Just want to add that if you're still having trouble getting through by phone, you can also try contacting your local state assembly member's office. I know it sounds weird but they actually have dedicated liaisons who can help with unemployment issues. I did this last year when I was stuck in appeals hell and they got my case moving within a week. Most people don't know this is an option but elected officials' offices deal with NYSDOL problems all the time. You can find your assembly member on the NY State Assembly website - just search by your zip code. Worth trying if the phone system keeps failing you!

Wow, this thread has been incredibly informative! I'm a newcomer here but dealing with almost the exact same situation - filed for NY unemployment back in December and never received back pay for about 6 weeks I was eligible for before my claim was processed. Reading through everyone's experiences, I feel so much more prepared now to tackle this issue. The key takeaways seem to be: call early Monday morning (7:59am), specifically ask for a "Retroactive Payment Specialist", use the term "retroactive benefits", and have all documentation ready. @Paolo Conti's success story is really encouraging - congrats on getting your $2,180! I'm definitely going to try the Claimyr service if I can't get through the regular way. It's amazing how this supposedly "automatic" system requires so much manual intervention. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and tips - this community knowledge is invaluable for navigating these bureaucratic nightmares!

I'm in a similar situation - filed my claim 8 days ago and the waiting is killing me! The automated phone line at 888-209-8124 that Zara mentioned was really helpful. When I called, it told me my claim was received and gave me my effective date, but still shows "pending review." One thing I noticed is that in the "Claim Summary" section of my.ny.gov (under Unemployment Services), there's a small status indicator that says either "Active," "Pending," or "Under Review" - you might need to scroll down to see it. Also, I've been keeping a log of all my weekly certifications just in case there are any issues later. Hang in there - from what everyone is saying, this waiting period seems pretty normal even though it's incredibly stressful when you need the money!

I'm dealing with the exact same issue! Filed my claim 9 days ago and the uncertainty is really stressful. Thanks to everyone who shared the automated phone number (888-209-8124) - I just called and it confirmed my claim was received with an effective date from my filing date. The status shows "under review" which matches what others are seeing. I found the status indicator in the Claim Summary section that Toot-n-Mighty mentioned - had to scroll down but it's there showing "Pending Review." It's frustrating that the system doesn't make this information more obvious, but at least now I know my claim is actually in their system and being processed. Going to keep doing my weekly certifications and try to be patient, though it's hard when you're worried about bills!

I'm having the exact same issue! Got that "not authorized" message when I tried to certify this morning and it completely freaked me out. Been claiming for about 4 months without any problems until today. Reading through all these responses is actually really reassuring - sounds like this is happening to a lot of people right now which makes me think it's probably a system-wide glitch rather than individual account issues. I'm going to try the incognito browser window trick first since that's quick and easy, then call that technical support number (1-888-581-5812) if that doesn't work. The timing is terrible since I have rent due next week too. Really grateful for this community - it's such a relief to find other people dealing with the same problem and sharing solutions! Will definitely update if any of the suggested fixes work for me. Fingers crossed we all get this sorted out soon! 🤞

This is happening to me too right now! I've been trying to certify since this morning and keep getting that same "not authorized" error. It's so frustrating because I've been claiming for about 7 months with absolutely no issues until today. Reading through everyone's experiences here is actually really comforting though - it seems like this is hitting a lot of people at the same time which definitely makes it sound like a system-wide problem rather than individual account issues. I'm going to try some of the solutions people have mentioned - starting with the incognito browser window since that's quick, then clearing all my browser data completely. If those don't work, I'll definitely try calling that technical support number (1-888-581-5812) that someone shared since it sounds way better than the main line. The timing is just terrible - I have utilities due this week and was counting on this payment. But it's reassuring to read that people have been able to get backpay even when they miss their certification window due to technical issues. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and solutions - this community is such a lifesaver when dealing with NY unemployment's disaster of a system! I'll post an update if any of these fixes work for me. 🤞

medical coding is probably a good choice right now, lots of healthcare jobs. but definitely get the approval first like everyone is saying

I went through the training benefits process last year and wanted to share some tips that might help. First, the approval process Miguel asked about typically takes 2-3 weeks, so definitely apply before your program starts. Second, there are actually two main pathways - the Training Extension Benefits (TEB) that Zainab mentioned, and also Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) if your job loss was due to foreign trade impact. For medical coding specifically, that's usually approved since healthcare is a high-demand field. The key is to have all your paperwork ready - enrollment letter from the training provider, course curriculum, and evidence that it leads to employment in your area. Also, keep copies of everything because you'll need to submit progress reports to maintain your benefits.

I'm currently going through this exact situation too - been suspended without pay for 3 days now while my employer investigates some allegations. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been so incredibly helpful and reassuring! I was really stressed about whether I could even file since I'm technically still employed, but it's clear from all these success stories that unpaid suspension definitely qualifies for NYS unemployment benefits. I'm planning to file my claim tomorrow and will follow all the great advice here - be completely transparent, select "temporarily laid off" with a detailed explanation, have my employer's contact info ready, and document everything. It's such a relief to know that so many people have navigated this successfully. Thank you all for sharing your experiences and creating such a supportive community - knowing I'm not alone in this situation really helps reduce the anxiety while waiting for my investigation to conclude!

I just want to echo what everyone else has said here - you absolutely can and should file for unemployment benefits while suspended without pay. I went through this same situation about 6 months ago when I was suspended for 3 weeks pending a workplace investigation. The most important things I learned: 1) File immediately since there's typically a waiting period, 2) Be completely honest about the suspension when applying, 3) Select "temporarily laid off" and explain the situation clearly in the comments, and 4) Keep all documentation from your employer about the timeline. NYS DOL treats unpaid suspension the same as temporary layoffs since you're not receiving wages but are available for work. The employer verification call is just routine - nothing to stress about. I was approved within about a week and the whole process was much smoother than expected. Don't let uncertainty keep you from filing - you're in exactly the situation these benefits are designed to help with!