same boat here OP, filed regular UI then found out about standby later. everything worked out fine just had to update my status

This is exactly why I wish NYS Department of Labor would create a simple flowchart or decision tree on their website! Like "Is your employer expecting to recall you within 8 weeks? Yes = standby status, No = regular UI." It's frustrating that we have to piece this information together from forums and hope we're interpreting it correctly. At least this thread is super helpful - I'm bookmarking it in case I ever need to reference the standby vs shared work vs regular UI differences again.

So I finally got through to someone after spending my ENTIRE day on this. I used claimyr.com after seeing it mentioned here and it actually worked. They got me a callback from unemployment in about 40 minutes. Agent told me the system was having issues but she was able to certify for me manually. Just sharing in case anyone else is desperate like I was!

OMG this is so stressful! I've been dealing with the same exact issue all morning. The website keeps timing out right after I enter my login info. I'm a single mom and really can't afford to miss this week's payment. Has anyone tried using a VPN to see if that helps? Sometimes switching your location can get around server issues. Also wondering if anyone knows what time the system usually gets fixed when this happens? I have to work tonight so I'm hoping it's back up soon 😰

TBH you're better off focusing on finding a job that doesn't require heavy lifting than wasting time on unemployment applications you won't qualify for. There's lots of WFH jobs these days that don't require any physical labor. That's your best bet with back problems.

I'm in a somewhat similar boat - limited work history due to health issues. One thing I'd suggest is looking into your state's vocational rehabilitation services. They can help with job training, placement assistance, and even provide accommodations for your back problems. It might be a better long-term solution than just relying on benefits. They often work with people who have physical limitations to find sustainable employment options. Worth checking out while you're exploring the SSI route.

just applied for both when i lost my job in december. got approved for medicaid within like 2 weeks and it backdated to when i applied. unemployment took longer to kick in but having the health coverage was such a relief

Just wanted to add that when you apply for medicaid while on unemployment, make sure to have your award letter from DOL handy - they'll want to see proof of your weekly benefit amount. Also, if your unemployment runs out and you're still looking for work, you can update your medicaid application to reflect the income change, which might make you eligible for even more coverage. The income limits change every year so it's worth checking even if you think you make too much!

I see from your other comments that you've been certifying regularly - that's good. One other thing to check: log into your NY.gov account and make sure your payment method is correctly set up. Sometimes when there's an issue with a claim, the system might revert to a default payment method like debit card even if you originally selected direct deposit. It's worth verifying while you're waiting to speak with someone.

I'm going through almost the exact same situation right now! Filed a contest on my monetary determination three weeks ago because I thought they miscalculated my earnings, but then realized I was wrong about how the base period works. The waiting is absolutely killing me financially. I've tried calling dozens of times with no success - their phone system is a nightmare. Based on what others are saying here, it sounds like we just have to wait for the review process to complete even though we want to withdraw the contest. At least we can keep certifying in the meantime. Hang in there - you're not alone in this mess!