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If I could give 10 stars I would If I could give 10 stars I would Such an amazing service so needed during the times when EDD almost never picks up Claimyr gets me on the phone with EDD every time without fail faster. A much needed service without Claimyr I would have never received the payment I needed to support me during my postpartum recovery. Thank you so much Claimyr!
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Join the conversation
The adjudication process for business owners is a nightmare! I've been waiting 3 weeks just to speak to someone at NYS Department of Labor about my eligibility. Every time I call the main number I get disconnected or put on hold for hours. Has anyone found a way to actually reach a real person there?
I had the same problem with getting through to NYS Department of Labor. Someone on here mentioned a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helps you connect directly with unemployment agents. I tried it and actually got through to someone within 20 minutes. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Might be worth checking out if you're stuck in phone hell like I was.
Thanks I'll look into that! Anything is better than sitting on hold for 3 hours just to get hung up on.
Ava Williams
Just be honest on your application about being the business owner. NYS Department of Labor will find out anyway when they verify your employment history. The key is showing that the closure was due to economic necessity, not choice. Good luck!
@Giovanni Rossi This is great advice! I d'also suggest gathering any documentation that shows the business closure was involuntary - things like unpaid vendor bills, bank notices about insufficient funds, or correspondence with suppliers about payment issues. The more you can demonstrate it was economic necessity rather than a strategic decision, the stronger your case will be with NYS Department of Labor.
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Yara Haddad
This thread has been so helpful! I'm actually dealing with a similar issue but with my security questions for regular claim certification. Based on all the advice here, I'm definitely going to try calling that dedicated direct deposit line first to see if they can help with security question updates in general. The tip about calling right when they open and having all documents ready is clutch. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - it's so much better getting real advice from people who've actually been through this rather than trying to navigate their confusing website! 🙌
Yes! This whole thread has been a goldmine of info. I was feeling so overwhelmed about dealing with NYDOL before reading through everyone's experiences. The dedicated line tip alone probably saved me hours of frustration. It's crazy how much easier things become when you know the right approach and have the right phone number. Hope your security question update goes smoothly!
Wow, reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful! I'm in a similar situation where I need to update my security info but wasn't sure where to start. The dedicated direct deposit line tip is amazing - I had no idea that existed. I've been putting off calling because I was dreading the wait times on the main line. Going to try calling first thing Monday morning with all my documents ready. Thanks everyone for sharing your real experiences, this is so much more valuable than the generic info on their website!
So glad this thread could help! It's amazing how much smoother things go when you have the right info and approach. Definitely call that dedicated line first thing Monday - the early morning strategy really does make a difference. Having all your docs ready beforehand is key too. Good luck with your security info update! 🤞
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Mason Kaczka
Don't beat yourself up about it! I work in HR and see this happen all the time - people think they need to exhaust their savings first or that unemployment is only for certain situations. The key thing is to file TODAY through ny.gov. Even if you can only backdate a few weeks, that's still money in your pocket. When you apply, be honest about why you delayed - "I was unaware I was eligible and was trying to find work on my own" is a valid reason that often works for at least some backdating. The worst thing you can do now is wait another day!
Emma Wilson
•This is such helpful advice! I had no idea that "being unaware of eligibility" could be a valid reason for backdating. I've been feeling so guilty about waiting, but you're absolutely right - I need to stop beating myself up and just file today. Thank you for the encouragement and the specific wording suggestion!
Just want to add some encouragement here - I was in almost the exact same situation last year! Got laid off and waited about 5 weeks because I thought I needed to "prove" I couldn't find work first. NYS DOL ended up letting me backdate 3 of those weeks when I explained I didn't understand the system. The key is being completely honest in your application about the delay. Also, once you do file, make sure to certify every week going forward even if your claim is still being processed - you don't want to create any more gaps! You've got this, and definitely don't let the guilt stop you from getting the help you're entitled to.
This is exactly what I needed to hear! It's so reassuring to know that others have been in the same boat and it worked out. I'm definitely going to file today and be completely honest about why I waited. The tip about continuing to certify weekly even during processing is super helpful too - I would have probably made that mistake otherwise. Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences here, it's making me feel so much less alone in this situation!
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Update on my similar situation: quit in February for childcare, applied in March, got questionnaire in April, and FINALLY got approved last week. But here's the thing - they only approved me after I got through to an actual person who reviewed my case. The online system is useless for complicated cases like ours.
Chris Elmeda
•That's really good to know, thank you! Did they backdate your payments to when you first applied?
Yes! I got all backpay from my initial filing date (minus the waiting week). Was a huge relief to get that lump sum after months of stress.
Nia Harris
I'm in a very similar boat - had to quit my job in March when my daughter's daycare suddenly closed and I couldn't find backup care. Just submitted my questionnaire last week and now playing the waiting game. Reading all these responses is both encouraging and terrifying! It sounds like the key is getting an actual human to review your case rather than letting it sit in the automated system forever. I'm going to give it another week or two before trying one of those callback services people mentioned. Fingers crossed we both get approved soon - the financial stress is real! 🤞
Connor O'Neill
ugh the whole system is so frustrating!! they make it impossible to get benefits even when you legitimately need them. i know people who got denied for the stupidest reasons
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Sofia Gomez
•The rules exist for a reason though. The system has to prevent fraud while helping people who genuinely lost their jobs through no fault of their own.
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Keisha Williams
Before you quit, definitely document everything you can about the toxic behavior - save any inappropriate emails, texts, or messages from your manager. Write down dates, times, and details of incidents with witnesses present if possible. Also check if your company has an employee handbook that outlines policies about workplace conduct - violations of their own policies can strengthen your case for "good cause" if you do end up quitting. The key is showing you tried to resolve it through proper channels first and that the situation was genuinely intolerable.
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Emma Davis
•This is really helpful advice! I didn't think about checking the employee handbook for policy violations. That could definitely help build a case. Do you know if screenshots of text messages or recorded conversations (if legal) would be considered good documentation too?
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