Different rules for seasonal workers with NY unemployment? My payments are delayed

Yes, there is a difference for seasonal employment! When you file for NY unemployment, you need to indicate if your work was seasonal. The system needs this information because it affects your benefit calculation and eligibility period. Seasonal workers can absolutely qualify for benefits, but the NYSDOL looks at your base period earnings differently. They want to make sure your unemployment isn't just part of your normal off-season. If you worked at other jobs during the year too, make sure all those wages are included in your claim. As for your payment delay, three weeks is definitely longer than normal. Most initial payments should process within 7-10 days after your first certification. This sounds like your claim might be flagged for review or there's some issue that needs addressing.

Having the same issue!! My payments have been stuck on pending for almost a month now. I worked at a Christmas tree lot from November-December and applied in January. The system is SO BROKEN!!!

I work construction (seasonal in NY) and deal with this every winter. Here's what you need to know: 1. Yes, you should have indicated seasonal employment on your application. It doesn't necessarily reduce your benefits, but the DOL reviews these claims more carefully to make sure you're not someone who only works summers by choice. 2. Your payment delay is likely due to a review flag. When the system detects something that needs verification (like seasonal work patterns), your claim gets put in a queue for manual review. 3. You NEED to talk to a representative to resolve this. Unfortunately the phone system is completely overwhelmed right now. I tried calling 32 times yesterday and never got through.

After WEEKS of getting nowhere with the phone system, I finally got through to NYSDOL using Claimyr.com. It connected me to an agent in about 20 minutes when I'd been trying for days on my own. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE Turns out my claim was flagged because I had worked seasonal jobs for two different employers and they needed to verify something. Once I actually talked to someone, they fixed it in minutes and released all my back payments the next day.

Yes, it absolutely worked for me. I was skeptical too but I was getting desperate after not being able to reach anyone for almost 3 weeks. The service connected me with an actual NYSDOL agent who had the authority to fix my claim. Just be ready with all your information when you call - your claim number, employer details, and the exact weeks you've certified for.

Hey just fyi to everyone - my neighbor files for seasonal work at the apple orchards every fall and she says the rules changed for 2025. Something about needing more work quarters to qualify if your job is designated as "regularly seasonal" vs just temporary. Might want to check on that.

Update: I finally got through to someone at NYSDOL yesterday! Turns out my claim was flagged because I hadn't properly indicated the seasonal nature of my work AND because my employer hadn't responded to their verification request. The agent was able to manually review my case and process my payments. They said I should receive all three weeks of backpay within 2-3 business days. For anyone else dealing with this: definitely make sure you specify if your work is seasonal when you file. And if your payments are delayed, keeping trying to reach someone because it probably won't resolve itself automatically.

I used that Claimyr service someone mentioned above. Felt weird paying to get through to unemployment but I was desperate and it actually worked. Got connected to an agent in about 15 minutes when I'd been trying for days. Worth it to get my claim unstuck.

For anyone dealing with seasonal work claims, here's a checklist to avoid delays: 1. Mark your employment as seasonal if that's accurate 2. List ALL employers from the last 18 months, not just your seasonal job 3. Be ready to explain why you're available for full-time, year-round work now 4. Make sure your contact info is current so they can reach you if there are questions 5. Answer all fact-finding questionnaires promptly In my experience, seasonal claims almost always get extra scrutiny. The DOL is checking that you're not someone who voluntarily only works part of the year.