Labor Day always messes up my budget planning too!! Why can't they just process payments in advance when they know there's gonna be a holiday? Other places manage to do direct deposit early before holidays. The NYS Department of Labor system is so behind the times.

I've been dealing with NYS unemployment for over a year now and holiday delays are just part of the routine unfortunately. Labor Day, Memorial Day, July 4th - they all push payments back one business day. The system is pretty consistent about it though, so at least you can count on Wednesday if Tuesday is your normal day. Pro tip: I always mark holiday weeks on my calendar now so I don't panic when the deposit doesn't show up on the usual day. It's frustrating but predictable once you get used to the pattern.

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! My claim was fine for 8 weeks and then suddenly went on hold last Tuesday. I've been calling the NYS Department of Labor number every day but can never get through - it just hangs up on me after being on hold for hours. The worst part is not knowing what triggered the review or how long it will take. I've been keeping detailed records of all my job search activities and haven't changed anything about my situation. Really hoping this gets resolved soon because like you said, bills don't stop coming just because the state decides to investigate your claim for mysterious reasons.

This is so frustrating and unfortunately pretty common with NYS Department of Labor. When claims go on hold suddenly like this, it's often triggered by something in your weekly certification that their system flagged for review - could be as simple as a different answer to the availability question or reporting different job search activities. The system is very sensitive to any changes. Since you mentioned the only difference was saying you were available on a day you usually aren't, that might be what triggered it. Keep filing your weekly claims even while on hold - this is crucial because if you stop filing and the hold gets resolved, you could lose those weeks of benefits. Try calling right when they open at 8am on Monday - you'll have better luck getting through early morning. Also document everything and keep records of your job search activities in case they ask for verification. The review process typically takes 2-4 weeks but can be longer. I know it's stressful with rent due, but most holds do get resolved if you haven't actually done anything wrong.

I had issues getting through to NYS Department of Labor when I had questions about garnishments on my account. If you need to talk to someone about this stuff, I found this service called Claimyr that helped me get through to an actual agent. Check out claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Way easier than sitting on hold for hours.

Just make sure you keep paying your current support while on unemployment. The court doesn't care if you're unemployed, they still expect the payments. If you can't afford it, you need to petition for a modification BEFORE you fall behind.

omg yes file anyway!! my sister thought she couldnt get anything cause her boss said they were too small but turns out he was lying and just trying to avoid paying taxes

Just to add some clarity here - the threshold for employer coverage in NY is actually quite low. Employers must pay unemployment insurance if they pay $300 or more in wages in any calendar quarter, OR if they employ one or more workers for some portion of a day in each of 20 different calendar weeks. So most legitimate employers should be covered. If your friend's employer is claiming they don't participate, it's worth having her file a claim anyway because NYS Department of Labor will investigate and determine if the employer was actually required to be paying in. Don't take the employer's word for it!

I'm in a similar situation and just went through this process! As an independent contractor, your eligibility really depends on whether you have ANY W2 income in your base period. Since you mentioned having a part-time W2 job about a year ago, definitely check if that falls within your base period (first 4 of last 5 completed calendar quarters). Even if you're not sure, apply anyway - the worst they can say is no, and you might be surprised. Also, with your current $170/week from remaining clients, you'd likely qualify for partial benefits if you do have that W2 history. The key is being completely honest about all your income when you certify weekly. Don't let the confusing website discourage you - many people think they won't qualify but end up getting benefits. Good luck!

I was in almost the exact same situation last year! Independent contractor for about 8 months, lost my main client, still had some small work coming in. Here's what I learned: definitely apply even if you're unsure about qualifying. The system is confusing but there are more pathways than you'd think. Since you had that W2 job a year ago, calculate your base period carefully - it might still count. I ended up qualifying for partial benefits even while doing some freelance work. The key is reporting everything honestly during weekly certifications. Also, don't get discouraged if the initial application seems overwhelming - I almost gave up halfway through but I'm so glad I didn't. You've got nothing to lose by applying and potentially a lot to gain. The worst case scenario is they say no, but at least you'll know for sure rather than wondering "what if.