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Just wanted to say I'm in the same boat with the processing delays. It's frustrating not knowing what's normal vs what's a problem.
I work with labor statistics and can confirm the numbers Jamal mentioned are pretty accurate. The NYS Department of Labor publishes their Labor Market Report monthly - you can find it under "Research and Statistics" on their website. As of the latest report, continuing claims (people actively collecting) were around 380,000 statewide. But keep in mind this includes all types of UI benefits. The processing delays you're experiencing are unfortunately common right now - the department has acknowledged staffing shortages in their adjudication units. Three weeks isn't unusual, though I know that doesn't make it less stressful when you're waiting.
If you're having trouble reaching NYS Department of Labor to ask questions about your benefits, I had good luck using a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get through to an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Way better than sitting on hold for hours trying to get answers about my claim status.
The whole unemployment system is so confusing. I keep seeing different information online and never know what's current. Wish NYS Department of Labor would just send clear updates about what benefits are available.
I totally agree! The misinformation online is really frustrating. I think part of the problem is that old articles about the $600 FPUC from 2020-2021 still show up in search results, so people think it's current news. NYS Department of Labor's website could definitely do a better job of having a clear "current benefits" section that's easy to find.
UPDATE: I finally got it fixed!! The cookie deletion method helped but didn't completely solve it. I ended up using that Claimyr service someone mentioned above to get through to a real person at NYSDOL. Got a callback within an hour and the agent knew exactly what the problem was. Apparently my ID.me verification was stuck in some kind of pending status on their end even though it showed completed on mine. They did a manual override and had me log in while still on the phone with them. Everything works now! Most importantly, the agent was able to let me backdate my certifications for the weeks I missed, so I won't lose any benefits. Such a relief after almost two weeks of stress!
Great news! Glad you got it resolved. For anyone else with this issue, it seems like the fastest solution is getting through to an actual agent who can do the manual override on their end.
This ID.me integration has been a disaster for so many people! I went through something similar a few months ago. One thing that helped me was making sure I was logging out of BOTH my NYSDOL account AND my ID.me account completely before trying again. Sometimes having active sessions in both can cause the loop issue. Also, if you're still having trouble after trying all these great suggestions, document everything - keep screenshots of error messages and write down the times/dates you called. This helps when you finally get through to an agent. The system definitely needs to be fixed but at least there are workarounds. Hang in there!
Yes, if you earn more than your weekly benefit amount plus $50, you get zero unemployment that week. So with a $504 benefit, if you earned over $554 in a week, no UI payment. But you can still certify and your claim stays active for the following week.
I've been driving for Uber while collecting UI for about 3 months now. A few things to keep in mind: 1) Track ALL your expenses (gas, car maintenance, phone mount, etc.) because you'll need them for taxes, 2) The $50 deduction Ravi mentioned is correct - it's called the "partial benefit credit", and 3) Consider driving during peak hours (Friday/Saturday nights, rush hour) to maximize your earnings in fewer hours. This way you can still dedicate most of your time to job searching. Also, keep detailed records of your job search activities because NYS Department of Labor can audit your work search requirements at any time.
Tami Morgan
wait but what if the company doesn't actually call you back? my buddy got 'seasonally laid off' and they never brought him back even though they said they would
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Jade Lopez
•If they don't recall you by the expected date, you just continue your claim and start broader job search activities. The seasonal designation doesn't lock you into waiting forever - you can always expand your search if the recall doesn't happen.
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Aaliyah Jackson
Just wanted to add - make sure you keep records of your layoff date and any communication from your employer about the seasonal nature and expected return date. NYS DOL may ask for documentation to verify it's truly seasonal and not a permanent separation. Also, if you have any side skills like snow removal or indoor renovation work, you might be able to pick up some temporary income while collecting benefits, just make sure to report any earnings on your weekly certifications.
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