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The unemployment system is so confusing for drivers though. I had to explain my work history going back like forever and they kept asking about why I had gaps between jobs. Like hello, sometimes there's downtime between companies!
I went through this exact situation last year after getting laid off from a regional carrier. As long as your employer paid into NY unemployment insurance and you meet the wage requirements, you should be fine. The fact that you drive across state lines doesn't matter - it's all about where your employer is registered and paying unemployment taxes. Make sure you have your pay stubs and separation notice ready when you apply. The online application is pretty straightforward, just be thorough with your work history details.
This is really helpful! I'm in a similar situation - just got let go from a long-haul company based in Rochester. Did you have any issues with the wage verification process? I'm worried because some of my recent pay stubs show different state deductions since we delivered all over the northeast. Also, how long did it take for your first payment to come through after approval?
The real tragedy here is that NY unemployment is so impossible to contact that we cant even verify if communication from them is legitimate or not. The whole system is broken beyond belief.
preach 🙌 been saying this for 2 years now. they created the perfect environment for scammers to thrive.
true that. If they actually answered their phones or emails these scams wouldn't work so well
Just want to add that I've seen these phishing emails getting more sophisticated lately. They're now using official-looking letterheads, correct formatting, and even referencing real unemployment programs. The key things to always check: 1) Email domain must be .ny.gov, 2) They'll never ask you to re-verify info they already have, 3) No legitimate government agency creates urgent 72-hour deadlines via email. When in doubt, always go directly to the official website and log into your account - if there's really an issue, it'll show up in your secure messages there. Stay safe everyone!
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.
File now and report the severance. NYS Department of Labor will determine how it affects your benefit timing. Don't wait because there's a time limit on when you can file after becoming unemployed.
@Sofia Gomez is right about filing ASAP. I made the mistake of waiting when I had severance and almost missed the deadline. NYS Department of Labor has specific rules about how severance affects your waiting period, but you need to get your application in first. They ll'calculate everything based on when you report it during your weekly certifications.
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!
The whole system is broken honestly. Been dealing with NYS Department of Labor for years and it just gets worse. They take forever to make determinations then if you appeal it takes another 2 months for a hearing. Meanwhile people can't pay rent or buy groceries. It's ridiculous.
Keep filing your weekly claims even while determination is pending - that's important! Once your claim gets approved you'll get back pay for all the weeks you were eligible. Also make sure you're doing your job search activities and keeping records in case they ask for them later.
This is really important advice! I've been continuing to file my weekly claims but wasn't sure if I was supposed to. Good to know about the back pay - that gives me some hope. I have been keeping track of my job searches just in case. Thanks for the reassurance that I'm doing the right things while waiting.
Liam McConnell
Just to follow up - were you able to get through to anyone? Did your payment show up? Hoping you got it sorted out before rent was due!
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Zoe Kyriakidou
•Yes! I used that Claimyr service you recommended and got connected to an agent yesterday. They said there was a random system flag on my account for verification, but since I got through to someone, they were able to remove the hold and process my payment. It should arrive tomorrow. Thanks for the recommendation - saved me a ton of stress!
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CosmicCaptain
•Glad to hear it worked out! For anyone else reading this thread later - if you see no payment date in your history after certification, don't wait more than 3 business days to start trying to contact someone. The longer these issues go unaddressed, the more complicated they can become.
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Ethan Brown
So glad you got it resolved! I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - claimed on Sunday and still no payment showing up in my history. Reading through all these responses has been really helpful. I'm going to try calling early tomorrow morning like Mei suggested, and if that doesn't work I'll check out the Claimyr service. It's reassuring to know that these random system flags are somewhat common and can usually be cleared up once you actually talk to someone. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences!
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