I just want to echo what others have said about how confusing this system is! I've been on NY unemployment for about 3 months now and honestly had no clue what the effective days meant until reading this thread. Mine is showing 48 which makes sense now (12 weeks x 4 = 48 days). But like everyone else, I was completely in the dark about whether a higher number was good or bad. It's really frustrating that NYSDOL doesn't provide any clear explanations on their website - you literally have to stumble upon community discussions like this to understand your own benefits! Thank you to everyone who shared their knowledge here, especially the unemployment counselor. This should be required reading for anyone starting a claim in NY!

I'm brand new to this community and to NY unemployment - just filed my first claim yesterday! Reading through this entire discussion has been both incredibly helpful and pretty concerning. I had no idea what any of these numbers meant and was already getting anxious seeing "effective days: 0" on my account, wondering if that meant something was wrong. Now I understand it's just because I haven't claimed any weeks yet. It's honestly ridiculous that NYSDOL doesn't explain any of this basic stuff anywhere on their website. How are people supposed to navigate this system without stumbling onto helpful forums like this? Thank you all for sharing your experiences and especially to the unemployment counselor for the clear explanations - this thread should be pinned for all newcomers!

I just went through this exact same headache last month! What finally worked for me was a combination of approaches. First, I tried the password reset with my old number like @61d990d64ed3 suggested, but that didn't work since I no longer had access to that phone. Then I found out about the "Account Recovery" option that @b9ced393b56c mentioned - that's KEY! It's separate from the regular password reset and lets you verify with your SSN and security questions instead of needing the old phone number. If that doesn't work, definitely try the technical support line at 518-457-9000 that @1dc1fac72b82 shared - press 3 then 2 for account access issues. Be very specific that it's a phone number change problem. I also had success with the online contact form as a backup plan. The most important thing is DON'T PANIC! I know it feels like you're going to miss your certification, but they can backdate it once you get access restored. I was stressed for nothing. You've got multiple good options here - one of them will definitely work! Keep us posted on what ends up working for you! 🙌

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this! I went through something similar when I moved and had to change my number mid-claim. Just wanted to add one more option that saved me: if you still have access to your old phone number temporarily (like if you haven't fully canceled service yet or can borrow the phone from whoever has that number now), you might be able to quickly log in, update your contact info, and then log back out. Also, I noticed some people mentioned the technical support line - that's definitely your best bet if the self-service options don't work. One tip: when you call 518-457-9000, have your SSN, old phone number, and current address ready before you even dial. They'll ask for all of that to verify your identity. Don't stress too much about the timing either - like others have said, they can backdate your certification once you get back in. The system is frustrating but they do understand that technical issues happen. You've got this! 💪

This exact thing happen to me and there was a ERROR in there system. When I finally got through to an agent (used claimyr.com) they fixed it on the spot. Turns out my employer reported my wages but they weren't showing up right in the system. Don't give up!!

Have you tried requesting your wage and benefit statement directly from the unemployment office? Sometimes there are discrepancies between what your employer reported and what shows up in their system. I had a similar issue where my wages weren't properly credited to the right quarters, and it took getting an actual person on the phone to manually review and correct it. Also, make sure they're considering ALL your employment - if you had multiple jobs or worked in different states, sometimes those wages don't get automatically included. The processing status probably means they're still reviewing your case, so don't lose hope yet!

yeah this is pretty normal, just wait it out and keep filing your weekly claims

I'm dealing with the exact same thing right now! My claim just switched to hold status yesterday with no explanation. I've been calling the NYS Department of Labor phone line but can't get through - just busy signals all morning. It's so stressful not knowing what's causing the hold or how long it might take to resolve. I'm keeping track of all my job search activities just in case they need documentation, but like you said, there's no message telling me what they actually need. Hopefully it's just a routine review like some others mentioned and gets cleared up quickly.

I'm dealing with the same login issues right now! I've tried everything - different browsers, clearing cache, typing password manually instead of autofill. The password reset emails aren't coming through either, even checked spam. This is so frustrating when you're trying to file your weekly claim on time. Has anyone tried calling during off-peak hours? Maybe early morning or late evening when fewer people are calling the NYS Department of Labor tech support line?

I had a similar issue a couple months back and what finally worked for me was going to the NYS Department of Labor office in person. I know it's a hassle, but they were able to reset my account on the spot and I was back up and running the same day. If you have a local office nearby, it might be worth the trip instead of dealing with the phone lines. They can also help you file your weekly claim right there if you're running close to the deadline. Just bring your ID and any unemployment paperwork you have.