Anyone from NY unemployment receive a decision on forfeit appeal yet? Timeline needed

In the same boat. Been waiting since September for a decision on my appeal. They say I owe $9k for a mixup with my part-time earnings back in 2021. Every time I call the system just disconnects me after 30-40 mins on hold! This system is completly broken.

After trying for weeks to reach someone about my overpayment issue, I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) and it was a game changer. Instead of waiting on hold forever, they called NY unemployment for me and connected me directly with an agent when one picked up. Got my questions answered in one call and they helped me understand exactly what was happening with my appeal. It was the only way I could talk to a live agent! Here's their youtube if you want to see how it works: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE

Mine took 5 months to get resolved. Appealed in August 2022, heard back in January 2023. They reduced what I owed from $14,500 to $3,200. At least that was something. The key was sending in EVERY piece of documentation multiple times. I faxed, mailed AND uploaded everything.

i've been dealing with this exact situation and finaly got some movement. try contacting your state rep! I emailed mine about my forfeit appeal that was stuck for 7 months. Their office contacted DOL and suddenly my case was "prioritized". Got a decision 3 weeks later. The rep's office can do magic sometimes when regular channels don't work.

NY unemployment and their forfeit nonsense is literally just a money grab 🤑 They're going after everyone they can because the state unemployment fund is broke. I know FIVE people who got hit with these bogus overpayment notices all around the same time. They're hoping people just pay without fighting.

Okay so here's everything I've learned about NY forfeit appeals after going through hell with mine for 8 months: 1. First, document EVERYTHING. Save screenshots of EVERY submission, confirmation number, etc. NY DOL "loses" documents constantly. 2. Appeals are taking 4-8 months minimum right now. Mine took 6.5 months and that was considered "fast" according to the agent I spoke with. 3. If you need to talk to someone (which you absolutely should), stop wasting time with the regular phone line. I tried for weeks and never got through. I finally used claimyr.com which got me connected to an agent after weeks of trying on my own. Talking to a live agent was what finally got my appeal properly logged in their system. 4. File a complaint with the NY Department of Labor Commissioner's office if you've been waiting over 4 months. Google their complaint form. 5. Contact your state representatives as others have mentioned. This honestly made the biggest difference for me. 6. If they start garnishment proceedings before ruling on your appeal, immediately fax (yes, fax) AND mail a letter stating your appeal is still pending and cite NY labor law that prohibits collection during a pending appeal. 7. Request an advocate from Legal Aid if your case is complex or if you're low income. Hang in there. The system is designed to make you give up, but if you're persistent and document everything, you have a good chance at winning or at least reducing what you owe.

Tip: call exactly at 8:00:01 am when they open. That's the only time I've ever gotten through to NY unemployment without waiting 2+ hours. Even then its like a 50/50 chance.

bro i've been dealin with this 4 almost a YEAR now. got hit with a 18k overpayment in may 2022. appealed in june. still no answer. they started garnishing my wages in february even tho the appeal is still open??? had to get a lawyer involved and it's STILL not resolved. ny unemployment is straight robbery 🤬

Keep calling every single day. I got my appeal resolved but only because I literally called 200+ times over 2 months until I finally got through to someone who actually knew what they were doing. Most of the agents don't even understand how the forfeit system works.

Fun fact: NY DOL has a legal requirement to resolve appeals within 30 days 😂😂😂 What a joke. Mine took 187 days and that was after contacting my state senator.

Check if your notice has calculation errors! Many of these forfeit notices have basic math mistakes. Mine claimed I was paid for 38 weeks when I only certified for 32. When I pointed this out (after FINALLY reaching someone), they admitted the error and reduced what I owed by 40%.

If they start wage garnishment before resolving your appeal, immediately file for financial hardship! There's a specific form on the NY DOL website. They have to reduce the garnishment percentage if you can prove hardship. Saved me from losing my apartment while fighting my case.

My appeal took 7 months but I finally won. They said I didn't provide proof of employment even though I uploaded everything multiple times. Turned out they never even looked at my documents until I got connected to a tier 2 agent who actually pulled them up while I was on the phone. The system is broken beyond belief.

I work with a nonprofit that helps people with unemployment issues. For forfeit appeals, we're seeing average wait times of 5-7 months right now. The system is horrifically backlogged. My best advice: 1) keep detailed records of EVERYTHING, 2) follow up at least monthly, 3) consider getting help from your state rep as others have suggested.

They tried to make me forfeit $8600 last year cuz they said I didn't respond to some document request... that they never actually sent me! 🤦‍♂️ Took 6 months to resolve but I eventually got it down to $0. KEEP FIGHTING THEM! They count on people giving up.