NY unemployment 599 program backlogged to April 2025 - anyone else stuck waiting?

Unfortunately, this is accurate. The 599 Training Program is severely backlogged right now due to the recent system upgrade combined with staffing shortages. I applied in January and just got approved last week (late May). The backlog seems to change based on your region though - some DOL offices are processing faster than others. Which region did you apply in?

I'm in the Buffalo region. Did you do anything special to get yours processed? 4 months is just too long to wait when I need to get retrained for a new career ASAP.

yep same boat, applied in feb still nothing. they dont even respond to messages on the portal anyone

Have you tried calling them? I can never get through to an actual person.

The 599 Program backlog is a real issue right now. Here's what you should know:\n\n1. The 599 Program allows you to receive UI benefits while in approved training without having to look for work\n2. Recent system changes have created a significant backlog\n3. You CAN start your training before approval, but you'll still need to certify that you're looking for work until your 599 application is approved\n4. Once approved, it's retroactive to your application date\n\nMy suggestion: Start your training now if possible, continue job searching requirements until approved, and make sure all your 599 paperwork is complete and accurate to avoid further delays.

Thanks for the detailed info. So I can actually start classes while waiting for approval? That's helpful to know! Do you have any tips for getting through to an actual person at NYSDOL? I have questions about my specific situation.

I heard they prioritize applications based on start dates of your training program. If your program starts soon, they might expedite. At least that's what someone at the career center told me last week.

This isn't entirely accurate. While they do consider training start dates, they're primarily processing in the order received. What they might do is conditionally approve someone whose training starts before their application would normally be processed, but you still need to submit well in advance.

I've been dealing with the 599 program since February and its a NIGHTMARE!!! Nobody answers calls, emails disappear into the void, and the online system is useless. I ended up having to start my program while still waiting for approval because I couldn't delay any longer. Been doing job search AND school which is EXHAUSTING. The whole system is broken!!!!

yeah same i just gave up and got a crappy job instead. not worth the hassle

After weeks of trying to reach someone about my 599 application, I finally got through using Claimyr (claimyr.com). They connected me to an actual NYSDOL agent in about 25 minutes when I'd been trying for weeks with no luck. The agent was able to check my 599 status and tell me exactly what was missing from my application. Totally worth it for me - you can see how it works here: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE

I've never heard of this service before. They can actually get you through to unemployment? I might try this because I'm desperate to get some answers about my application.

is this legit? seems sketchy to me

@profile7 It's completely legitimate. They use a call technology that waits on hold for you and then calls you back when they reach a representative. I was skeptical too but it worked exactly as advertised.

Just checked them out, gonna try it tomorrow morning. Thanks for the tip!

Don't get me started on the 599 program. Applied in December 2024 and didn't get approved until late April 2025. The REAL problem is that even after approval, it took them 3 more weeks to actually update my account status in the system! I had to keep doing work search activities for WEEKS after being

This is an important point. Even after 599 approval, continue your work search activities until you see your UI Online account status actually change to \

UPDATE: I used that Claimyr service today and actually got through to someone at NYSDOL! The agent told me they could expedite my application because my training program starts in 3 weeks. They said I was missing a form from my school that needs to be submitted. Going to get that fixed tomorrow. Thanks everyone for the advice!

That's great news! The missing form is likely the TAA/599 Training Certification form that needs to be completed by your educational institution. Make sure they include the exact program dates and curriculum details. Good luck!

Lucky you!! I'm STILL waiting after 3 months...

I'm in a similar situation - applied for the 599 program in March and still haven't heard anything back. It's so frustrating because I found a great IT certification program that could really help my career prospects, but I'm hesitant to start without knowing if I'll get approved. Reading through these comments, it sounds like I should just go ahead and enroll while continuing my job search requirements. Has anyone had success with specific regional offices being faster than others? I'm in the Rochester area and wondering if it's worth trying to contact a different office.

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Applied for the 599 program in February and they told me it could be June before I even hear back. It's absolutely ridiculous that we have to choose between starting training and potentially losing benefits, or waiting months just to get approval. I ended up starting my cybersecurity bootcamp anyway because I couldn't afford to wait any longer. Been doing the job search requirements while in class and it's definitely challenging, but at least I'm making progress toward my career goals. The retroactive approval aspect gives me some peace of mind. Has anyone had luck escalating through their local assemblywoman or congressman's office? I'm thinking about reaching out to see if they can put any pressure on NYSDOL to speed things up. This backlog is hurting people who are genuinely trying to get back into the workforce with better skills.

Just wanted to share my experience since I went through this exact same situation last year. I applied for the 599 program in November 2024 and didn't get approved until March 2025 - so about 4 months of waiting like you're experiencing now. Here's what I learned that might help others: 1. DO start your training program while waiting - the retroactive approval is real and it saved me from losing months of potential progress 2. Keep detailed records of everything - save all your application confirmations, training enrollment docs, and any communication attempts with NYSDOL 3. The Claimyr service mentioned by others actually works - I used it twice and got through both times when I couldn't reach anyone directly 4. Your local One-Stop Career Center can sometimes help check on application status, though they can't speed up the process The most frustrating part was doing job searches while in full-time classes, but it's definitely manageable if you plan your schedule right. I ended up getting a much better job after completing my program, so the wait was worth it in the end. Hang in there - I know it's incredibly frustrating but you're not alone in this mess!

I'm dealing with the same nightmare right now! Applied for the 599 program back in January and was just told by a rep that I'm looking at July or August for approval. That's 6-7 months of waiting! What really gets me is that they keep saying "we're working to reduce processing times" but nothing seems to be improving. I've already started my welding certification program because I couldn't wait any longer - had to make a choice between potentially losing benefits or losing more time in my career transition. The job search requirements while in class are brutal though. I'm doing 40+ hours a week of hands-on training and still have to document 3 work search activities per week. It's like they want to make it as difficult as possible for people who are actually trying to improve their skills and get back to work. Has anyone had success getting their local workforce development board involved? I'm wondering if there are other agencies that can put pressure on NYSDOL to speed this up or at least provide better communication about realistic timelines.

This thread has been incredibly helpful - I'm dealing with the exact same 599 program backlog nightmare right now! Applied in early March and was told it could be August before I even get reviewed. That's almost 6 months of waiting just to get permission to train while collecting benefits. I've been going back and forth on whether to start my nursing prerequisite program while waiting for approval. Reading everyone's experiences here, it sounds like starting now and dealing with the job search requirements is better than losing even more time. The retroactive approval aspect gives me some confidence. The part that really frustrates me is how broken the communication system is. I've tried calling dozens of times and can never get through to a real person. Definitely going to try that Claimyr service that @Amy Fleming mentioned - seems like it's the only way to actually reach NYSDOL these days. Thanks to everyone sharing their experiences and timelines. It helps to know we're not alone in this mess, even though the whole system clearly needs major reform. The fact that people are waiting 4-6 months just to get approval to improve their job skills is completely backwards!

I'm dealing with this exact same issue right now! Applied for the 599 program back in February and just got off the phone with NYSDOL who told me I'm looking at a September approval date. That's 7 months of waiting just to get permission to train while collecting benefits - it's absolutely insane! Like many others here, I've decided to start my data analytics bootcamp anyway. I can't afford to lose another 4-5 months of potential career progress just waiting for bureaucratic approval. The job search requirements while in full-time classes are definitely challenging, but I'm treating it as networking opportunities within the tech industry. What's really helped me is keeping a detailed spreadsheet of all my application documents, training enrollment info, and every attempt to contact NYSDOL. If there are any issues with the retroactive approval later, I want to have everything documented. Has anyone had experience with the 599 program for tech/IT training specifically? I'm curious if certain types of programs get processed faster than others, or if it's really just a first-come-first-served nightmare regardless of the field. The lack of transparency in this whole process is probably the most frustrating part!

I'm going through the exact same frustrating experience right now! Applied for the 599 program in late February and was told by a NYSDOL rep that I won't hear back until at least August - that's 6 months of waiting just to get approval to train while keeping my benefits! I've been on the fence about starting my HVAC certification program, but reading through everyone's experiences here has convinced me to just go ahead and enroll. The retroactive approval seems to be legitimate based on what @Rhett Bowman and others have shared, and I can't afford to lose another 3-4 months of potential career progress. The job search requirements while in training are going to be tough, but I'm planning to focus on networking with local contractors and attending trade shows - at least that way the search activities will be relevant to my new career path instead of just meaningless busy work. Thanks to everyone for sharing their timelines and experiences. It's frustrating that we're all dealing with this broken system, but it helps to know we're not alone. Definitely going to try that Claimyr service too - seems like it's the only way to actually reach a human at NYSDOL these days!

I'm dealing with this same 599 program nightmare! Applied in early March and just found out I'm looking at a September approval - that's over 6 months of waiting just to get permission to train while collecting benefits. It's absolutely ridiculous that New York's unemployment system is so backlogged. Like others here, I've decided to start my dental hygienist prerequisite program anyway rather than waste more time waiting. The retroactive approval stories from @Rhett Bowman and others give me confidence this is the right move. I'm already a month into classes and managing the job search requirements by networking with local dental offices and attending professional association meetings. The most frustrating part is the complete lack of communication from NYSDOL. I've called probably 50+ times over the past few months and never once reached a human being. Definitely going to try that Claimyr service @Amy Fleming mentioned - sounds like it's literally the only way to actually speak to someone there. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and timelines. It helps knowing we're all navigating this broken system together. For anyone else considering whether to start training while waiting - based on everything I've read here, just do it. Don't let NYSDOL's incompetence delay your career goals any longer!

I'm in the exact same situation and it's incredibly frustrating! Applied for the 599 program in early March and was just told it won't be processed until late August or early September. That's basically 6 months of waiting just to get approval to train while keeping benefits - it's completely backwards! Reading through everyone's experiences here, I've decided to go ahead and start my project management certification program next week rather than lose any more time. The retroactive approval stories from people like @Rhett Bowman give me confidence this is the right approach, even though juggling job search requirements with coursework won't be easy. What really bothers me is how this system essentially punishes people who are trying to improve their skills and get back into better jobs. We shouldn't have to choose between potentially losing benefits or wasting months of our lives waiting for bureaucratic approval. The whole 599 program was supposed to help people transition to better careers, but the massive delays are defeating the purpose! Has anyone tried reaching out to local media about this? It seems like the kind of story that might get some attention and pressure NYSDOL to actually address their staffing and processing issues. This backlog is affecting thousands of people who are genuinely trying to get back to work with better skills.

I'm going through this exact same nightmare right now! Applied for the 599 program back in February and just got told by a NYSDOL rep that I won't hear back until October - that's 8 months of waiting just to get approval to improve my job skills while collecting benefits! Like so many others here, I've decided to start my medical coding certification program anyway. Reading @Rhett Bowman's success story and seeing how many people have made the retroactive approval work gives me confidence this is the right move. I can't afford to waste another 6+ months of my life waiting for NYSDOL to get their act together. The job search requirements while in classes are definitely going to be challenging, but I'm planning to network with healthcare administrators and attend medical coding association meetings - at least that way my search activities will actually help my career transition instead of just being busy work. What really gets me is how this system is supposed to help unemployed people get better jobs, but the massive delays are actually preventing us from improving our situations! It's completely backwards. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences and timelines - it helps so much to know we're not dealing with this broken system alone. Definitely going to try that Claimyr service to finally reach an actual human at NYSDOL!

I'm in the exact same boat and it's so frustrating! Applied for the 599 program in January and was just told last week that I'm looking at an August approval date - that's 7+ months of waiting just to get permission to train while collecting benefits. It's absolutely ridiculous! I've been going back and forth on whether to start my nursing program while waiting, but reading through all these experiences has convinced me to just go ahead and enroll. The retroactive approval stories give me hope, and I can't afford to lose another 4-5 months of potential progress just waiting for NYSDOL to process paperwork. The most maddening part is that this program is supposed to HELP unemployed people get better jobs, but the massive delays are actually preventing us from improving our situations. How does waiting 6+ months to approve job training make any sense when people could already be halfway through their programs by then? Thanks everyone for sharing your timelines and strategies. It really helps to know we're not alone in dealing with this completely broken system. Definitely going to try that Claimyr service too - seems like it's literally the only way to reach an actual human at NYSDOL anymore!