I think I read somewhere that unemployment was supposed to go down this year but then some layoffs in tech happened? Not sure how accurate that was though. My cousin in Buffalo said their claim got extended somehow but I don't know if that's related to unemployment rates or something else entirely.

I've been tracking the NYS Department of Labor data pretty closely since I started my claim in January. The unemployment rate has actually been trending slightly downward over the past few months - we're sitting around 3.9% as of the latest report. Processing times for weekly certifications have been consistent for me (usually processed within 2-3 days), so I don't think increased volume is really impacting the system right now. That said, I'd still recommend staying proactive with your job search regardless of the trends - the sooner you find something, the better, especially since we're heading into summer when some seasonal opportunities might open up.

I got fed up with the phone system and used claimyr.com - had my issue resolved the same day after weeks of trying. Just sharing what worked for me - talking to an agent got my $ unlocked so fast. Their youtube explains how it works: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE

I went through something similar last year - had to quit due to a medical condition and waited months with $0.00 showing. The key is getting proper medical documentation that clearly states your vaccine reaction made it impossible to continue working at that job. You'll also need to show you tried to work with your employer first (like requesting accommodations or medical leave). Once I finally got through to an agent with all my paperwork ready, they were able to approve my claim and I got all the back pay. The $0.00 definitely just means it's pending review, not denied. Don't give up - medical reasons CAN qualify for unemployment in NY, but you need to advocate for yourself and get that documentation submitted properly.

Sometimes there are delays if they're reviewing something on your claim. Did you report any work hours or earnings this week? That can slow down processing.

I've been getting mine pretty consistently on Thursdays when I certify on Tuesday. The NYS Department of Labor seems to process most payments mid-week. If you're still within that 2-3 business day window, you should be good. Just make sure you didn't miss any questions during certification that might flag your claim for review.

Update us when you get that determination letter! The exact wording will determine your next steps. While you're waiting, compile a chronological list of every interaction you've had with both NYSDOL and your former employer including dates, times, and names. This timeline will be extremely valuable during your appeal hearing. Also, if you're struggling financially while this gets resolved, you can request an emergency hearing due to financial hardship. This can sometimes speed up the process by 2-3 weeks.

Wow, this is exactly why I always tell people to document EVERYTHING when dealing with NYSDOL - they seem to have serious communication issues between departments. The fact that your determination letter says "voluntarily left" when you were clearly terminated shows there's a major disconnect somewhere in their system. Since you now have the official reason for denial in writing, you definitely need to appeal this within 30 days. Focus your appeal on two main points: 1) You were terminated, not quit voluntarily, and 2) Your termination was due to disability discrimination which would qualify as "good cause" even if you had quit. Get that written statement from your former employer ASAP confirming you were terminated. Also, since this involves disability discrimination, make sure to mention in your appeal that you're filing a complaint with the NYS Division of Human Rights - this adds weight to your case and shows the termination wasn't legitimate. Don't give up! Cases like yours with clear documentation usually get resolved in favor of the claimant once you get in front of an actual hearing officer who can review everything properly.

The whole system is so frustrating!!! I've been waiting 18 days and still nothing. Meanwhile bills are piling up and they act like we're asking for charity instead of benefits we earned. The NYS Department of Labor needs to do better with their processing times.

I just went through this process last month and it took 9 business days from filing to getting my first payment. The key things that helped speed it up were: 1) Making sure all my employer info was accurate when I filed, 2) Responding immediately to any requests for additional documentation, and 3) filing my weekly claims right away even while waiting for approval. The "under review" status is normal - mine stayed that way until the day it suddenly switched to approved. Keep checking the portal daily and don't panic if it seems slow, the system is actually working better than it used to. Good luck!