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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!
I'm in a similar situation - have a felony from 2020 and recently became unemployed. Reading through these responses is really helpful and encouraging. It sounds like the key is that unemployment benefits are based on your work history and contributions, not your criminal background. I was also worried about applying but now I feel more confident about filing my claim. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences!
You're absolutely right to feel more confident! I was in a similar boat a few months ago and was so anxious about applying. But like everyone here has said, the NYS Department of Labor really does focus on your work eligibility and contributions rather than criminal history. The application process was much smoother than I expected. One tip - make sure you have all your employment information ready (dates, employer details, reason for separation) before you start the online application. It makes the whole process go much faster. Good luck with your claim!
I went through this exact situation in 2022 with a felony from 2017. Filed my claim online and was approved without any issues - they never asked about criminal history during the entire process. The only time it comes up is when you're job searching and have to disclose to employers, but that's separate from your unemployment eligibility. NYS Department of Labor really does base everything on your work credits and why you lost your job. Since you were working steadily and paying into the system, you should definitely apply. Don't let worry hold you back from getting benefits you've earned through your work contributions.
Carmen Reyes
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.
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Nia Harris
•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?
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Emma Anderson
•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!
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Miguel Castro
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!
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