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!

So glad you got this resolved! This thread is going to be super helpful for anyone else who makes this mistake. The key takeaways seem to be: 1) Don't panic - it's fixable, 2) Call immediately and be persistent, 3) Document all your attempts, and 4) Try calling mid-morning rather than right at opening. Thanks for updating us with the resolution - too many people post problems but never follow up with what actually worked!

This is exactly why I keep a checklist next to my computer every certification day! I write down each question and my answer before clicking anything. After reading horror stories like this, I'm way too paranoid to rush through it. The NYSDOL system really needs a "review your answers" page before final submission - it's 2025 and most shopping websites have better error prevention than our unemployment system! Glad you got it sorted out though, and thanks for sharing the resolution steps!

This whole thread is so reassuring to read! I made a similar mistake last year (accidentally said I was unavailable for work when I meant available) and went through the exact same panic. The 15 call attempts over two days sounds about right - that's basically what it took for me too. One thing I'd add for anyone dealing with this in the future: if you're getting the "high call volume" disconnect message repeatedly, try calling the TTY line instead if you qualify. Sometimes it has shorter wait times. Also, don't feel bad about the mistake - the interface is genuinely confusing and the questions are worded in a way that's easy to misread when you're stressed about money. The important thing is you caught it quickly and got it fixed!

This is such a valuable thread for anyone dealing with NYSDOL certification errors! As someone who's been navigating the unemployment system for months, I can't stress enough how important it is to have these real-world experiences documented. The official NYSDOL resources are so vague - they just tell you to "contact us" without explaining what actually happens or how long it takes. Reading about your 15 call attempts over two days gives people realistic expectations. I'm bookmarking this thread to share with others who might face similar issues. It's also crazy how many people have made similar mistakes - really shows that the system design is the problem, not user error. Thanks for taking the time to update with your resolution - that kind of follow-through is so rare but incredibly helpful for the community!

I'm so glad I found this thread! I literally made the exact same mistake this morning - accidentally clicked "yes" to earning over $504 when I earned nothing. I was rushing to certify before work and my heart sank the moment I realized what I'd done. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been such a relief, especially seeing that @Anastasia Romanov got it resolved! I'm definitely going to start calling first thing tomorrow morning based on the advice about mid-morning being better than right at opening. Going to document everything like @Zara Malik suggested too. Thank you all for sharing your real experiences - this is way more helpful than anything on the official NYSDOL website!

Reading through this entire thread has been so eye-opening! I've been on unemployment for about 3 months now and have been terrified of making a mistake like this. The fact that so many people have accidentally clicked the wrong button really shows how poorly designed the certification interface is. What strikes me most is how helpful this community has been compared to the official NYSDOL resources - you all provided more useful information in one thread than I've found anywhere on their website! I'm definitely going to start using the checklist method that @Mason Stone mentioned and keep this thread bookmarked in case I ever need it. It's also really encouraging to see that the actual agents are understanding and helpful once you get through to them. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences, especially @Anastasia Romanov for following up with the resolution!