CALL THEM!!! Seriously, sitting around waiting won't fix it. My claim was stuck for 3 months until I finally got through. Use claimyr.com if u keep getting the busy signal

Hey NebulaNova! I went through almost the exact same thing last year - approved in July but didn't see a penny until November. Turns out there was an identity verification issue they never told me about. Here's what finally worked for me: 1. Log into your account and check if there's any pending correspondence or questionnaires 2. Look for any "eligibility review" notices 3. Make sure your direct deposit info is correct 4. Call the claims center early morning (like 8:01 AM sharp) The good news is YES you'll get all your backpay once they resolve whatever's holding it up. I got like $2,800 dropped into my account all at once. Keep certifying every week no matter what - that's super important for getting your full backpay. Don't give up, you're not alone in this! 💪

just be honest about everything! i got in trouble once for not reporting some cash work i did and had to pay back benefits plus penalties. not worth it

Just wanted to add my experience - I've been doing part-time work while on unemployment for about 6 months now. You definitely don't need to call ahead, just report everything accurately on your weekly certification. Make sure you have your pay stubs ready when you file because you'll need to enter your gross earnings (before taxes). The system is pretty straightforward once you get used to it. One tip: file your weekly claim as soon as possible after your benefit week ends to avoid any delays in processing.

I'm dealing with something similar right now - down to my last week of benefits with months left until my BYE date. From what I've researched and heard from others here, it sounds like we're basically stuck until either we qualify for a new claim (which requires significant work history since filing) or wait until the BYE date. Has anyone had success with getting temporary assistance programs to bridge the gap? I'm worried about the time it takes to get approved for things like SNAP and rental assistance. Also wondering if there are any local programs in NYC specifically that might help during this transition period. Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences - this whole system is so confusing and stressful when you're already dealing with job search anxiety!

I'm in a very similar boat - just got down to my last 2 weeks of benefits and my BYE date isn't until June. Reading through all these responses has been super helpful, especially about the 10x weekly benefit rule for qualifying for a new claim early. One thing I wanted to add that I learned from my local workforce development center: if you do have some work history since filing but aren't sure if it's enough to qualify, DON'T guess! They told me that filing a new claim when you don't actually qualify can create a mess in the system that takes forever to untangle. Also, for anyone in a similar situation - I started the SNAP application process last week and they have an online pre-screening tool that gives you an idea if you'll qualify and for how much. It at least helps with planning while you wait for the full application to process. This whole system really needs to be clearer about what happens when you exhaust days before your BYE date. It's stressful enough being unemployed without having to decode all this bureaucracy! 😤

Other qualifying separations include being fired for reasons other than misconduct, layoffs, plant closures, or leaving due to domestic violence. The key is proving you didn't quit without good cause. Your hour reduction sounds like it would qualify but be prepared for them to contact your employer during the investigation.

I went through this exact situation last year with NYS Department of Labor. A reduction from 40 to 15 hours is definitely substantial enough to qualify as good cause for leaving - that's over a 60% cut in your income! When you file your claim, make sure to select "reduction in hours/wages" as your reason for separation. The department will likely schedule a phone interview to get more details about your situation. Be prepared to explain that the reduced hours made it impossible to meet your basic living expenses and that your employer couldn't provide a timeline for when hours would be restored. I'd also recommend documenting any job search efforts you made while still employed at reduced hours, as this shows you tried to mitigate the situation before leaving.

wait so if my benefit year ends but i still have money left in my balance i lose that money? that seems wrong

I'm in the exact same boat right now! Filed in March too and getting really anxious about when this all ends. From what I'm reading here, it sounds like I need to log into my.ny.gov and check my remaining balance and benefit year end date. Has anyone here had luck with the extended benefits programs that sometimes kick in during high unemployment periods, or is that not a thing in NY right now? Also @CosmicCowboy - definitely keep track of your job search activities because they can audit that stuff even if you're still within your 26 weeks.