I'm dealing with the exact same frustrating situation right now! My claim has been stuck for over 3 weeks and I feel like I'm going in circles with the automated phone system. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful - I had no idea there were so many alternative approaches to try. I'm definitely going to start with that technical support line at 833-910-0004 that Fidel mentioned, then try the early morning calling strategy. If those don't work, I'll reach out to my assembly member's office. It's honestly ridiculous that we have to jump through so many hoops just to get help with our legitimate claims, but at least this community is sharing real solutions that actually work. Thanks everyone for not just complaining about the system but actually providing actionable steps to work around it!

I've been following this thread closely because I'm dealing with a similar nightmare - my claim has been stuck for almost a month now. What's really helped me is creating a systematic approach based on all the great advice here. I made a spreadsheet tracking every method I try, when I tried it, and the results. So far I've had the most success with the early morning calling strategy (got through twice around 8:02 AM) and the library assistance tip was brilliant - the librarian at my local branch helped me find a section in my online account I didn't even know existed. For anyone just starting this journey, don't try everything at once. Pick 2-3 methods and give each one a real shot before moving on. And definitely start documenting everything from day one - those notes become crucial if you need to escalate. This community has been more helpful than any official DOL resource I've found!

Hey Ryder! I work part-time at a local nonprofit helping people navigate government benefits, and I just wanted to jump in to say you're absolutely on the right track. At 17, you have the same rights to unemployment benefits as any other worker who's paid into the system. Since you mentioned working 25 hours a week for 8 months with taxes being deducted, you should definitely meet the work history requirements. One small thing I'd add to what others have said - make sure when you file your initial claim that you have your Social Security card handy, as well as any documentation about your layoff (like if your employer gave you any paperwork about the reduction in force). The NY.gov unemployment portal is pretty straightforward, but having all your documents ready makes the process smoother. You should be proud of yourself for working hard and contributing to your family - that shows real maturity and responsibility!

Just wanted to add one more practical tip that helped me when I was navigating this system - make sure you file your claim as soon as possible after your last day of work. There's typically a one-week waiting period before benefits start, and you can't get benefits for weeks before you actually file the claim. So even if you're still gathering all your paperwork or feeling uncertain about the process, it's better to start the application sooner rather than later. You can always call or use that Claimyr service Ellie mentioned if you run into any issues, but don't let perfectionism delay you from getting the financial support you've earned. Also, once you start receiving benefits, remember that they are considered taxable income, so you might want to have them withhold taxes or set aside a portion for tax season. Good luck with everything!

I'm going through something similar right now! Just saw "waiting period served" appear on my account yesterday after about 5 weeks of waiting. Like others mentioned, it's definitely a positive step forward. One thing that helped me was logging into the system at different times of day - sometimes the status updates aren't immediate. Also, if you haven't already, make sure you're checking both the "Payment History" and "Claim Summary" sections because sometimes information appears in one before the other. The whole system really could use better communication about what these statuses mean and what to expect next. Fingers crossed we both see payments soon!

I'm dealing with this exact same situation right now! Just saw "waiting period served" show up on my account after what felt like forever. From what I've learned lurking in this community, it sounds like that one-week waiting period is separate from all the other processing delays we've been experiencing. I've been certifying weekly like clockwork but still seeing "pending" on my recent weeks too. It's frustrating because you'd think once the waiting period is done, payments would just start automatically. Has anyone had luck figuring out if there's a way to see what specific issue might be holding up the actual payments? The whole system feels like a black box where you just have to wait and hope for the best.

Thanks for sharing this! I've been stuck in unemployment hell for 2 months now - my claim got flagged for "additional review" and every time I call I either can't get through or get disconnected after hours of waiting. Going to try calling tomorrow at 12pm and see if this timing actually works. At this point I'm willing to try anything. The stress of not knowing when (or if) I'll get my benefits is eating me alive. Really appreciate you taking the time to share what that agent told you!

This is super helpful info! I've been trying to get through for over a month about a certification issue that's holding up my payments. The timing makes total sense - I always assumed calling right when they opened would be best, but I never thought about them having meetings and training in the mornings. Definitely going to try that 11:45am-1:30pm window tomorrow. It's so frustrating that we have to play these games just to reach someone about our own benefits, but I really appreciate you sharing what that agent told you. Hopefully this helps more people get the assistance they desperately need!

I'm in almost the exact same situation! My benefit year started in February 2024 and I'm down to my last 2 weeks of benefits. The stress is real - I've been applying everywhere but nothing's panning out. From what I'm reading here, it sounds like our only shot is if we worked enough since filing to qualify for a new claim. I did some part-time work over the summer but probably not enough quarters to meet the earnings requirement. Has anyone actually calculated what you need to earn to qualify for a new claim? I'm trying to figure out if it's even worth applying or if I should just prepare for benefits to end.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but NY really doesn't have any additional benefits available right now beyond the standard 26 weeks. The federal extensions that were available during the pandemic (like PEUC and Extended Benefits) have all expired. Your best bet is to check if you qualify for a new claim based on any work you've done since filing your current claim. You can use the benefit calculator on the NY DOL website to estimate if you have enough earnings. Also, make sure you're documenting all your job search activities - if you do run out of benefits, having that record could be helpful if any new programs become available. It's a tough situation and I feel for everyone going through this.