Anyone else still waiting for their NY unemployment tourism relief check?

Yeah I'm still waiting too. Was supposed to get $2340 according to my account page. I check every day and still just says "approved - processing" since December. Called like 20 times and either get hung up on or stuck in that stupid phone tree hell. They did this with my regular benefits too, took 4 months to get my first payment when I lost my restaurant job.

I gave up waiting and finally found a service that helped me get through to a real agent! Used claimyr.com and they called NY unemployment for me, waited on hold, then connected me with an actual human. The agent told me there was a glitch in my account that was preventing payment. They fixed it on the spot and my check arrived 5 days later! Talking to an agent got my $ unlocked so fast - it was the only way I could talk to a live agent. Check out this video too https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE

I GOT MINE YESTERDAY!! After waiting since November. I never got any notification or tracking info, it just showed up in the mail. Check your informed delivery if you have USPS account set up.

My sister got hers but I didn't get mine yet. We both worked at the same hotel and applied the same week. Unemployment has been a nightmare since day 1 😫

I work for a tourism-related nonprofit and we haven't received any tourism relief payments for our staff. From what I understand there are issues with the way the system categorizes certain jobs in the tourism sector. Check if your employer used the correct industry code when reporting to DOL - that might be why your payment is stuck.

There are over 100,000 of us who haven't gotten checks yet according to what a labor department rep told me when I finally reached someone. They said to keep waiting - payments are being processed in batches and some could take up to 6 months from approval. The whole thing is a mess!

Anyone else notice how they removed the tourism relief FAQ section from the website last week? That seems suspicious to me... like they dont want to have to answer questions about the delays.

I had the EXACT same issue, stuck on "pending" for months. Here's what worked for me: First, you absolutely need to speak with a live agent. The online system can't fix these glitches. After trying for weeks, I used claimyr.com which basically automates the calling and holds your place in line. They call you when an agent is actually on the line. When I got through, turns out there was a flag on my account because my employer had filed some paperwork incorrectly. The agent removed the flag and my payment was processed within 72 hours. DON'T just keep waiting - these issues won't resolve themselves. The tourism relief program had way more applicants than they expected and their system wasn't prepared. You need to: 1. Get a live agent on the phone (use claimyr if you're desperate like I was) 2. Ask specifically about any "flags" or "holds" on your tourism relief payment 3. Request they check if your employer's industry code qualifies 4. Get a confirmation number for your call Hope this helps someone - this whole process has been a nightmare but there is hope!

Just a heads up - if anyone here also worked at multiple tourism places, make sure they're combining all eligible employment. I worked at a museum AND a hotel, but they only counted the museum job at first. Had to call to get them to combine. Total went from $800 to $2100.

Anybody know if this tourism thing is still open for applications? My mom worked at a gift shop on Niagara Falls and nobody told her about this program.

nope ur not alone. every1 in my tour guide group is still waiting. we all qualified but zero dollars so far. im ready to give up tbh. ny unemployment is a joke!!

Watch your mail CAREFULLY! My check came in an envelope that looked exactly like junk mail. Almost threw it away. No markings saying it was from NY state or anything. Just a plain white envelope with a PO Box return address.

Anyone else get approved for the tourism payment but then got a followup letter saying they need additional verification? I sent in all the docs they asked for back in December and haven't heard anything since.

I was stuck in the exact same situation, OP. I'm guessing you filed on your own? I gave up after months of no payment and ended up contacting my state assemblyman's office. They have direct lines to DOL and got my payment unstuck within a week. Worth a try!

Random but has anyone else's tourism payment status disappeared completely from their online account? Mine showed pending for months but now when I log in there's no mention of it anywhere 😳