NY unemployment back-payments missing after Feb 2025 system update - need help!

The February system update is causing tons of problems for people. They're essentially reviewing ALL claims that were active during the transition, even ones that were already approved. It's ridiculous. I had the same issue - no payments for 3 weeks after the update. You need to specifically request a 'payment trace' when you call. Don't just ask about your claim status. The regular reps can't help with post-update payment issues, you need someone from the payment processing department.

i got the same problem lol. the update totally screwed everything up. my friend said they should back pay u eventually but who knows when?? im already late on car payment smh

This February update issue is affecting thousands of claimants. I work with a community aid group, and we're seeing this exact situation daily. Here's what's happening: NYSDOL's new fraud detection system is flagging previously approved claims for additional verification. Unfortunately, they're severely understaffed to handle the volume. You need to: 1. Keep certifying weekly without fail 2. When calling, use option 2, then 1, then 4 in the phone tree (gets you to payment issues) 3. Try calling precisely at 8:00 AM when lines open or after 4:30 PM when volume decreases 4. Request a payment trace AND ask them to check if your claim is in the "verification queue" 5. If they confirm you're in that queue, ask for an estimated timeframe The good news is that NYSDOL is legally obligated to pay all back benefits once verified. The bad news is the wait times are extraordinary right now.

The same exact thing happened to me!!! I'm FOUR WEEKS without payment now and absolutely FURIOUS. The system is BROKEN. I've called literally hundreds of times and either get disconnected or told to call back later. This is UNACCEPTABLE!!!! People have bills to pay!!! How can they just stop payments without any warning or explanation?!?!?!

After dealing with this exact same problem for nearly 3 weeks, I finally found a solution that worked. I used Claimyr to get through to an actual agent (https://claimyr.com). I was super skeptical at first but they actually connected me to a NYSDOL rep in about 15 minutes after I'd been trying for days. The agent was able to see that my claim was stuck in the post-update verification queue and pushed it through manually. Got all my back payments 2 days later. You can see how it works here: https://youtu.be/Rdqa1gKtxuE - honestly saved my sanity.

not to change the subject but has anyone else noticed that the certification questions changed slightly after the update? i almost answered one wrong because i didn't read carefully enough. might be worth double checking those too

my cousin works for a different state agency and she said the whole NY gov computer system is a mess right now not just unemployment

For what it's worth, I was in your exact situation (6 weeks of no payments after the February update) and finally got through last week. The agent told me there was literally nothing wrong with my claim - it was just stuck in this massive backlog of post-update verifications. Once she manually released it, I got all back payments within 48 hours. Keep trying to get through to a human - that's really the only solution right now. The online system won't resolve this automatically in most cases.

I just checked the NYSDOL Twitter account and they actually posted an update about this yesterday. They acknowledged the payment delays related to the system update and claimed they're adding staff to address the backlog. They estimate it may take until mid-April to process all the affected claims. Not great news if you need money now, but at least they're finally admitting there's a widespread problem.

Just want to add one more important tip: document EVERYTHING. Note the date and time of every call attempt, take screenshots of your payment history and certification confirmations. If there's a significant delay in receiving your entitled benefits, you may be eligible for additional compensation due to the delay itself, but only if you can prove you've been actively trying to resolve the issue. Also, make sure you're checking both your email and physical mail daily - some people are getting verification requests that require response within a short timeframe.

Has anyone tried going to the actual unemployment office in person? I'm wondering if that might be faster than dealing with the phone nightmare.

UPDATE: I finally got through to someone! Used the Claimyr service that someone mentioned above and got connected to an agent in about 20 minutes. The rep confirmed exactly what you all said - my claim got caught in their post-update verification process. She manually reviewed my claim, verified my identity, and released all my payments! Should have the money in 2-3 business days. THANK YOU everyone for all the advice and support here. This community is amazing.

So glad to see this community helping each other out! I just wanted to add that if you're still having trouble getting through by phone, you might also try contacting your local assembly member or state senator's office. They often have direct lines to DOL staff for constituent services. I had to do this last year for a different issue and their office was able to escalate my case within a week. Also, if you're facing immediate financial hardship (like potential eviction or utility shutoff), mention that specifically when you do get through - they sometimes have expedited processing for emergency situations. Keep your head up everyone, this system mess won't last forever!