If it's just a weekly cert issue you might be able to fix it online through your my.ny.gov account. Check if there's a pending questionnaire or something you missed.

I had success getting through by calling the 888-209-8124 number right at 8:00 AM on a Wednesday. The key is to call exactly when they open - I actually started dialing at 7:59 AM. Still had to wait about 45 minutes but that's way better than the 2+ hours I was waiting when calling later in the day. Also make sure you have all your info ready - claim number, SSN, PIN, and details about what happened with your certification. The agent was actually really helpful once I got through and was able to see exactly why my cert was rejected (I had accidentally put the wrong dates for a part-time job). Good luck!

I'm currently waiting for my appeal decision after a hearing two weeks ago for a similar constructive dismissal case. This thread has been incredibly helpful in understanding what to expect once I hopefully win. The consistent timeline everyone is sharing (10-15 business days for status change, then payments within a few days) gives me realistic expectations. One question - did anyone have issues with their employer trying to contest the appeal decision after losing? My former employer seemed pretty upset during the hearing and I'm worried they might try to drag this out further somehow. Also wondering if there's any notification when your status changes or if you just have to keep checking the website daily like Sofia mentioned?

I just won my constructive dismissal appeal last week and this thread has been so helpful! I'm on day 6 since the hearing decision and my status still shows "appeal decision pending implementation." Based on everyone's experiences here, it sounds like I should expect the status change sometime in the next week or so, then payments shortly after. I was initially denied for "voluntary quit" but had solid documentation showing my employer created impossible working conditions that forced me to leave. The hearing went well and I represented myself successfully. I'm owed 5 weeks of back pay and really need this money to catch up on bills. It's reassuring to see so many people with similar cases who eventually got their full back pay. The waiting is definitely stressful but knowing the typical 3-4 week total timeline helps manage expectations. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - it makes this process much less scary when you know what to expect!

Just wanted to add that even if you can't get regular unemployment, there might be small business assistance programs through the state or SBA that could help with your catering business. Don't give up on entrepreneurship just because of a slow period!

I'm in a similar boat with my photography business - revenue has been really inconsistent this year. From what I've researched, New York State does have some programs for struggling small businesses even if we can't get regular unemployment. You might want to check out the Empire State Development Corporation's website for business grants and low-interest loans. Also, some local workforce development boards offer training programs that come with stipends while you learn new skills that could complement your catering business. It's worth exploring all options before having to take a traditional W-2 job if you want to keep your business going.

The partial unemployment thing saved me when my hours got cut at the warehouse. Just remember you have to report EVERY dollar you earn, even tips if you get them. And if your employer puts you back to full time, you have to stop claiming immediately. Don't try to keep collecting if your hours go back up or you'll owe money back.

@Layla I was in a similar situation last year when my hours got cut from full-time to part-time. The key thing to understand is that partial unemployment isn't a separate program - it's just regular unemployment benefits calculated for people who are still working reduced hours. You file the same initial claim, but when you certify weekly you report your gross earnings and they reduce your benefit accordingly. The good news is there's usually a small amount you can earn before they start deducting dollar-for-dollar from your benefits. Definitely worth applying since you've had such a significant hour reduction. Just make sure to keep detailed records of your weekly earnings.

I just wanted to add my experience for anyone else dealing with this - I had a hold on my claim for about 18 days last summer and it was incredibly stressful. What I learned is that holds can happen for so many different reasons: job search verification, wage discrepancies, employer disputes, or even just random eligibility audits. The worst part is not knowing which one it is! I tried calling dozens of times before finally getting through to an agent who explained it was just a routine review of my work search activities. They never even asked me to submit additional documentation - it just cleared automatically once their review was complete. The agent told me that holds are actually much more common than people realize, especially during busy periods. My advice: call early (8 AM sharp), keep filing weekly no matter what, and try not to stress too much. Most holds do get resolved and you will get your backpay. This thread shows how many of us have been through this same scary experience!

I went through the exact same thing about 6 months ago and I totally understand the panic you're feeling! My claim was on hold for almost 3 weeks with no explanation in my messages either. It turned out to be a random audit of my job search activities - they never even contacted me about it, just reviewed my previous submissions and cleared it automatically. The most important thing I learned is to absolutely keep filing your weekly certifications even during the hold period. I almost stopped filing because I thought "what's the point if I'm on hold?" but thankfully I kept going because once it was resolved, I got backpay for every single week. Try calling right at 8 AM when they open - that's when I finally got through to someone who could actually see what was happening with my claim. The waiting is awful but hang in there, most holds really do get resolved within 2-4 weeks!