Finally got first NY unemployment payment but missing 4 months of backpay - is this normal?

Ugh same here! Applied in January, got approved in May, and only received payments going forward - nothing for those 4 months I was struggling. I ended up using this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an actual human at unemployment after trying to call for weeks. They helped me get all my backpay within 10 days. Speaking with a real agent was the only thing that solved it - they had to manually release the payments. Best decision I made because talking to an agent got my $ unlocked so fast! Here's a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE

This is happening to a TON of people with ny unemployment right now. The system is totally overwhelmed and they're prioritizing new claims. You have to keep calling until you get through - it's literally the only way to fix it. I had to call 78 times in one day before getting through to someone who could help.

The backpay should automatically process but theres a huge backlog. Mine took exactly 7 weeks after my first payment to show up, and it came as one lump sum. Don't give up hope but definitely try to get someone on the phone to confirm your backpay is atleast in the queue for processing.

Have you checked your payment history on the website? Sometimes the backpay is already being processed but hasn't hit your account yet. Also check your email/mail because they might have sent you a questionnaire that needs to be answered before they release the funds. My brother had a similar situation and it turned out they needed more info from him.

Unfortunately the system is a complete disaster. I had to wait 3 months for my first payment and then another 2 months for backpay. The only thing that worked was contacting my state representative who lit a fire under DOL. Try that route - most have unemployment case workers who can get things moving. Good luck!

Check if ur claim status is showing as 'pending.' if it is, thats why u didnt get backpay. they need to move it to 'approved' for all those weeks. u DEFINITELY need to talk to a rep to fix this. I was in exact same boat and wasted 5 months trying to figure it out myself. DON'T WAIT!!!

When I was waitin for backpay I found out they had put a 'hold' on my account cuz my identity needed extra verification... but THEY NEVER TOLD ME! I only found out when I finally got through to someone. Ask specifically if theres a hold or flag on your account when you talk to them.

I work with a community aid group helping people with unemployment issues. Here's what you need to know about backpay with NY unemployment: 1) Always double-check your payment history on the website to see if there are any pending payments or messages about your claim 2) Make sure you've certified correctly for ALL weeks - any missing weeks won't be paid 3) The most common reason for delayed backpay is an identity verification issue or a question about your eligibility for certain weeks 4) The ONLY way to resolve this is to speak directly with a claims specialist 5) Don't waste weeks trying to call yourself - use claimyr.com which will connect you to an agent (it's what we recommend to all our clients now) 6) Once you get through, specifically ask: "Is there a hold on my backpay and what do I need to do to release it?" 7) Get the agent's name and a reference number for your call People are waiting 3-6 months for backpay right now unless they take action. Don't just wait - be proactive! The system is completely overwhelmed still.

idk why everyone is suggesting complicated solutions. THE BACKPAY WILL COME EVENTUALLY. the system is just slow af. took me 13 weeks to get my backpay after first payment. just be patient.

Let me tell you a little secret about NY unemployment that nobody tells you: they don't automatically process backpay anymore. They used to during peak covid but now you have to EXPLICITLY request it. I learned this the hard way after waiting 5 months. Call them ASAP and ask for 'backdate adjustment and payment release' specifically.

I feel your pain...I had same issue and it almost cost me my apartment. Try calling right at 7:55am when they first open - thats how I finally got through. If that doesn't work, go to ur nearest career center in person and ask for help. Theyll put you on an internal call that bypasses the public line.

they prob think ur committing fraud lol. I had same issue and they had flagged my account for 'suspicious activity' which was complete BS. They make u jump thru hoops to get what ur owed. classic new york 🤦‍♀️

sometimes the mail system is backed up too. did you do the ID verification through [ID.me](https://ID.me)? if you didn't complete that, your backpay won't process. check your spam folders for emails about identity verification.

Hmmm, interesting issue. I actually work with someone who used to manage unemployment reviews and he told me that there are THREE separate verification processes each backpay has to go through, and if any one of them flags your account, the money won't come through. Absolutely ridiculous. Claimyr.com helped me bypass all that nonsense. Got a call from an agent who discovered my backpay was stuck in the 'eligibility review queue'. Fixed on the spot and got paid 2 days later.

I swear i saw someone with the exact same problem post last week. The issue was they answered one of the weekly certification questions wrong and it put all their backpay on hold. You should double check all your weekly certifications and see if any are marked as 'pending' instead of 'processed'.