This is such a relief to see that you got it resolved! I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - missed certifying two weeks ago because I was in the hospital and just realized my claim shows "break in claim" status. Your experience gives me hope that I can get this fixed quickly too. Did the agent ask for any specific documentation about your illness, or was mentioning the doctor's visit enough? I have my hospital discharge papers if that would help my case.

I'm dealing with a break in claim situation too and this whole thread has been incredibly helpful! I missed certifying two weeks ago because I was caring for my sick elderly mother and completely forgot. Reading about everyone's experiences gives me hope that I can get this resolved. Does anyone know if caring for a family member during a medical emergency would qualify for backdating, or is it mainly just for your own medical issues? I have some documentation from her doctor visits if that would help. Planning to try calling tomorrow but wanted to see if anyone has been in a similar caregiving situation.

I work for a company that handles unemployment claim responses for several large retailers, and I can give you some insight into how this process typically works. Walmart, like most major retailers, does contest the majority of unemployment claims - probably around 75-80% of them - especially those involving attendance or policy violations. It's largely automated and driven by their HR system flagging certain termination codes. However, the NYS Department of Labor adjudicators are trained to look at the actual circumstances, not just the employer's initial response. Car trouble with proper documentation is considered a legitimate reason for absences beyond your control. The 2-week timeframe you're experiencing is completely normal for contested claims - I've seen them take anywhere from 2-6 weeks depending on the complexity and documentation involved. Make sure you upload all your repair receipts, towing bills, and any other evidence through your online portal. Even photos of your broken-down vehicle or text messages about the car trouble can help establish the timeline. Don't be discouraged by Walmart's automatic pushback - I've seen plenty of cases where claimants won even when large employers contested, especially when they had solid proof their absences were due to unavoidable circumstances.

I just went through this exact situation with Walmart about 3 months ago - also terminated for attendance issues and they definitely contested my unemployment claim. The adjudication process was incredibly stressful and took almost 4 weeks, but I ended up winning my case because I had solid documentation showing my absences were due to circumstances beyond my control (medical issues in my case). From what I learned during the process, Walmart has an automated system that contests most unemployment claims, especially attendance-related terminations. They do this to keep their unemployment insurance costs down - it's just standard business practice for them. However, the NYS Department of Labor adjudicators are actually pretty fair when you provide proper evidence. Since your absences were due to legitimate car trouble, you're in a good position if you have documentation. Make sure to upload every repair receipt, towing bill, and even photos of your broken-down car through your online portal. I'd also recommend getting a brief written statement from your mechanic if possible, explaining that the car problems were unexpected mechanical failures. The 2-week wait is still completely normal for contested claims, though I know how nerve-wracking it is when you need those benefits. Don't lose hope - Walmart may contest automatically, but that doesn't mean they win. Many people do successfully get benefits even when big retailers fight the claim, especially with proper documentation of unavoidable circumstances.

I went through something similar a couple years ago - owed about $1,500 in overpayment. The key thing is to act quickly since you still have time to appeal. Gather whatever documentation you have - even partial records are better than nothing. Bank deposits, PayPal records, email confirmations from clients, anything that shows when you actually received payment vs when you worked. The appeals process takes a while but it's worth it if you think there's an error. In my case, I was able to prove the timing was different than what they calculated and got the overpayment reduced by about 40%. Even if you can't eliminate it completely, you might be able to reduce the amount owed.

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - got hit with an overpayment notice for $3,200. From what I've learned, the most important thing is to not ignore it. Even if you end up owing the money, they're much more willing to work with you on payment plans if you're proactive about contacting them. I'd definitely recommend appealing if you think there's any chance the calculation is wrong. The worst case is they uphold the decision, but at least you'll have tried. And yes, they can garnish wages and take tax refunds, but they usually give you a chance to set up a payment plan first if you reach out to them.

I'm going through this exact same situation right now! Just got laid off after working for about 7 months and I've been stressed about the eligibility requirements. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful - I had no idea that NYS Department of Labor looks at earnings from ALL jobs during your base period, not just your current one. I also worked a retail job for a few months earlier this year that I hadn't even considered might count toward my qualification. It's such a relief to see so many people who were in similar situations and ended up qualifying for benefits. I think I've been overthinking this whole thing when I should just apply and let the system do the calculations. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - you've given me the confidence to stop worrying and actually submit my application!

I just went through this same situation a few months ago and wanted to share my experience to hopefully ease some of your anxiety Kevin! I got laid off after working only 6 months at my current job and was absolutely convinced I wouldn't qualify for unemployment. But it turns out I was completely wrong about how the system works. The NYS Department of Labor doesn't care how long you've been at your current job - they look at your total earnings from ALL jobs during your base period quarters. I had worked at a warehouse job for about 4 months earlier that year, and those wages combined with my recent job put me well over the minimum threshold. The online application was honestly much easier than I expected. You just enter your employment history and the system calculates everything automatically. I found out I was approved within about a week of applying. My biggest regret is that I waited almost 2 weeks to apply because I was so sure I wouldn't qualify - I could have been getting benefits that whole time! Don't make the same mistake I did. Apply tonight and let the system do what it's designed to do. You've been paying into this system through your paychecks, and you deserve to use it when you need it. The worst they can say is no, but based on what you've described, I think you have a really good chance of qualifying. Hang in there!

There's a special place in hell for whoever designed the ny unemployment system. Watching my savings drain away while waiting for them to verify I'm not committing fraud (which THEY should know since THEY have all my employment records) is just *chef's kiss* the perfect American experience.

This whole thread is giving me flashbacks to my own nightmare with NY unemployment. I went through almost the exact same thing - fraud flag for 6 weeks, no payments, couldn't get through on the phone. What finally worked for me was a combination of things: I used one of those callback services (similar to what others mentioned), AND I filed a complaint with the NY State Attorney General's office online. Within 3 days of filing that complaint, someone from DOL called me directly and my account was cleared. I think the AG complaint creates a paper trail they can't ignore. Also, document EVERYTHING - every call, every person you speak to, reference numbers, dates. If this drags on much longer, consider filing for emergency assistance through your county social services. They have programs specifically for people waiting on unemployment. Hang in there - the system is broken but you WILL get your money eventually.