Can I still claim NY unemployment back pay in 2025 if I never received it before?

Thanks for the quick response! Do you know if there's a specific department I should ask for when I call? I've tried calling the main unemployment number a few times but I can never get through to a real person.

That's such a relief! I was worried there was some 60-day rule or something. I'll definitely use that term 'retroactive benefits' when I call. Thanks!

Ugh, that's what I'm afraid of... I tried last week and gave up after being on hold for 45 minutes.

That's awesome you finally got it! Did they give you any hassle about waiting so long to call about it?

does that service actually work? seems sketchy to me

Yeah it's legit. I was skeptical too but was desperate after trying for 3 weeks to get through. They don't access your unemployment account or anything - they just connect the call once they get through to NYSDOL.

This is really helpful info! When you say documentation, what exactly would I need? I have my approval letter but not sure what else to gather before calling.

Your approval letter is good. Also have ready: - The exact dates of the weeks you're claiming - Any confirmation emails/texts from when you certified those weeks - Your income documentation from that period (to verify you were unemployed) - Your claim confirmation number Basically anything that proves you were eligible during those specific weeks. The more documentation you have, the smoother it will go.

Oh no, that's frustrating they shorted you! Did you end up getting the full amount eventually?

I did but it took filing an appeal and waiting ANOTHER 6 weeks. Make sure when you call you get confirmation numbers for EVERYTHING and write down the name of who you talk to. Trust me on this.

Thanks for the warning! I'll make sure I'm somewhere with good reception when I call.

That's encouraging! I'm only owed for about 4 weeks but that's still a decent amount of money I could really use right now.

Thanks for this tip! I'll definitely ask for a Retroactive Payment Specialist specifically.

Congrats! Glad it worked out for you! Let us know when you actually get the money.

Great news! That's exactly how the process is supposed to work. The payments should hit your account the same way your regular benefits did - either direct deposit or the debit card depending on what you set up.

That's awesome Paolo! Thanks for updating us - this gives me hope for my own situation. I'm dealing with something similar and was getting discouraged by all the phone horror stories. Definitely going to try that Claimyr service now.

@Paolo Conti So glad you got it sorted out! Your experience gives me confidence to keep pushing forward with my own back pay claim. I ve'been putting off calling because I was intimidated by all the horror stories about wait times, but seeing that you got through in 20 minutes with that service makes it seem much more manageable. Thanks for sharing your success story and for updating the thread - it s'really helpful for others dealing with the same issue!

@Paolo Conti That s'fantastic news! Really happy it worked out for you. Your story is super encouraging for those of us who are still fighting the system. I ve'been dealing with a similar back pay issue for about 6 weeks now and was starting to lose hope. Definitely going to try that Claimyr service - 20 minutes sounds like a miracle compared to the 3+ hour waits I ve'been experiencing. Thanks for keeping us updated and proving that persistence pays off!

@Paolo Conti Congratulations on finally getting this resolved! Your persistence really paid off. I m'curious - when you spoke with the Retroactive Payment Specialist, did they mention anything about interest or penalties for the delay? I m'in a similar boat and wondering if NY adds any compensation for their processing delays. Also, did they give you a specific timeline for when the funds would actually hit your account?

@Paolo Conti That s'such great news! I m'so relieved to hear someone actually got their back pay sorted out. I ve'been dealing with a similar situation for about 2 months now and was starting to think I d'never see that money. Your post gives me hope that it s'actually possible to get through to someone who can help. I m'definitely going to try calling Monday morning like Emma suggested and ask specifically for a Retroactive Payment Specialist. Thanks for updating us - it really helps to know the system can actually work sometimes!

@Paolo Conti That s'amazing news! Congratulations on getting it resolved. I m'actually in almost the exact same situation - filed for unemployment in December and never received back pay for 3 weeks I was eligible for. Your success story gives me so much hope! I was starting to think I d'missed some kind of deadline. Definitely going to try that Claimyr service you mentioned and ask specifically for a Retroactive Payment Specialist when I get through. Thanks so much for updating us with your experience - it s'incredibly helpful to see that the system actually does work when you know how to navigate it!

@Paolo Conti That s'such wonderful news! Your update really gives me hope - I ve'been in a similar situation for about 8 weeks now and was starting to lose faith in the system. The fact that you got through in just 20 minutes with that service is incredible compared to the horror stories I ve'been hearing. I m'definitely going to try Claimyr this week and ask specifically for a Retroactive Payment Specialist like you did. Thanks for taking the time to update us - it s'so helpful to see a success story and know that persistence actually pays off!

@Paolo Conti Wow, that s'such great news! I ve'been lurking on this thread because I m'dealing with the exact same issue - filed in October but never got my back pay for 5 weeks I was eligible for. I was getting really discouraged reading about all the phone wait times, but your success with Claimyr gives me hope! $2,180 is nothing to sneeze at either. I m'definitely going to try calling this week and ask for a Retroactive Payment Specialist specifically. Thanks so much for updating us - it s'really encouraging to see someone actually get their money!

This thread has been so helpful! I'm bookmarking it for reference. One thing I'd add for anyone calling - make sure you have a pen and paper ready to write down confirmation numbers and the agent's name/ID number. I learned this the hard way with other government agencies. Also, if you get disconnected or transferred, don't hang up immediately - sometimes they can call you back if you stay on the line for a minute or two. Good luck to everyone dealing with this - it's frustrating but clearly possible to resolve with persistence!

That's such a great tip @Cedric Chung! I had no idea that assembly members could help with unemployment issues. I've been struggling with the phone system for weeks and this could be a game changer. Do you remember roughly how long it took for them to respond when you first reached out? And did you need to provide any specific documentation when you contacted them? This seems like it could be especially helpful for people who've been trying the phone route unsuccessfully for months. Thanks for sharing this - definitely going to look up my assembly member as a backup plan!