ugh this is so annoying, why do companies have to make everything harder?? i got laid off too and worried my employer might do the same thing. did you get any warning they were going to appeal or did it just show up randomly?

I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago. My employer appealed even though I was clearly laid off due to company restructuring. What I learned is that some companies have policies to automatically appeal all unemployment claims regardless of the circumstances - it's just a business decision to try to keep their tax rates low. The hearing process was actually pretty straightforward once I got through it. The administrative law judge was fair and I had my layoff documentation ready. Just stay organized with your paperwork and don't let it stress you out too much - if you were legitimately laid off, the appeal likely won't succeed.

I'm going through something similar right now - filed in June, approved, but only got 3 payments before everything just stopped. It's incredibly frustrating because like you, I keep certifying every week but my account just shows "pending" with zero explanation. One thing I discovered is that you can also try reaching out through their Twitter account @nylabor - they sometimes respond faster there than through phone calls. I sent them a DM with my claim details and got a response within 48 hours (though they just told me to keep waiting, at least it was acknowledgment). Also, if you have any documentation from your previous employer about your termination/layoff, make sure you have copies ready. Sometimes they request this stuff randomly during reviews and having it ready can speed things up. Hang in there - from what I'm reading here it seems like most people eventually get their payments, it's just a matter of persistence. The system is clearly broken but we have to work within it unfortunately.

I'm dealing with almost the exact same situation! Filed in late June, got approved with a $520 weekly benefit, but haven't seen a penny since August. It's now been 10 weeks of certifying with nothing but "pending" status. What's really helped me so far is documenting EVERYTHING - screenshots of my account status, dates I called, any emails or messages. I started a spreadsheet to track it all because I have a feeling I'll need this documentation later. Also, try calling the technical support line instead of the regular claims line sometimes - the number is 888-581-5812. I've had slightly better luck getting through there, and they can at least confirm if there are any technical issues with your account. One thing that's kept me sane through this process is remembering that once it gets resolved, you should receive all the back payments for every week you properly certified. So even though it's financially devastating right now, the money is technically accumulating. Doesn't help with immediate bills though... Keep pushing - from reading everyone's responses here it seems like persistence is really the only way through this broken system.

The schedule change thing might work but you need to prove it was a substantial change from your original job agreement and that it creates undue hardship. Save all communications about the schedule changes and document how it affects your ability to maintain childcare arrangements.

I went through something similar with my previous employer constantly changing my hours with no notice. What really helped my case was keeping a detailed log of every schedule change - dates, times, how much notice I was given, and how it impacted my childcare arrangements. I also saved screenshots of the original job posting and my employment agreement that showed my expected schedule. When I applied for unemployment after quitting, having that paper trail made all the difference. The key is showing that the employer materially changed your working conditions from what was originally agreed upon. Document everything now before you make any decisions!

took me 4 months to get approved w alternate base period but I got all my backpay. hang in there

Hey Ravi! The monetary determination letter is actually good news - it means you meet the wage requirements for benefits. Now you just need to wait for the eligibility determination where they review why you lost your job. Keep doing your weekly certifications even while waiting, and make sure you're doing your work search activities (3 per week in NY). If you get approved, you'll receive backpay from your claim date of 10/07/2024. The wait can be frustrating but you're on the right track! 👍

Just went through this exact same thing last week! That confusing interface had me second-guessing everything. As everyone said, DO NOT click "File A Claim" - that's only for new claims. The fact that it says "You have already claimed benefits for this week" means your certification went through successfully. I always click "View Payment History" just to double-check that my certification shows up properly, then log out. The NY system really needs a complete overhaul - it's like they designed it to be as confusing as possible! You're all good until next Wednesday.

I had this same exact confusion when I first started claiming! That "File A Claim" button being so prominent after you've already certified is super misleading. Like others have said, definitely don't click it - it's just part of the main menu that shows up for everyone regardless of claim status. The key thing is that message saying "You have already claimed benefits for this week" - that's your confirmation everything went through properly. I always feel paranoid about the NY system too because it's so poorly designed, but as long as you see that confirmation message, you're good to go until next week!