Forward the number they gave you to the real DOL fraud department. They keep track of these scammers and sometimes can shut them down.

This exact same thing happened to me last month! The scammer was super convincing too - they knew my name and claim details somehow. They even said my benefits would be stopped if I didn't "verify" my info immediately. I'm so glad you trusted your instincts and didn't give them anything! I ended up reporting it to the FTC and the real DOL fraud line. It's scary how sophisticated these scams are getting, but the real giveaway is always when they ask for your full SSN over the phone. The legitimate DOL already has all that information and would never need you to "verify" it like that.

something no one mentions: don't ignore the regular weekly certifications while waiting for appeal!!! keep doing them even if you're not getting paid. if you win the appeal and haven't been certifying, you can lose all that backpay! learned this the hard way 💸

This thread is so helpful - thank you everyone for sharing your experiences! I'm at 6 weeks now and feeling less alone knowing others have gone through similar waits. Based on what I'm reading here, it sounds like I need to: 1) Keep documenting everything, 2) Try to get someone on the phone (maybe through that claimyr service people mentioned), 3) Contact my state rep if things don't move soon, and 4) Keep up with weekly certifications even though I'm not getting paid. The fact that this system is so broken is infuriating but at least there are people here who've made it through to the other side. Going to try calling again tomorrow with a more targeted approach - asking specifically for the Appeals Processing Unit like someone suggested. Will update if I make any progress!

I've been dealing with NYS Department of Labor for years and honestly their overpayment system is broken. They send out these scary letters demanding repayment but half the time they're wrong. The problem is getting through to someone to actually review your case - their phone lines are impossible.

Don't panic yet! Most people who follow the rules don't get overpayment notices. The main things that trigger repayment are working while claiming benefits without reporting it, not being available for work, or issues with your initial eligibility. If you were legitimately unemployed and followed all the weekly certification requirements, you're probably fine.

make sure he keeps good records of his job search activities too! NYS Department of Labor requires proof that hes actively looking for work. i learned this the hard way when they asked for my job search log and i had barely kept track of anything

I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago when my company did layoffs. The NYS Department of Labor process was actually pretty smooth once I got it started. One thing I wish someone had told me upfront - when you file online, make sure to have your Social Security number, driver's license, and information about your last employer ready (company name, address, dates of employment, and your supervisor's name if you remember it). The system will ask for all of this during the initial application. Also, if your husband worked for any other employers in the past 18 months, even briefly, he'll need that information too since they calculate benefits based on your earnings history. The good news is that layoffs due to restructuring are considered "no fault" separations, so approval should be straightforward as long as everything checks out with his former employer.

just went through this whole mess myself and honestly the hearing was the easy part compared to dealing with the NYS Department of Labor phone system for months beforehand!! but yeah mine was about an hour and fifteen minutes. bring water because those conference rooms get stuffy

I had my NYS DOL hearing about 6 months ago and it lasted right around an hour. The judge was pretty thorough but fair - they asked me to explain my side of the story, reviewed the documents I brought, and then asked a few follow-up questions. My former employer called in by phone which added maybe 15 minutes to the whole thing. I'd suggest blocking out 2 hours just to be safe with potential delays, but the actual hearing will probably be closer to 60-90 minutes. Make sure you have copies of any relevant emails, pay stubs, or documentation that supports your case. Good luck with your appeal!