Accidentally said YES to earning over $504 on NY unemployment certification - can't fix it!

Don't panic! This happens more often than you'd think. You need to call the NYSDOL claims center as soon as possible to explain the error. Make sure you have your NY.gov ID and PIN ready when you call. They can correct certification errors like this, but you need to be persistent about getting through to a representative.

same thing happened 2 me last month!! i was literally on hold for 3 HOURS before i gave up. tried again next day, same thing. super frustrating system 😡

You HAVE to call them - there's no online way to fix a certification once it's submitted. I made this exact mistake in January. The system doesn't let you make corrections online which is completely ridiculous in 2025! But here's the most important thing: document everything. Write down the date and time you try calling, how long you waited, etc. If they try to say you reported income fraudulently, you'll need to prove you attempted to correct it immediately.

After you finally get this fixed, make sure to slow down next time!! I triple check everything before hitting submit now because fixing mistakes is such a nightmare lol. Good luck!!!

I wasted two whole days trying to get through to NYSDOL when this happened to me. The phone system is absolutely broken. After failing repeatedly, I tried Claimyr (claimyr.com) and got through to an agent in about 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE. Was absolutely worth it because the agent was able to fix my certification right there on the call, and my payment was only delayed by one day instead of potentially weeks.

I work with unemployment cases frequently, and I want to clarify something important: When you make an error on your certification, NYSDOL treats this as a 'questionable certification' which flags your account for review. This is different from a fraud investigation, so try not to worry excessively. However, it's critical that you contact them ASAP because: 1. Your payment will be held until the issue is resolved 2. If left unaddressed, it could trigger a more formal review 3. You have only 7 days from certification to make corrections before further complications arise If you can't get through by phone by tomorrow, I would recommend sending a secure message through your NY.gov account detailing the error. While this doesn't replace the need to speak with someone, it creates a timestamped record of your attempt to correct the mistake.

sorry but this happens ALL THE TIME and its why the system is garbage. my cousin works for the state (not unemployment but different dept) and says they DESIGNED it to be confusing so people make mistakes and get discouraged from collecting benefits!!! its not an accident!!!

UPDATE: I finally got through to someone at NYSDOL! For anyone who has this problem in the future, it took me 15 call attempts spread across two days. The agent was actually super nice and fixed it right away. They put a note on my account that it was an accidental certification error. She said my payment might be delayed by 1-2 days but should process normally. Such a relief!