same thing happened to my sister - she got approved for 6 weeks of back pay but it took forever

Don't give up hope! I was in a very similar situation - worked part-time retail with drastically reduced hours and didn't realize I qualified for partial unemployment benefits. I waited about 6 weeks before filing and was still able to get most of my back pay approved. The key things that helped me were: 1) Filing my initial claim immediately once I found out, 2) Having all my pay stubs organized to show the reduction in hours/earnings, and 3) Being persistent with follow-up calls. When you call to request backdating, be honest about not knowing you were eligible - that's actually pretty common and they understand it. The process took about 3-4 weeks total but I got approved for 5 out of the 6 weeks I requested. Definitely worth the effort given how much it helped with my finances during that tough period.

Another option if you're still stuck - check any correspondence from when you first registered your business or got your workers' compensation insurance. The unemployment account number is sometimes included in those initial business registration packets. Also, if you've ever had to file any employment-related forms with the state (like new hire reporting), those documents might have your account number referenced on them.

If you're an LLC that hasn't hired employees yet, you might not have been assigned an unemployment account number automatically. In New York, you typically only get assigned this number when you register as an employer (which happens when you hire your first employee or proactively register). If you haven't hired anyone yet but want to set up the account preemptively, you'll need to complete Form IA 100 (Initial Report of Employment) which you can find on the Department of Labor website. This will trigger the assignment of your unemployment insurance account number.

Just wanted to jump in with my experience from last month! I was in the EXACT same situation - had my uncle's wedding in Morocco while my claim was pending since December. I was absolutely terrified about the whole thing after reading so many conflicting stories online. But I used claimyr.com to get through to DOL (honestly that $20 was the best money I spent - got connected in under an hour vs the usual endless hold times) and the agent was incredibly helpful and understanding. She walked me through everything step by step: report all travel dates upfront, absolutely DO NOT certify while overseas (they WILL track your IP and flag you immediately), and be prepared for benefits to pause during travel. My claim was put on hold for the 8 days I was gone, but literally the day I got back and recertified that I was available for work again, everything resumed normally with no issues whatsoever. The agent emphasized that family events are totally understandable but trying to hide travel or use VPNs is considered fraud and they've been cracking down hard post-COVID. She actually thanked me for being upfront about it! Don't let unemployment stress ruin such a precious family moment - wedding celebrations are once in a lifetime. Be transparent, follow their process exactly, and you'll be absolutely fine. The temporary pause is such a small price to pay for being there for your family! 🇲🇦💍

I'm in a super similar situation right now! My best friend's wedding in Thailand is coming up in 6 weeks and I've been stressed out of my mind about how to handle it with my pending claim. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been SO reassuring though - it's amazing how consistent the advice is about just being upfront with DOL. The claimyr.com service sounds like it's been a total game changer for actually getting through to speak with someone real instead of sitting on hold forever. I was getting so anxious thinking I'd have to choose between being there for my best friend and protecting my benefits, but it sounds like DOL is actually really reasonable about family events when you follow the proper process. Definitely going to call them this week to report my travel dates and get everything sorted out properly. A temporary pause is totally worth it to be there for such an important celebration! Thanks to everyone who shared their real experiences - this community support has been incredible! 🇹🇭✈️💕

Wait are we talking about the same thing? I thought payment released meant it was already in your account? I'm so confused by all this unemployment terminology. My claim status says pending but I filed my weekly claim on Sunday like always.

Don't panic! I've been on unemployment for about 6 months now and the timing can definitely vary. If your payment was released yesterday and you have direct deposit set up, you should see it by tomorrow or Friday at the latest. Banks typically process unemployment deposits in the early morning hours, so check your account first thing when you wake up. Since you mentioned rent is due soon, you might also want to reach out to your landlord to let them know there could be a day or two delay - most are understanding about unemployment timing issues. Keep an eye on your bank account and if you don't see anything by Friday evening, then I'd start making calls to your bank.

Diego, I'm currently dealing with this exact situation at my restaurant job too! Just filed for partial unemployment about 3 weeks ago after my hours dropped from 30+ to around 12-15 per week. The process has been way smoother than I expected. One thing that's really helped me is setting up text alerts on my phone to remind me to file my weekly claim - I do it every Sunday morning with my coffee so it becomes part of my routine. The NYS Department of Labor online portal is actually pretty intuitive once you get used to it. You just input your hours worked and total earnings (including tips) for that week, and the system does all the calculations automatically. I've been keeping a small notebook by my work shoes where I write down my shift times and tip amounts each day - takes like 30 seconds but makes Sunday reporting so much easier. Your situation with reduced hours due to slow business is exactly what this program exists for. I was hesitant at first too, but honestly it's been a financial lifesaver during this slow season. The partial benefits have made the difference between scrambling to cover bills and actually having some breathing room. Don't wait any longer like I did - every week you delay is money you're leaving on the table!

Diego, I'm in almost the exact same boat at my bistro job! Hours went from 35+ to maybe 18 per week after the holidays and I was freaking out about rent. Just wanted to add that when you file, make sure you answer the availability questions honestly - you need to say you're available for full-time work even though you're currently working part-time. That tripped me up initially because I thought I should say I was only available for the hours I was currently getting. Also, if your restaurant uses a scheduling app like When I Work or Deputy, screenshot those schedules each week before they get updated - super helpful to have that documentation of your reduced hours. The whole job search requirement while on partial benefits isn't as intense as it sounds either. You just need 3 activities per week, and things like updating your resume or browsing job boards count. Your manager cutting your shifts due to slow business is literally the textbook example they use for partial unemployment eligibility. I wish I hadn't stressed about it for so long - the extra money has been a total game changer for getting through this slow period!