One more thing - if your employer is disputing the claim, you can request an expedited hearing by calling the hearings division directly. That number is separate from the main NYS Department of Labor line and sometimes you can get through easier. If there's a legitimate dispute, a hearing might actually be faster than waiting for adjudication to complete.

I'm going through the exact same thing right now - 5 weeks in adjudication with zero communication from NYS DOL. What's really frustrating is that they don't even tell you what specific issue triggered the review. I've tried the callback system but it never actually calls back. Has anyone had success contacting their local state assembly member's office? I heard they sometimes have staff who can reach out to the department on your behalf when constituents are facing hardship due to delays.

Just to add - the $504 maximum assumes you earned enough in your base period to qualify for it. If you just started working recently or had gaps in employment, your benefit amount could be much lower even with a decent salary.

One thing to keep in mind is that unemployment benefits are taxable income, so you'll want to factor that in when budgeting. You can choose to have taxes withheld (10% federal) or pay quarterly estimated taxes. Also, with a $52k salary, you should definitely qualify for a decent benefit amount - probably in the $450-500 range based on what others are saying here. The online calculator Emma mentioned is really helpful for getting a realistic estimate before you file.

Just be aware that you also need to meet the minimum earnings requirement. You need at least $2,600 in one quarter AND total base period wages of at least 1.5 times your high quarter. So if your highest quarter was $12,000, you'd need at least $18,000 total in your base period to qualify.

yeah the whole system is confusing as hell, took me forever to understand why my benefit amount was what it was

The U6 thing reminded me of when I was on unemployment during the 2008 recession - they had all these extended programs available because the broader unemployment measures were so high. But that was federal programs, not sure what NYS Department of Labor offers now for state extended benefits. My cousin in Buffalo was on unemployment for almost a year back then with all the extensions.

I'm new to collecting unemployment and this U6 discussion is really eye-opening. I didn't realize there were different ways to measure unemployment beyond what I see in the news. My question is - where can I actually find the current U6 rate for New York to get a sense of how the broader job market is doing? And does NYS Department of Labor publish any guidance about how labor market conditions might affect things like job search requirements or benefit extensions? I want to understand what I might be facing as I continue my job search.

The document request time is crazy right now. My friend who works at NYSDOL says they're understaffed in that department and prioritizing current claims. She recommended going through claimyr.com to get someone on the phone cuz its actually faster than waiting for document requests to be processed.

I went through something similar last year when I needed proof of a 2018 denial for a student loan deferment. Here's what finally worked for me after weeks of frustration: Try calling the Telephone Claims Center at 888-209-8124 right at 8:00 AM sharp on a Tuesday or Wednesday - those seem to be the best days to get through. When you do reach someone, ask specifically for a "monetary determination notice" or "benefit determination letter" from November 2019. If that doesn't work, you can also try submitting a written request by mail to: NYS Department of Labor Unemployment Insurance Division Building 12, Room 266 State Office Campus Albany, NY 12240 Include your full name, SSN, the approximate dates of your claim, and exactly what document you need. Make sure to mention it's for housing assistance - sometimes that helps prioritize the request. The key is being super specific about what you need and when. Don't give up! I know how stressful it is when housing opportunities are on the line. You've got this! 💪