I had to wait almost 7 weeks last year but mine was complicated because I had worked in two different states recently. Once they finally made the decision everything went smoothly though. The waiting is definitely the worst part.

I'm going through the same thing right now - filed my claim 3 weeks ago and still showing "pending review." What's really frustrating is that there's no way to get a realistic timeline or even know what stage of the process you're in. I've been keeping detailed records of everything I've submitted just in case they need additional documentation. Has anyone had success getting through to someone who could actually explain what's causing the delay? The uncertainty is almost worse than the wait itself.

The whole system is BROKEN for gig workers and freelancers! We're supposed to be independent but then get zero support when the economy tanks. Every other developed country has figured this out but not us. Makes me want to just get a regular job for the security.

Have you considered looking into New York State's Freelance Isn't Free Act? While it doesn't help with unemployment benefits, it might give you some legal recourse if any clients haven't paid you properly. Also, you might want to check if you qualify for SNAP benefits or other assistance programs while you're looking for new work. The Empire State Development agency sometimes has resources for freelancers and small business owners too. It's not unemployment, but every bit helps when income is tight.

ugh the system is so confusing, why don't they just tell you this stuff upfront?? spent weeks worrying about nothing

I totally get the worry about credit impact! I was in the same boat when I first started collecting benefits. Just wanted to add that if you're concerned about that overpayment notice, don't panic - you have options. You can appeal it if you think it's incorrect, or contact NYS Department of Labor to set up a payment plan if you do owe money. The key is responding promptly rather than ignoring it. I had to deal with something similar and they were actually pretty reasonable about working out a manageable payment schedule. Your regular UI benefits definitely won't hurt your credit though - that's just government assistance helping you get back on your feet!

dont bother calling the main number nobody ever answers. try this secret number instead: *** *** **** [Comment removed by moderator - no posting of unauthorized phone numbers]

I went through this exact same nightmare last fall! The self-employment question glitch is so frustrating. What finally worked for me was a combination of things: 1. I tried the mobile site trick mentioned above - it did help bypass the question once but then it came back 2. I kept detailed screenshots of every error message (super important for when you finally talk to someone) 3. I eventually used Claimyr after seeing so many people mention it here - got connected to an agent in about 90 minutes who fixed it immediately The agent told me my account had some kind of "employment classification conflict" from old data in their system. Once they cleared that flag, I was able to certify normally and got all my back payments within a week. Don't give up! I know it feels hopeless but this IS fixable. The system is just terrible at handling these edge cases. Document everything and keep trying - you'll get through eventually. Hang in there! 💪

Make sure when you get your decision letter that it specifically says you're eligible for benefits going forward. Sometimes they'll reverse the disqualification but there can still be other issues that need to be resolved. Also double check that your job search requirements are up to date in the system.

I went through this exact same process about 6 months ago. The good news is that since your employer didn't show up to the hearing, that usually works strongly in your favor. In my case, it took about 2.5 weeks to get the decision letter, and then another 10 days for the payments to actually start flowing. The back pay was definitely worth the wait - I got everything I was owed from when my claim was first put on hold. Just keep filing those weekly claims religiously, even though it feels pointless right now. Hang in there, you're almost at the finish line!