i’m waiting on it

Just want to add my experience to help others going through this - I was in adjudication for about 5 weeks and finally got approved last month. One thing that really helped was setting up text alerts through the my.ny.gov portal (if you go to Account Settings > Notifications). I got a text the same day my status changed to approved, which was way faster than waiting for me to check the website. Also, don't panic if you see weird temporary status changes - mine briefly showed "Denied" for like 2 hours before switching to "Approved" the same day. Apparently that's just a system glitch that happens sometimes. The most important thing is to keep certifying every week and respond immediately to any correspondence. I know the waiting is terrible but most legitimate claims do get approved eventually!

The whole exempt employer thing is confusing. I worked for a church and they told me religious organizations don't pay unemployment but then I found out some do?? Makes no sense

Just wanted to add that even if your employer was exempt, you might still have other options. If you had a previous job within the last 18 months where the employer DID pay into unemployment insurance, you could potentially qualify based on that work history. NYS Department of Labor looks at your entire base period (usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters) when determining eligibility. So don't give up - definitely file that claim and let them sort out the details!

This thread is absolutely amazing! I just started collecting NY unemployment in March and was so worried about potentially missing a certification week. Reading through @Keisha Johnson's experience and everyone's incredible advice has been such a relief! I had no idea about the email reminder feature through NY.gov that @Zara Ahmed and so many others mentioned - just enabled it right away along with setting up multiple Sunday morning phone alarms. The tip about calling right at 8am seems to be the universal success strategy based on everyone's experiences. Also love the certification log idea to keep track of everything. It's incredible how this community shares such practical, real-world solutions that you just can't find on the official websites. Makes navigating the unemployment system feel so much more manageable knowing there are proven strategies and such supportive people who've been through similar situations. Thank you to everyone who contributed - this has become the ultimate guide for handling missed certifications!

This thread has been incredibly valuable! As someone who just started collecting NY unemployment this month, I was really anxious about the certification process and what would happen if I ever messed up. Reading @Keisha Johnson's experience and seeing how quickly it got resolved by calling at 8am is so reassuring! I immediately went and set up those email reminders through NY.gov that @Zara Ahmed mentioned - can't believe that feature isn't more widely known. Also implementing the multiple alarm system that @Amina Sy and others recommended. The certification log idea is brilliant too for keeping track of everything. It's amazing how much more helpful this real-world advice is compared to the confusing official websites. This community really shows how much easier these systems become when people share their actual experiences and proven solutions. Thank you to everyone who contributed their tips - you've turned what seemed like a potential nightmare into something totally manageable!

Make sure your camera works! They won't count it if they cant see you

Thanks everyone for all the info! This is really helpful. I've been stressing about this appointment for days. Going to get my work search records organized and update my resume this weekend. Good to know it's more about helping than interrogating. Still nervous but feeling way better about it now 🙏

The whole system is so frustrating! They make you jump through hoops to prove you deserve benefits even when your employer was clearly in the wrong. I hope you get approved but be prepared for a fight.

I went through something similar about 6 months ago - questioned a policy that I felt was putting employees at risk and got terminated for "defying management." NYS Department of Labor actually approved my claim after adjudication because they determined that refusing to follow potentially unsafe directives doesn't constitute willful misconduct. The key is being honest about your motivations and having any documentation about the safety concerns. It took about 4 weeks for them to make their decision, but it was worth the wait. Don't let your employer intimidate you into not filing - you have every right to apply and let NYS Department of Labor make the determination.