The whole system is ridiculous honestly. They make you jump through so many hoops just to get benefits you paid into. I got fired for being 10 minutes late THREE times and they still tried to deny my claim initially. Had to appeal and everything. NYS Department of Labor takes forever to make decisions.

I'm going through something similar right now - got fired last month for "performance issues" but I suspect it was retaliation for asking about overtime pay. Just wanted to add that when you file your claim, make sure to document everything about your termination. Keep any emails, write down exactly what your manager said, dates, etc. If your employer contests your claim (which they might), having good documentation really helps your case. Also don't let them intimidate you - many employers will tell you that you're not eligible just to discourage you from filing, but that's not their call to make. The NYS Department of Labor will investigate and make the final determination. Good luck!

Yes, they occasionally pause intake on certain platforms when volume gets too high. If Twitter isn't accepting messages, try Facebook messenger next, then LinkedIn, and lastly Instagram. They tend to monitor these platforms in that order of priority based on what we've observed.

This gives me hope! I've been stuck in limbo for 7 weeks now with a PUA eligibility issue. Every time I call, I either get disconnected after 2+ hours on hold or get transferred to someone who says they can't help with my specific problem. I'm definitely going to try messaging them on Twitter today. Quick question - when you got the callback, were you able to speak to someone who could actually access your file and make changes, or was it more of a preliminary screening call?

just keep filing every week even if you dont get paid right away!! i made the mistake of stopping when my first payment was delayed and then had to start all over again

The waiting period can definitely be stressful when you're worried about bills. One thing to keep in mind is that you should start looking for that first weekly claim certification to become available in your online account - it usually shows up on Sunday mornings. Make sure you complete it before the deadline (usually by the following Saturday). Also, if you set up direct deposit during your initial application, that will speed up payments once they start. The debit card option can add extra days to your first payment. Hang in there!

I wonder if this is something different from the regular unemployment exclusion? I already got that refund last year, so if you're just now seeing this, it might be something else...

Hey Jackie! I went through the exact same thing last year. That $1,189.58 is definitely yours - it's the unemployment tax adjustment refund from the American Rescue Plan Act. The IRS automatically recalculated your 2020 taxes to exclude up to $10,200 of unemployment income from being taxable. Here's what those confusing lines mean: - "Reduced or removed prior tax assessed" (-$1,178.00): This is the tax you originally paid on unemployment that you no longer owe - Interest credited (-$11.58): They're paying you interest for taking so long to process this - Total refund: $1,189.58 Most people are getting these as paper checks even if they normally get direct deposit. Mine took about 3 weeks to arrive after the transcript date. Definitely keep checking your mailbox! The notice they issued on the same day is just explaining the adjustment - totally normal. That January tax relief credit is likely related to stimulus/recovery rebate credits, separate from this unemployment thing. You're getting real money, just be patient! 🙂

To address your original question more directly - the complexity comes from federal and state regulations designed to ensure benefits go to eligible workers who are actively seeking employment. While it can feel overwhelming, each requirement serves a purpose. Focus on completing your weekly certifications on time, maintaining your job search log with 3+ contacts per week, and being available for work. Your pending status should resolve once they verify your employment history with your former employer.

I went through this exact same situation last year when I was laid off from my retail job. The "pending" status drove me crazy too - it ended up taking about 4-5 weeks before mine switched to "approved" and I got my first payment. During that time, I made the mistake of not keeping good job search records and had to scramble to recreate them when they asked for documentation. My advice: start documenting everything now even if your claim is still pending. Create a simple spreadsheet with columns for date, company name, position, how you applied (online, in person, etc.), and any follow-up. The NYS DOL website has a job search record form you can download that shows exactly what format they want. Also, don't stress too much about the complexity - once you get into the routine of weekly certifications it becomes second nature.