How to start NY unemployment back pay process after filing in February with no payments

You need to specifically request backdating for your claim. This doesn't happen automatically, even though it should. First, try submitting a secure message through your NY.gov account. Go to your unemployment dashboard, click on 'Messages' and create a new message with the subject line 'Request for Claim Backdating' and explain your situation clearly with dates. Include that you've been trying to call without success. If you don't get a response within 7-10 business days, you'll need to keep calling. The best times are early morning (7:30-8:15 AM) or late afternoon (4:15-4:45 PM) when call volume is typically lower.

keep certifying every week no matter what!!! even if u dont get paid yet. u need 2 have all weeks certified to get backpay. dont miss any week or u might lose that money 4ever

The NY unemployment system is COMPLETELY BROKEN by design!!! They make it impossible to reach anyone on purpose so people give up and don't get the money they're owed. I had the exact same issue last year and waited 4 months with no payment. The backdating request form they claim exists? It doesn't actually work. The only thing that worked was when I finally got through to an actual agent who fixed it in 10 minutes. But they make that nearly impossible!

Have you checked your payment history page? Sometimes there's a specific issue listed there that explains why your payments are held up. Look for any messages about "pending" or "review" status. There could be an identity verification issue or unresolved question about your employment separation that's causing the delay. Also, check your NY.gov inbox and spam folder for any communications from NYSDOL. They sometimes send notices requiring additional documentation with very short timeframes to respond.

I had a similar issue when I filed in January. "Pending determination" usually means they're investigating something about your claim. In my case, my former employer contested the reason for separation. I was stuck in limbo for months until I finally reached an agent who told me what was happening. The stupid thing is they never notified me there was an issue - I just saw the same "pending determination" status you're seeing.

After dealing with the same issue (4 months without payments!!!), I finally tried a service called Claimyr that got me through to an NY unemployment agent in about 40 minutes. It was a lifesaver! The agent was able to see that my claim had a flag for "employer verification" that no one had bothered to resolve. She removed the hold right away and I got all my backpay within a week. They have a video showing how it works at https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE - check out their site at claimyr.com if you're desperate like I was.

To directly answer your original question: the formal backpay process for NY unemployment involves: 1. Continue certifying for benefits every week (as you've been doing) 2. Submit a request for backdating through your online account's messaging system 3. Specify the exact date your unemployment began and why you couldn't file earlier (if applicable) 4. If no response after 10 business days, you need to speak with an agent Once backdating is approved, they'll release all eligible weeks of payment at once, though it might take 2-3 business days to hit your bank account or debit card. The "pending determination" status others mentioned is significant - it means there's a specific issue with your claim that needs resolution before any payments can be released, including backpay.

Also FYI - when I *finally* got my backpay, they owed me over $9,800 for the 4 months they made me wait. Be prepared that when your money does come, the NY tax withholding might be calculated incorrectly on such a large lump sum. I had to call AGAIN to get them to fix the withholding amounts. Just another broken part of their system!

Another thing to check: log into your NY.gov ID account (not just your unemployment dashboard) and make sure your account isn't locked and that all your contact information is up to date. Sometimes notices get sent to old email addresses or phone numbers, and you miss critical information. Also, check if you have access to your 1099-G tax form from last year (if you filed previously). If you can't access it, that could indicate an account verification issue that needs to be resolved.

Have you tried contacting your state representative? My cousin was in a similar situation and after 3 months of getting nowhere, she contacted her state assembly member's office. They have special liaisons who can escalate cases with NYSDOL. She had her issue resolved within 2 weeks after the representative's office got involved.

update us when u get ur money! been waitng 2 months myself

I went through the exact same thing last year - filed in March and didn't see a penny until July! The "pending determination" status you're seeing is key. In my case, it turned out my former employer had flagged my claim for review but nobody bothered to tell me. What finally worked was calling at exactly 8:00 AM on a Tuesday (they seem to have more staff then) and staying on hold for 2+ hours. Yes, it's brutal, but I finally got through to someone who could see what was holding up my claim. They also backdated everything once the issue was resolved. Don't give up - that money is rightfully yours!

I'm dealing with a very similar situation right now - filed in late January and still waiting on my first payment! The "pending determination" status is so frustrating because they give you zero information about what's actually wrong. I've been following this thread and trying some of the suggestions people mentioned. One thing that helped me was checking the "Correspondence" section in my online account (not just Messages) - I found a notice there that I had somehow missed before asking for additional wage verification from a previous employer. Maybe check there if you haven't already? Also, I tried the Claimyr service that Sofia mentioned and actually got through to an agent yesterday! Turns out my claim was flagged because my previous employer never responded to their verification request, so it was just sitting in limbo. The agent was able to push it through and said I should see payments within 5-7 business days. Fingers crossed! Keep pushing - it's exhausting but we have to advocate for ourselves since the system won't do it for us. 💪