Just wanted to add - if you're getting the money order from a grocery store or gas station, double check that they actually have enough cash on hand for a $430 money order. I went to three different places last week before finding one that could do it. CVS and most grocery stores can usually handle larger amounts, but some smaller places have limits. Also bring cash obviously - they won't take cards for money orders. The fee is usually around $1-2 depending where you go.

One more tip that saved me a huge headache - when you're at the post office or wherever getting the money order, ask them to print it clearly or use block letters. My first money order got rejected because they couldn't read the handwriting and it looked like a different name. Had to get a new one and start the whole process over. Also, some places like Walmart have a $1000 daily limit per person for money orders, so if you need multiple orders for some reason, you might have to come back the next day or go somewhere else. The DOL is super picky about everything being perfect so take your time filling it out!

I've been lurking on this thread and finally decided to create an account because you all have been so incredibly helpful! I'm a newcomer to the unemployment system and was completely lost trying to figure out document submission until I found this discussion. The detailed advice here is way better than anything on the official DOL website. I'm planning to try Isabella's successful approach tomorrow morning - Chrome browser, personal computer, PDFs under 5MB with clear naming, and that crucial early morning timing around 7am. It's such a relief to know that other people have dealt with the exact same upload failures and found real solutions. Thank you everyone for sharing your actual experiences instead of just generic advice - this community is amazing for helping people navigate these frustrating government systems!

As someone who just went through this process successfully last month, I want to add one more crucial tip that saved me a lot of headaches: before you upload anything, make sure your my.ny.gov account profile is completely up to date with your current address, phone number, and email. I had an old email address on file and wasn't getting any confirmation messages, which made me think my uploads were failing when they were actually going through! Also, if you're uploading multiple documents, do them one at a time rather than trying to bulk upload - the system handles single file uploads much better. The early morning timing that Isabella mentioned is absolutely key, and I'd also suggest having your claim number copied and ready to paste because the session can time out if you're hunting around for information. Once you get that first successful upload confirmation, the rest becomes much easier!

You're going to be just fine! I've been collecting unemployment for about 5 months now and have definitely been in your exact situation. I've certified as late as 11:45pm on Sunday multiple times and my Tuesday payments have always come through right on schedule. The NY system batches all Sunday certifications together during their overnight processing, so whether you certify at 9am or 10pm on Sunday doesn't matter - you're all in the same group getting processed. Your rent money should hit your account Tuesday morning as usual! I totally understand the anxiety though - when you're depending on that money for essential expenses, even a small timing worry can feel huge. Maybe set up a phone reminder for earlier on Sundays going forward so you don't have to stress about it again. But for this week, you should be all set!

I've been in your exact situation before and can totally relate to that late-night panic! I've been collecting unemployment for about 7 months now and have certified late on Sunday evening probably 8-10 times - sometimes as late as 11:30pm when I suddenly remember while getting ready for bed. Every single time, my Tuesday payment has come through exactly as scheduled. The NY system doesn't distinguish between morning and evening certifications on Sunday - they all get processed together in the overnight batch. Your direct deposit should definitely hit Tuesday morning for your rent and bills! I know how stressful it can be when you're depending on that money for essentials, but you're totally fine. Might want to set a Sunday afternoon phone reminder though so you don't have to go through this anxiety again!

Another thing worth mentioning - if you're eligible for the maximum $504/week benefit, you might also want to look into other assistance programs while you're collecting unemployment. Programs like SNAP (food stamps) and utility assistance can help stretch your unemployment benefits further. The income limits for these programs take into account that unemployment is temporary income, so you might qualify even if you wouldn't have while working full-time. Also, some workforce development programs offer free training or certification courses for unemployed individuals, which could help you land a higher-paying job when your benefits run out. Check with your local One-Stop Career Center - they often have resources specifically for people collecting unemployment benefits.

Just to add to all the great info here - make sure you understand the difference between gross and net when calculating your potential benefits. NYS Department of Labor uses your gross wages (before taxes and deductions) from your base period quarters to determine your benefit amount. So if you were making $1,200/week gross but only taking home $900 after taxes, they'll calculate based on that full $1,200. Also, keep in mind that if you do any part-time or temporary work while collecting unemployment, you need to report it on your weekly certification even if it's just a few hours. They'll adjust your benefits accordingly, but failing to report work income can cause major issues with your claim. The system is pretty good at cross-referencing wage records, so it's always better to be upfront about any earnings.

omg same thing happened to me last month!! i was so worried they would cut off my benefits but everything was fine. just keep filing your weekly claims like normal

Just wanted to add that if you're selected for a longer trial (like 2+ weeks), you might want to proactively reach out to NYS DOL to document the situation. While jury duty won't disqualify you from benefits, having a paper trail can be helpful if any questions come up later. Also, remember that you'll still need to be actively searching for work on days you're not in court, so keep track of your job search activities for your weekly certification.