Just file online ASAP. Don't beat yourself up about it, lots of people make the same mistake thinking they'll find work fast. At least you can still get benefits going forward.

Don't feel too bad about waiting - it shows you were trying to be responsible and find work on your own first. While you can't get those 6 weeks back, you can still file now and start receiving benefits going forward. The online application is pretty straightforward, just make sure you have your employer information and dates ready. And definitely start filing weekly claims as soon as your initial application is processed. Better late than never!

UPDATE: Just wanted to let everyone know my claim finally moved from pending to approved this morning! Exactly 25 days after filing. No intervention needed - it just eventually processed on its own. Thanks for all the advice and reassurance that this was normal. All the back payments were deposited at once like some of you mentioned. Such a relief!

Congrats on getting approved! That's such great news and really helpful for others going through the same thing. Your timeline of 25 days matches what a lot of people are experiencing right now. Thanks for taking the time to update the thread - it's always reassuring to see success stories and know that the system does eventually work, even if it feels painfully slow while you're waiting. Hope the job search goes well for you!

Make sure when you appeal you're super clear about the timeline of events and that you have witnesses or documentation. NYS Department of Labor will schedule a hearing where both you and your employer can present evidence. Since you have that company email about store closures, that should be strong evidence in your favor. Don't let this discourage you from appealing - wrongful disqualifications get overturned all the time when people have proper documentation.

I went through something similar when I was disqualified for "misconduct" even though I was actually laid off due to budget cuts. The key thing to remember is that disqualification decisions are often based on incomplete or incorrect information from employers. File your appeal as soon as possible - you can do it online through the NYS Department of Labor website. In your appeal, be very detailed about what actually happened and include any evidence you have. The company closure email you mentioned will be crucial evidence. Also, consider reaching out to your former coworkers who were also laid off - they could serve as witnesses if needed. Don't give up on this - with proper documentation, these cases often get resolved in the claimant's favor.

anyone get their missing money yet? its been 3 days for me and still nothing

This is such a relief to see it resolved! I was about to panic when I saw my payment was cut in half this week too. I'm glad I found this thread before spending all day trying to call. I'll keep an eye on my account over the next few days for the adjustment payment. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - it's so helpful to know we're not alone in dealing with these system glitches!

The whole system is a mess. They make it sound like everyone who filed during covid was committing fraud but most of us were just trying to survive. Now they're going after legitimate claimants while the real fraudsters probably got away with millions.

I went through this exact same review process about 6 months ago and it was nerve-wracking but ultimately fine. The key thing is to respond quickly and provide everything they ask for. Don't wait until the last minute on that 10-day deadline. I organized all my documents in a folder - pay stubs, tax forms, bank statements showing my employment ended when I claimed it did. The review took about a month total but they sent me a letter saying everything was cleared. The fraud investigation is really targeting people who filed under fake identities or were working while claiming benefits, not legitimate claimants like you who just need to verify their paperwork.