I'm going through this same issue right now and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I just tried the "View Benefit Payment History" method that Aisha mentioned and found my claim number there - it's kind of hidden but definitely there even though I haven't received any payments yet. For anyone else struggling with this, I'd recommend trying that first since it's the quickest if you can already log into my.ny.gov. The automated phone line at 1-888-209-8124 is my backup plan if I need it later. It's so frustrating that the NYS DOL system doesn't make this information more obvious, but at least there are workarounds. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences!

I just went through this exact situation last month! The claim number issue is so common and unnecessarily stressful. Here's what worked for me: First, try the automated line at 1-888-209-8124 - you can get your claim number without waiting for an agent. If that doesn't work, log into my.ny.gov and check under "View Benefit Payment History" - that's where mine was hiding even though I hadn't received any payments yet. Don't worry about filing your weekly claim though - you can use your SSN and PIN instead of the claim number and the system will still process it correctly. I was panicking for days thinking I'd miss my filing deadline, but there are definitely multiple workarounds. The NYS DOL system is confusing but once you know these tricks it gets easier!

I'm new to filing unemployment claims and this is really helpful information! I've been having the same issue this morning - kept getting "system unavailable" messages. Based on what everyone's saying, it sounds like I should try again this afternoon or evening when there's less traffic. Quick question though - when you say we have until Saturday to file, does that mean Saturday at midnight or is there a specific cutoff time? I want to make sure I don't miss the deadline while waiting for the system to work better. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences!

I'm going through this exact same situation right now! Been trying since early morning and keep getting the "system unavailable" message. It's really reassuring to see I'm not the only one and that there are solutions. Based on everyone's advice, I'm going to try again this afternoon using incognito mode and maybe the mobile app if the website still doesn't work. Thanks for posting this question - the responses have been super helpful! It's good to know we have until Saturday to file, that definitely takes the pressure off.

I'm currently in week 5 of waiting for my claim to clear adjudication and honestly, this entire thread has been like finding a treasure chest of hope! I was getting so anxious thinking that those 5 weeks of missed benefits would just disappear into the void. Reading story after story of people getting their full back pay from their original filing date is incredibly reassuring - it seems like this is actually the standard process, not some lucky exception. My situation is similar to many here - employer delays in responding to verification requests - and it's comforting to know that NYS Department of Labor recognizes these delays aren't our fault. I'm definitely saving all the practical advice about manually certifying for back weeks and checking payment history carefully. The financial strain has been intense, but knowing that literally everyone who shared their experience here got their retroactive benefits once approved is giving me the strength to keep pushing through. Thank you all so much for taking the time to document your journeys - this kind of community support is invaluable when you're navigating this stressful system!

I'm currently in week 6 of adjudication hell and this thread is literally saving my mental health right now! My claim got stuck because my previous employer apparently "lost" the initial request for separation information and then took weeks to respond to the follow-up. I was starting to think those 6 weeks of benefits were just gone forever, but reading everyone's experiences here is giving me real hope. The fact that literally every person who shared their story got their full back pay once approved is incredibly reassuring. I've been living off savings and credit cards, and knowing that $3,600+ in retroactive benefits is coming once this nightmare ends is helping me stay sane. I'm screenshot-saving all the advice about checking for manual weekly certifications and following up if payments don't appear within 2 weeks. This community is amazing - thank you all for sharing your experiences and giving those of us still waiting the hope we desperately need!

Make sure you have your bank account info ready for direct deposit setup too. Also if you were in a union or had any pension contributions, that might affect your claim so have those details available.

One thing to add - if you were laid off, try to get a separation letter from your employer stating the reason (layoff, lack of work, etc.). While not absolutely required, it can really speed up the process since NYS Department of Labor won't have to contact your employer to verify the reason for separation. This is especially helpful if your former company is slow to respond to unemployment inquiries.

Thanks everyone for the helpful info! Just want to add that you can also check your potential benefit amount before filing by using the NYS DOL benefit calculator on their website. It'll give you an estimate based on your wages from the past 18 months. Also, @Liam O'Sullivan make sure you file as soon as you're laid off - there's a one week waiting period before benefits start, and you can't get benefits for weeks you don't file. The sooner you start the process the better!

One thing to keep in mind is that your benefit amount is calculated using your "base period" which is usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you file. So if you file in January 2025, they'd look at your wages from January 2024 through September 2024. This means if you had a pay raise recently or worked more hours in recent months, that might not be reflected in your benefit calculation. Also, just to clarify on the overtime question - yes, all wages including overtime, bonuses, and tips are counted when they calculate your weekly benefit rate. The good news is at $18/hour for 35 hours, you should qualify for benefits since you need to have earned at least $2,600 in your base period.