From what I understand, NYS Department of Labor actually encourages people to be flexible with their job search, especially as unemployment goes on longer. The key thing is showing you're making a genuine effort to find work. Document everything in your job search log - even if you're applying for jobs that seem below your education level, you're still meeting the requirements.

I'm in a similar boat - have a master's in communications and been unemployed for about 4 months now. What I've learned is that NYS DOL actually has a "suitable work" provision where they gradually lower the bar for what's considered suitable as your unemployment continues. Initially they expect you to look for work similar to your previous job, but after several weeks they expect you to broaden your search to include lower-paying positions. I've been applying to everything from my field down to administrative assistant roles, and my case worker told me this was exactly what they want to see. The important thing is showing active job search efforts - they care more about the quantity and consistency of your applications than whether each job perfectly matches your degree.

Keep filing your weekly claims while this gets sorted out! Even if there's an adjudication issue, you don't want to miss your filing dates. The NYS Department of Labor can always adjust payments retroactively if your church's coverage gets verified.

I went through something similar when I worked at a Methodist church. The verification process can be nerve-wracking but hang in there! In my case, it turned out the church had elected coverage years ago but there was some paperwork mix-up in the system. The DOL eventually straightened it out and I received all my back benefits. Make sure you keep documenting everything - save all your correspondence and take screenshots of your online account status. If you have any old pay stubs from the church, check if they show unemployment tax deductions (SUTA) - that would be a good sign they were paying into the system.

UPDATE: I finally got through to someone! Used the Claimyr service that someone mentioned above and got connected to an agent in about 20 minutes. The rep confirmed exactly what you all said - my claim got caught in their post-update verification process. She manually reviewed my claim, verified my identity, and released all my payments! Should have the money in 2-3 business days. THANK YOU everyone for all the advice and support here. This community is amazing.

So glad to see this community helping each other out! I just wanted to add that if you're still having trouble getting through by phone, you might also try contacting your local assembly member or state senator's office. They often have direct lines to DOL staff for constituent services. I had to do this last year for a different issue and their office was able to escalate my case within a week. Also, if you're facing immediate financial hardship (like potential eviction or utility shutoff), mention that specifically when you do get through - they sometimes have expedited processing for emergency situations. Keep your head up everyone, this system mess won't last forever!

Just wanted to say hang in there! I was in a similar situation last year when my restaurant closed permanently. It took about 3 weeks to get approved and then I started receiving benefits. The waiting is the worst part but store closures are usually pretty clear-cut for eligibility.

I'm going through the same thing right now - filed my claim about 10 days ago and still waiting. From what I've read online, the NYS Department of Labor is pretty backed up right now but store closures are usually processed faster since there's less investigation needed. Have you tried calling the customer service line? I know it's hard to get through but sometimes they can at least tell you if there are any issues with your application. Also make sure you keep filing those weekly certifications even while waiting - that's what trips up a lot of people.

The NYS Department of Labor system is so confusing with multiple websites! Why can't they just have everything in one place? I spent forever trying to figure out where to check if my job search activities were recorded properly.

I just went through this process last month and can confirm what others have said - you start your initial claim at labor.ny.gov and then use my.ny.gov for weekly certifications. One tip: create your my.ny.gov account right after filing your initial claim so you don't have to scramble later. Also, avoid filing on Mondays if possible since that's when the system gets overloaded. Tuesday mornings usually work better for me.