How do I fix unresolved issues with unemployment claim stuck for weeks?
My unemployment claim has been sitting with unresolved issues for almost a month now and I'm getting desperate. The NYS Department of Labor website just shows 'pending adjudication' but doesn't tell me what the actual problem is. I've tried calling every day but either get disconnected or sit on hold for hours without getting through. My last job ended in December when the restaurant I worked at closed permanently, so this should be straightforward. I submitted all my paperwork correctly and my former employer isn't contesting it. What am I supposed to do to get these issues resolved? I'm behind on rent and running out of savings.
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Savannah Vin
The 'unresolved issues' status usually means there's something in your application that requires manual review by an NYS Department of Labor adjudicator. Common triggers include employment gaps, out-of-state work history, or discrepancies in your wage information. Even though your employer isn't contesting, they might need to verify your separation reason or employment dates. You should receive a determination letter explaining the specific issue, but mail can be delayed. Keep checking your online account daily and make sure your mailing address is current.
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Liam Cortez
•I haven't gotten any letter yet and my address is definitely correct. How long does adjudication normally take? I can't wait much longer without income.
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Mason Stone
I had the same issue last year and it turned out they needed additional verification of my identity. Try logging into your my.ny.gov account and check if there are any pending documents or tasks in your unemployment dashboard. Sometimes the issues aren't obvious from the main status page. Also, if you worked in multiple states or had any 1099 income, that can trigger additional review even if everything seems straightforward to you.
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Liam Cortez
•I checked and there's nothing showing that I need to upload. It's so frustrating because I just worked at one restaurant the whole time.
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Makayla Shoemaker
The phone system is absolutely useless right now. I've been trying to reach someone at NYS Department of Labor for three weeks about my own adjudication issue. Someone in another forum mentioned using a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helps you actually get through to agents. They have some kind of system that handles the calling for you. There's even a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Might be worth checking out since the regular phone lines are basically impossible.
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Christian Bierman
•Is that legit? I'm skeptical of paying for something that should be free.
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Makayla Shoemaker
•I haven't tried it yet but at this point I'm willing to try anything. The alternative is sitting on hold for hours every day with no guarantee of getting through.
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Emma Olsen
ugh this happened to me too!! took like 6 weeks before anything happened and then suddenly it was approved. never did figure out what the issue was. the whole system is a mess
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Liam Cortez
•Six weeks?? I really can't wait that long. Did you do anything specific or just wait it out?
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Savannah Vin
While you're waiting for adjudication, make sure you keep filing your weekly claims even though you're not getting paid yet. If you miss filing weeks, you could lose those benefits permanently even after your issues are resolved. Also, document every attempt you make to contact NYS Department of Labor - dates, times, how long you waited on hold. This information can be helpful if you need to file an appeal later or if there are any questions about your job search efforts during this period.
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Liam Cortez
•Good point about the weekly claims. I've been filing them but wasn't sure if I should continue. At least that's one thing I'm doing right.
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Amara Eze
Have you tried contacting your local assembly member or state senator's office? Their constituent services departments often have direct lines to NYS Department of Labor and can help escalate stuck cases. I had a similar situation last year where my claim was pending for 5 weeks, and after my assembly member's office made one call, I got a determination within 3 days. They don't charge anything for this service and it's part of what they do for constituents. You can find your representatives at nysenate.gov and assembly.state.ny.us by entering your zip code. Worth a shot while you're also trying the other suggestions people have given.
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