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Mine took forever to reopen last time - like 3 weeks! And then when it finally did reopen, they said I owed money back from my previous claim period because apparently I made some mistake with reporting wages. The whole system is such a mess, I swear they make it complicated on purpose.
I had to appeal the overpayment determination and provide documentation showing my wages were reported correctly. It took another 2 months to resolve but they eventually waived the overpayment. Make sure you keep detailed records of everything you submit - screenshots, confirmation numbers, etc. The key is being persistent and documenting every interaction you have with them.
I'm in a similar situation - just submitted my reopen request yesterday after my contract job ended. Reading through these responses, it sounds like I should expect to wait at least a week or two. @Callum did you end up getting any confirmation email or notification when you submitted the reopen request? I'm not even sure if mine went through properly since the website didn't give me much feedback after I clicked submit.
@Mei I didn't get any confirmation email either when I submitted mine, which is really frustrating! The website just kind of refreshed and went back to the main page. I'm wondering if that's normal or if there was a technical issue. Has anyone else experienced this? It would be nice to at least get some kind of acknowledgment that they received the request.
Anyone dealt with this knows how many HOURS of our lives we waste trying to fix it. I ended up having my state senator's office help me. Email them explaining the situation and they can often get things moving faster than you can on your own.
This exact thing happened to me 6 months ago! Turns out someone had filed a claim using my SSN from a completely different state. What really helped me was documenting EVERYTHING - screenshots of error messages, dates/times of calls, etc. I finally got through by calling the fraud hotline at 888-598-2077 (mentioned above) at exactly 8am on a Tuesday. The agent was actually super helpful once I explained I was a fraud victim. They immediately flagged the fake claim and helped me file my legitimate one. The whole process took about 5 weeks total, but I did get all my backpay once it was resolved. Don't give up! Also definitely check your credit reports like others suggested - mine was clean but better safe than sorry. One tip: when you do get through to someone, ask them to email you a reference number for your fraud case. Having that number made follow-up calls WAY easier.
anyone else feel like the system is DESIGNED to be confusing so people just give up? like they're hoping we'll get frustrated and stop claiming? 🧐
This exact same thing happened to me! I was approved for benefits through March 2023 but suddenly my account shows them ending in December. I've been trying to call for days but can't get through. Reading all these comments makes me feel less crazy - at least it's not just me dealing with this nightmare. The system clearly has major issues right now. I'm definitely going to try that early Monday morning call trick and maybe look into that claimyr service too. It's so frustrating when you're already stressed about money and then the system that's supposed to help you just... doesn't work properly. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences!
Wait, I thought if you get fired you can't get unemployment? That's what my cousin told me when he got let go last year.
I went through almost the exact same thing! Got terminated for "attendance issues" even though I had legitimate reasons and my supervisor never gave me proper warnings. I filed immediately and got approved after about 2 weeks. The key is to be completely honest about why you were absent - family emergencies are considered legitimate reasons. NYS DOL will review everything and make their own determination. Don't let your employer's characterization discourage you from filing. You've paid into the system and deserve benefits if you qualify. File online today and start your weekly certifications right away!
Diego Flores
This thread has been super helpful! I'm in a similar situation and was also overthinking what to send. Based on everyone's experiences here, it sounds like the 2024 W2 alone should be sufficient. I especially appreciate the DOL rep confirming that extra documents can actually slow things down - that's exactly what I needed to hear to stop second-guessing myself. Quick question for those who uploaded online: did you scan your W2 or just take a clear photo with your phone? My scanner is acting up and I want to make sure a phone photo would be acceptable quality-wise.
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Isabella Ferreira
•I used my phone camera for mine and it worked perfectly! The key is good lighting and making sure you can clearly read all the numbers and text. I held my phone directly above the W2 on a flat surface and made sure there were no shadows or glare. The file size was actually smaller than a scan too, so it uploaded faster. Just double-check the image before submitting to make sure everything is crisp and readable - zoom in on the important parts like your SSN, employer info, and wage amounts. If any part looks blurry, retake it. Much easier than dealing with a finicky scanner!
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Grace Lee
Just wanted to add my experience from last year - I was in the exact same boat as you, totally overthinking what to send! I ended up just submitting my W2 through the online portal and it was approved without any issues. The whole process took about 8 days from submission to approval. One thing that really helped ease my anxiety was calling the DOL helpline before submitting (though I know that can be hit or miss getting through). The rep I spoke with confirmed that for most people with standard employment, the W2 is all they need. She also mentioned that if they need anything additional, they'll send you a specific request rather than rejecting your claim outright. The online upload is definitely the way to go - you get that immediate confirmation number and can check the status. Just make sure your scan/photo is crystal clear. Good luck!
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Val Rossi
•Thanks for sharing your experience, Grace! It's really reassuring to hear that you were in the same overthinking mindset and it worked out fine with just the W2. Eight days for approval sounds pretty reasonable too. I think I'm definitely going to go with just the 2024 W2 uploaded online based on everyone's advice here. The confirmation number and status checking features sound really helpful for peace of mind. Did you have to follow up at all during those 8 days, or did you just wait and it got processed automatically?
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