im in the same boat rn. identity stolen, cant access benefits since february. the most infuriating part is that whoever stole my identity is STILL collecting MY money and i cant do anything about it

I went through this exact same nightmare last year! After ID.me verification, the key is that you need to wait about 5-7 business days for their systems to sync up. Then log into your unemployment account and look for either a "Pending Actions" section or check under "Inbox" for messages from DOL. If nothing shows up after a week, you'll definitely need to call. I know everyone says calling is impossible, but I found the best time is right at 8am when they open - keep hitting redial for about 30 minutes straight. Once I got through, the agent was actually super helpful and cleared everything up in like 10 minutes. Also make sure to file that police report for identity theft ASAP if you haven't already. They'll ask for the report number later in the process. Hang in there - it's frustrating but you'll get through this! 💪

Just wanted to add that you should keep filing your weekly claims even while the backdating request is being reviewed. Don't stop claiming weeks or you'll have gaps that are even harder to fix later.

I went through something similar last year. For NYS Department of Labor backdating, they can go back up to one year from when you file the request, but you need solid documentation. Besides the doctor's note, gather any records showing when your medical condition prevented you from working vs when you were cleared to return. Also collect evidence you were able and available during the weeks you're claiming - like medical records showing treatment was completed, any job search activities once cleared, etc. The medical exception for good cause is one of the stronger arguments, so you have a decent shot if you have the right paperwork. File the backdating request ASAP since there are time limits on how long after your initial claim you can request it.

This is why I hate ny unemployment. Everything takes 100x longer than it should. And if theres any kind of problem with your account good luck getting anyone on the phone to help.

I feel your frustration! I'm new to the NY unemployment system and ran into the same confusion when I certified on Thursday last week. Had to learn the hard way that weekends are basically dead zones for processing. What really helped me was setting up text alerts through my bank app so I get notified the moment any deposit hits - at least then I'm not constantly checking my balance wondering if today's the day. Also discovered that some banks will let you see pending ACH transfers a day or two before they actually post, which gives you a heads up that the payment is coming. Hang in there, the waiting game sucks but once you get the timing down it becomes more predictable!

Just make sure you stop filing your weekly claims once you start working! I made the mistake of filing one more week after I started my new job and it caused a whole mess with overpayment notices.

Congratulations on landing the new job! As others mentioned, those unused weeks don't roll over to a savings account or anything like that. However, I'd recommend keeping documentation of your original claim details (benefit year dates, weekly amount, etc.) just in case you need to reference them later. Also, when you stop filing, you might want to call or check online to confirm your claim is properly closed to avoid any potential issues down the road. Good luck with the new position!

Try calling right at 8am when they open or during lunch hours around 1pm. Those seem to be the best times to actually get through. Also make sure you have your confirmation number ready from when you first filed

I feel your pain - the waiting is absolutely brutal when you're trying to keep up with bills. One thing that helped me was documenting everything in a spreadsheet: dates I called, reference numbers, what representatives told me (if I got through), etc. This documentation became really useful when I finally reached someone who could actually help. Also, if you haven't already, try sending a secure message through the my.ny.gov portal explaining your situation and how long you've been waiting. Sometimes the written requests get routed to different people than the phone calls. Hang in there - I know it feels hopeless but eventually it does get resolved.