If you're having trouble reaching the NYS Department of Labor to ask questions about the appeal process, there's a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that can help you get through to an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. I used it when my employer appealed and I needed to understand the hearing procedures.

Just wanted to say good luck! The fact that you were approved initially is a good sign. Document everything and don't let them intimidate you.

Try certifying really early in the morning like 5 or 6 AM when fewer people are online. That's what I do and never have problems.

I'm having the same issue! Been trying since 8am and keep getting timeout errors. What's frustrating is that I can see my claim status and payment history just fine, but the moment I click on weekly certification the whole thing crashes. I tried using my phone's mobile data instead of wifi in case it was a connection issue on my end, but no luck. Really hoping this gets fixed soon because I can't afford to miss this week either.

The whole system is designed to push people into taking crappy jobs so they can get you off the unemployment rolls. They'll tell you it's about 'suitable work' but really they just want to save money. Document everything and know your rights.

I'm new to this community and just started collecting unemployment myself after being laid off from my marketing job. This is really helpful information - I had no idea about the 80% rule for the first 13 weeks! I'm saving this thread because I'm sure I'll need to reference it. Quick question though - when you document job offers you decline, what's the best way to do that? Should I keep emails, write down details, or is there a specific form NYS DOL wants us to use? Thanks for sharing your experience!

Thank you all so much for the help! I think I understand now - I'll definitely answer YES to returning to work, and I'll track my hours meticulously. Since I'll be working 4 hours each day, 5 days a week, it sounds like I probably won't get any UI benefits, which is disappointing but at least I know what to expect. I'll keep certifying every week anyway to keep my claim active while I look for full-time work. Really appreciate all the explanations!

Just wanted to add something important that might help you and others - make sure you understand the difference between "gross earnings" and "net pay" when reporting. NY DOL wants your GROSS earnings (before any deductions like taxes, insurance, etc.), not what you actually take home. I made this mistake early on and had to correct it later. Also, if your employer gives you any tips or bonuses, those count toward your gross earnings too and need to be reported. Keep all your pay stubs and write down your daily hours immediately - don't try to remember later because DOL is very strict about accuracy!

wait so if it says denied with relief that means approved?? this is so backwards lol why cant they just say APPROVED instead of using lawyer words

I'm dealing with something similar right now! When I called the NYS Department of Labor help line (after waiting on hold for 2 hours), the representative explained that "denied with relief" specifically means your initial denial was overturned through the appeals process. The "relief" part is the legal term for the remedy you received - basically the judge ruled in your favor and granted you relief from the original denial decision. You should see retroactive payments within 3-5 business days. Keep filing your weekly certifications while waiting for the back pay to process. Also double-check that all your banking info is correct in your account to avoid any payment delays.