As someone who just joined this community, this entire thread has been incredibly eye-opening about how complicated the NY unemployment system really is. I'm currently employed but have friends who've struggled with similar issues, and reading through everyone's experiences here gives me so much more understanding of what they've been going through. The fact that the system is so confusing that people need third-party services just to get through on the phone is honestly shocking. Thank you to everyone who shared their knowledge and experiences - especially Zainab for updating us on your resolution. This kind of community support and information sharing is exactly what people need when dealing with bureaucratic nightmares like this.

This thread has been such an educational read! I'm relatively new to the workforce and had no idea how complex the unemployment system could be. Reading Zainab's journey from confusion to finally getting answers really demonstrates the importance of persistence and community support. The breakdown of the 599 program, BYE dates, and effective days is information I never knew existed - it's like there's this whole hidden language around unemployment benefits that they don't teach you anywhere. I'm saving this thread as a reference because even though I'm currently employed, the job market is so unpredictable these days. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their knowledge and experiences - this is exactly the kind of practical information that can make a huge difference when people are already stressed about their financial situation.

The NYS Department of Labor system is such a mess. I've been waiting 4 months for my back pay and every time I call they give me a different excuse. First it was adjudication, then it was a system update, now they're saying there's some kind of verification issue. Meanwhile I'm about to lose my apartment because I can't pay rent!

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - my claim was approved 10 days ago and I can see all my weekly certifications marked as "paid" in the system, but only received payment for one week. It's really concerning when you're counting on that back pay to catch up on essential expenses. From what I've read in other forums, sometimes there can be automated holds placed on accounts for various reasons even after approval. Have you tried logging into your NY.gov account to see if there are any pending issues or notifications that might explain the delay?

I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago when I lost my job and had to apply for both unemployment and Medicaid. The process was actually smoother than I expected - I applied online through NY State of Health and got approved within about 2 weeks. The key thing is to be honest about your unemployment income when you fill out the application. They'll verify it with NYS Department of Labor anyway, so don't try to hide it. One tip: if you have any medical appointments coming up, ask if they can wait to bill you until your Medicaid approval comes through. Many providers are understanding about this situation. Good luck!

I'm in a similar situation right now - lost my job last month and just got approved for unemployment benefits through NYS Department of Labor. This thread is super helpful! I was really worried about the health insurance gap. One thing I wanted to add is that when I called the NY State of Health customer service line, they told me that even if your unemployment benefits put you slightly over the Medicaid income limit, you might still qualify for subsidized marketplace plans with very low premiums. So definitely worth applying either way. Also, make sure to report any changes in your unemployment benefit amount if it changes - I think that's important for keeping your coverage valid.

I went through the exact same thing a few months ago! The "open" status had me confused too because I wasn't sure if it meant they were still reviewing my claim or if I was approved. But like others have said, "open" is actually the status you want - it means your claim is active and approved. The 2-3 week wait for first payment is standard, even though it feels like forever when you're stressed about bills. I got my first payment on day 16 after filing. Just keep doing your weekly certifications religiously and you should see that first deposit soon. Hang in there!

I can definitely relate to this anxiety - I went through the same thing earlier this year! "Open" status is exactly what you want to see, it means your claim has been processed and approved. The 2 week wait you're experiencing is totally normal, though I know it doesn't make the stress any easier. My first payment came through at the 18-day mark. One thing that helped me was setting up text alerts through the NY.gov website so I'd get notified as soon as there was any update. Also, if you haven't already, make sure you're keeping track of your work search activities in writing - even though payments are delayed, the requirements still apply from day one. You're doing everything right by keeping up with the weekly certifications!

I'm new to this community but wanted to share my experience since I went through something very similar recently. I was terminated for a failed drug test (also marijuana) and was terrified about filing for unemployment. After reading through all these responses, I'm really glad I found this thread because the advice here is spot-on. I did file my claim and was initially denied, but I appealed and actually won my case. The key things that helped me were: 1) I was completely honest on my application about the reason for termination, 2) I gathered all my performance reviews which showed I was a good employee, and 3) I got a letter from my doctor about my medical condition that I was self-medicating for. During the appeal hearing, the judge seemed more interested in whether I was actually impaired at work (which I wasn't) rather than just the positive test result. It took about 3 months total to get through the appeal process, but I ended up getting all my back benefits. Don't give up - the system isn't perfect but it's not automatically stacked against you either. File that claim and fight for what you're entitled to!

I'm sorry you're going through this situation - it's really stressful when you lose your job and aren't sure about benefits. Based on what everyone has shared here, it sounds like you definitely should file your claim right away. The fact that you're using marijuana for chronic pain, even without an official medical card, could actually work in your favor during an appeal if needed. I'd recommend gathering any documentation you have about your pain condition and your work performance before the drug test. Also, when you file your claim, be completely upfront about the drug test failure and the reason for your marijuana use. The NYS Department of Labor has to prove misconduct, not just policy violation, so don't assume you're automatically disqualified. Even if you get denied initially, the appeal process gives you a real chance to present your full story. You have nothing to lose by filing and potentially everything to gain!