This whole system is so backwards! Why can't they just make it retroactive to your last day of work? It's like they're punishing people for not knowing the rules. I lost out on 3 weeks because nobody told me this when I got fired.

I completely understand the frustration - I went through the same thing when I got laid off from my restaurant job last year. The key thing everyone's mentioned is absolutely right: file TODAY. Don't wait another day. I learned the hard way that NYS doesn't backdate claims, so every day you delay is money out of your pocket. The application on my.ny.gov is actually pretty straightforward once you get started. You'll need your Social Security number, driver's license, and employment info from the last 18 months. Even if you're still job hunting (which is great!), you can continue looking while collecting benefits - just make sure to report any work you do. The system is designed to support you while you find your next job, so use it!

I went through a similar investigation last year and it was nerve-wracking, but it worked out fine since I had kept good records. In my case, it was triggered because my former employer initially reported that I was terminated for cause, but later changed it to a layoff after I provided documentation. The investigation took about 6 weeks total. My advice: gather everything now - pay stubs, bank statements, job search logs, any emails with employers about your separation. Also, if you haven't already, request a copy of your complete unemployment file from NYS DOL so you can see exactly what information they have. Most investigations of honest claimants get resolved favorably, it's just a slow process.

I went through this exact same thing about 8 months ago and it was terrifying at first, but it turned out to be a data matching error. In my case, NYS DOL's system flagged me because someone with a similar name and birth date had filed fraudulent claims in a different region. The investigation took about 10 weeks total, but I was able to continue receiving benefits during the process (though they put a hold on payments for about 2 weeks initially). My biggest recommendation is to be proactive - don't wait for them to contact you again. Start gathering all your documentation now: employment separation letters, pay stubs from any part-time work, your job search activity logs, and any correspondence with former employers. Also, consider filing a Freedom of Information Act request to get your complete unemployment file so you can see exactly what triggered the investigation. Most importantly, respond to every communication immediately and keep copies of everything you send them. The fraud unit investigators are actually pretty reasonable once you get to talk to them - they deal with real fraud cases daily, so they can usually tell when someone is being honest.

I just went through this same process last month! Got approved for about $2,800 in back pay and it took exactly 4 business days to hit my account with direct deposit through Wells Fargo. What helped ease my anxiety was checking the NY.gov payment history page - it updated to show "Payment Issued" about 6 hours before the money actually appeared in my banking app. They definitely don't send any email notifications, so you just have to keep checking. The waiting is brutal when you have bills piling up, but based on when you got approved, you should hopefully see something by tomorrow or Friday at the latest. Keep us posted on when it comes through - these timeline updates really help others going through the same thing!

Just wanted to add my recent experience to help with the timeline expectations! I got approved for NY back pay ($3,400) about 3 weeks ago and it took exactly 2 business days to hit my account with direct deposit through TD Bank. The key thing I learned is to keep refreshing the NY.gov payment history page - mine updated to show "Payment Issued" around 11 PM on day 2, and then the money was pending in my bank account when I woke up the next morning. No email notification at all, which is frustrating but seems to be normal. Miguel, since you got approved yesterday and have direct deposit, I'd expect you'll see movement in your payment history by tomorrow evening at the latest. The $4,800 amount shouldn't cause any delays - mine was processed as one lump sum. Fingers crossed it comes through quickly for you!

did you try the online messaging system? sometimes thats faster than calling. go to your account and click on messages and start a new one. describe your issue clearly and ask for help. they got back to me in 3 days which isn't great but better than nothing.

I'm dealing with this exact same issue right now! My payments stopped 2 weeks ago after months of regular deposits. The "pending" status is driving me crazy and I can't get through to anyone on the phone either. Reading through all these comments, it sounds like the callback service might be worth trying since so many people have had success with it. Has anyone tried contacting their local unemployment office directly instead of the main number? I'm wondering if that might have shorter wait times. Also going to check my spam folder again after reading that suggestion - maybe I missed something. This whole system is such a mess but at least it's reassuring to know I'm not the only one going through this nightmare right now.

my cousin does seasonal work at a resort and gets unemployment every winter. just make sure you file right away when the season ends

I work seasonal construction and have been getting unemployment benefits during slow winter months for the past 3 years. The trick is documenting everything - keep pay stubs from all your seasonal jobs and make sure your employers report your wages correctly. Also, when you file your weekly certification, be honest about your availability but emphasize that you're actively looking for work even during off-season. The NYS DOL website has a good calculator to estimate if you've earned enough in your base period to qualify.