How to get NY unemployment back payments after multiple ignored requests?

same thing happened to me! took FOREVER to get backpay. the phone system is completely useless, i swear they designed it to make u give up

The NY unemployment system is deliberately understaffed to reduce claims. I've been through this exact nightmare. You need to document EVERYTHING. Send your requests via the message portal but also mail a physical letter to the appeals department with copies of all your previous attempts. Include dates, times, and reference numbers for every contact attempt. Address it to: NYS Department of Labor PO Box 15130 Albany, NY 12212-5130 Mark it URGENT - BACK PAYMENT REQUEST

my cousin went thru this last month!! she said back payments are super backed up right now cuz of the new system update in February. what she did was file a formal appeal using form TC-403.1 which u can find on the NYSDOL website. apparently that gets routed to a different team than regular requests. she got her money within 10 days after that! might be worth a shot??

I handle NY unemployment cases professionally, and there's a system to this madness. Here's what works: 1. Back payment requests must specify "Request for Backdating" in the subject line 2. You need to file Form TC-403.1 as mentioned above 3. Include a clear explanation for why you didn't file initially (expectation of severance is valid) 4. Provide documentation of when your employment ended The most important thing to understand is that the online portal requests often get misdirected in their system. After the February 2025 system update, many backdate requests are being categorized incorrectly. Call the appeals department directly at (518) 402-0089. This bypasses the main queue.

I had such a nightmare with backpay last month!!! Calling that main number is USELESS. I spent 5 hours on hold one day and then got disconnected. I was ready to give up but then found this service called Claimyr that got me through to an actual agent in about 20 minutes. Basically they call for you and then connect you when they reach a human. I was skeptical but desperate and it actually worked. The agent I spoke with processed my back payments on the spot. Here's their site if you want to check it out: claimyr.com They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE So much better than wasting days trying to get through yourself.

My nieghbor works for DOL (not in claims tho) and she says they're swamped after the budget cuts this year. Said theres like half the staff handling 3x the claims compared to before!!!! No wonder nobody answers the dam phone!!!! Did you try reaching out to your state assembly person? My cousin got her claim fixed in like 2 days after she contacted her local rep!

An update on backdating requests in NY: As of April 2025, NYSDOL has implemented a new process for these claims. You now need to: 1. Complete Form TC-403.1 (Request for Backdating) 2. Submit supporting documentation showing why you didn't apply initially 3. Include a signed attestation form (Form UI-AT25) The UI-AT25 is new and specifically addresses severance expectation situations. You'll need to declare under penalty of perjury that you were eligible during those weeks. This approach has a much higher success rate than portal messages. My clients are typically seeing resolution within 2-3 weeks using this method versus 8-12 weeks through portal requests.

u guys are making this wayyy too complicated. just keep calling!!! it took me like 17 tries but i finally got thru to someone who fixed my backpay in like 5 mins. the trick is to call right when they open at 8am sharp. not 8:01, not 8:05, but 8:00:00 exactly!!

Going back to your original situation - there's actually a specific reason your requests might be getting ignored. In January 2025, NYSDOL changed how they handle severance-related situations. If your initial application mentioned possible severance, the system automatically flags backdating requests for additional review. You need to specifically address this in your appeal by stating: 1. You were told you MIGHT receive severance 2. You ultimately did NOT receive severance during those weeks 3. You were otherwise eligible (available for work, actively searching, etc.) Without explicitly addressing these points, your request will continue sitting in their "requires additional information" queue indefinitely.

When I had trouble with my claim I just gave up and got a job at Walmart lol. Not worth the headache dealing with government bureaucracy. Good luck tho!

sooo what did u end up doing?? any luck getting your backpay yet??