOL eventually straightened it out and I received all my back benefits. Make sure you keep documenting everything - save all your correspondence and take screenshots of your online account status. If you have any old pay stubs from the church, check if they show unemployment tax deductions (SUTA) - that would be a good sign they were paying into the system.
Has anyone else noticed that the unemployment system seems designed to be as confusing and frustrating as possible? It's like they're trying to discourage people from claiming benefits they're entitled to. 🤬
Just went through this exact situation last week! Here's what worked for me: I called the main unemployment line at 8am sharp when they opened and got through in about 20 minutes (way better than the usual 2+ hour wait). The agent was actually pretty helpful - I just explained my travel dates and she noted it in my file. She said as long as I'm still available for work and continue my job search while away, it shouldn't be a problem. Make sure you have your SSN and claim number ready. Also, they might ask if you're traveling for work-related reasons, so be prepared to explain. Don't stress too much - they deal with this all the time! Safe travels! ✈️
this whole system is so confusing why cant they just make it simple to understand when you can reapply and what you need
I went through this same process about 8 months ago when my original claim expired. The application itself is pretty straightforward on the NY.gov website, but definitely gather all your employment documents first - W-2s, pay stubs, and exact dates of employment. One thing that caught me off guard was that they asked for really specific information about why I left each job, so have those details ready. The whole process took about 2 weeks from application to getting my first payment. Good luck!
Just wanted to update - checked my account this morning and my payment went through! The level 3 thing was actually good news. Thanks everyone for the explanations, really helped calm my nerves.
I'm new here but wanted to share my recent experience with level 3. I had the same status show up last month and panicked because I couldn't find clear info anywhere online. Turns out @Yuki Sato is right - it means a senior adjudicator reviewed and closed your issue. Mine took about 5 business days after showing "issue closed level 3" before payments resumed, and I got all my back pay in one lump sum. The waiting is nerve-wracking but it's actually progress! Definitely check your correspondence inbox on my.ny.gov for any determination letters.
Noah huntAce420
The whole system is ridiculous. I've been dealing with an adjudication issue for 6 weeks now with NO explanation of what they're even reviewing. You jump through all their hoops, provide every document they ask for, and then they just leave you hanging. Make sure you document EVERYTHING because they'll find any excuse to delay or deny your claim.
0 coins
Ayla Kumar
•Adjudication delays are frustrating but they're usually reviewing employer responses or verifying eligibility. Have you tried contacting them to ask specifically what information they're waiting for?
0 coins
Ryan Young
Just to add some practical advice - when you apply online, have all your employer info ready including exact addresses and supervisor names if possible. The system can be glitchy so save your progress frequently. Also, file your weekly certifications on the same day each week to avoid any issues. I found Sunday mornings work best since the system is less busy. Make sure to keep detailed records of all your job search activities from day one - employer names, contact methods, dates, and responses. The job search log is crucial if they ever audit your claim.
0 coins