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Just make sure you understand all the work search requirements. NYS Department of Labor is pretty strict about the three job contacts per week and they do audit people randomly.
Just wanted to add that while the 26 weeks is standard, you should also know that your weekly benefit amount is calculated based on your highest quarter of earnings in your base period. With your $52K salary over 18 months, you should be getting a decent weekly amount. Also, don't forget that unemployment benefits are taxable income - you can choose to have taxes withheld or pay them later, but it's something to plan for. Good luck with your job search!
UPDATE: I just wanted to thank everyone for their advice! I tried several of the suggestions here. First, I called using the exact phrasing that @helpful_advisor suggested about speaking with a claims examiner supervisor regarding statutory timeline violations. I still got nowhere initially. Then I tried the Claimyr service that someone recommended, and I actually got through to a real person within 15 minutes! They connected me with a supervisor who looked up my case and found that it had been stuck in some kind of technical queue error. They manually reassigned it and told me I should have a determination within 5-7 business days. I also submitted the formal complaint through the updated link and contacted my assembly member's office as backup. Will update again when (hopefully) I get my determination letter!
That's great news! The exact same thing happened to my claim - it was stuck in some technical error that nobody caught until someone actually looked at it. The system seems to have these black holes where claims just sit unless manually checked. Glad you're making progress!
This is such a helpful thread! I'm dealing with a similar situation - my claim has been pending since March 10th and I'm getting the same runaround every time I call. Reading through all these suggestions gives me hope that there are actual ways to escalate beyond the regular phone line. I'm definitely going to try the Claimyr service and the specific phrasing about "statutory timeline violations" when calling. It's ridiculous that we have to jump through all these hoops just to get what we're legally entitled to, but at least there are people here sharing what actually works. Thanks @Jace for posting this and for everyone who shared their experiences. Going to bookmark this thread and try these methods starting tomorrow!
@Isaiah I'm so glad this thread is helpful! I was feeling pretty hopeless before posting this, but the community really came through with actionable advice. Definitely try multiple approaches at once - I think what made the difference was hitting them from several angles simultaneously. The Claimyr thing was honestly a game changer for actually getting through to someone who could look at my case properly. Keep us posted on how it goes - we're all rooting for each other here!
UPDATE: My payment just came through! Just wanted to let everyone know who might be in the same boat. Looks like it was just delayed by about 36 hours from the normal time. Thanks everyone for your help and reassurance!
This is such a relief to read! I'm new to NY unemployment and claimed for the first time on Sunday. When my payment didn't show up yesterday I was freaking out thinking I did something wrong with my certification. Really glad to see it's just a system-wide delay and that payments are starting to come through. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - it's so helpful for someone like me who doesn't know what's normal yet!
To answer your question about minimum earnings: for a 2025 claim in NY, you generally need to have: 1. Worked in at least two calendar quarters of your base period 2. Earned at least $3,700 in one of those quarters 3. Total earnings of at least 1.5 times your highest quarter earnings across your entire base period So your part-time work at the end of 2024 might qualify if it meets these thresholds. When you call, ask specifically about whether your recent work history is sufficient for a new claim. And as suggested above, look into other assistance programs like SNAP (food stamps) or HEAP (energy assistance) if you're struggling financially while job searching.
I'm in a similar situation - my BYE was in early 2022 and I've been struggling to understand the requirements for filing a new claim. From what everyone's shared here, it sounds like the key is having enough recent work history since your last claim ended, not just the alternate base period option. One thing I learned when I finally got through to NYSDOL (took forever!) is that they can sometimes do a preliminary eligibility check over the phone before you go through the full application process. This might save you time if your recent earnings don't meet the minimum thresholds. Also, if you do end up not qualifying for UI, definitely check out the career services at your local One-Stop center. They often have job placement assistance and sometimes even training programs that come with stipends. Good luck with your call!
Camila Jordan
Just following up - were you able to resolve this issue? I ask because many other claimants are experiencing similar problems right now. There appears to be a systematic issue with payments following large back pay distributions in March 2025.
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Andrew Pinnock
•Yes! Finally got it resolved yesterday. Used that Claimyr service to reach someone after failing for days on my own. Turns out there was a "program integrity review" flag on my account after the back pay. The agent cleared it and processed all my missed payments while I was on the phone. They said they should arrive in 2-3 business days. Also said this is happening to lots of people because they implemented a new verification system in February that's flagging accounts that receive large back payments. Thanks everyone for your help!
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Dmitry Popov
Glad to hear you got it resolved! This is super helpful information for anyone else dealing with the same issue. It sounds like NYSDOL really needs to do a better job communicating when these "program integrity reviews" are triggered - people shouldn't have to stress out for weeks wondering if their benefits just disappeared. Thanks for updating us on what worked!
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