good luck! most ppl who get fired still qualify unless they did something really bad

I went through something similar when I was fired for "insubordination" after questioning a safety violation at my workplace. What really helped my case was documenting everything - I wrote down dates, times, and details of conversations with my supervisor. When I filed my unemployment claim, I was completely honest about the circumstances and provided all the documentation I had. NYS DOL approved my benefits because they determined it wasn't misconduct. My advice is to file immediately and don't let your employer's version of events discourage you from applying. The worst they can do is say no, but you might be surprised. Also keep records of your job search efforts from day one since you'll need to report that weekly.

Just checking back - did you ever get through to them? I'm curious if any of these suggestions worked for you.

Congrats! Always nice to hear when someone actually gets through the system successfully lol. Fingers crossed your payment comes through quickly!

I'm in almost the exact same situation - my benefits are scheduled to end in 2 weeks and I've been losing sleep over it! This thread has been a complete lifesaver. I had no idea about the 599 Training Program or that you should continue certifying after benefits expire. I'm definitely going to try the Claimyr service to get through to an agent ASAP. The fact that so many people here have had success with it gives me confidence it's worth the cost. I've been calling the regular line for days with no luck. One question for those who've gone through the 599 Training Program - how flexible are the training schedules? I'm still actively job hunting and interviewing, so I need something that won't conflict with potential job opportunities. Also, are there any programs that can be completed entirely online? Thanks to everyone for sharing such detailed experiences. This community has provided more useful information than weeks of trying to navigate the NYSDOL website on my own!

I just went through this same panic about 6 weeks ago when my benefits were about to expire! After reading through this thread, I see a lot of great advice that matches what I learned through my own experience. A few additional tips that helped me: When you do get through to an agent (whether through Claimyr or calling at 8am), ask them to email you a summary of everything you discussed. I did this and it was super helpful to have everything in writing for reference later. Also, if you're considering the 599 Training Program, start looking at the approved provider list NOW - some of the most popular programs have waiting lists. One thing I didn't see mentioned is that if you have any unused vacation pay or severance that you haven't reported yet, make sure to discuss the timing with the agent. Sometimes there are ways to structure when you report that income to maximize your benefit period. The training programs are generally very flexible - most of the online certifications let you work at your own pace, so you can definitely continue job hunting while enrolled. I'm doing a cybersecurity certificate through CompTIA and it's been perfect for balancing with interviews. Hang in there - the system is confusing but there really are options available if you know how to ask for them!

I'm dealing with this exact same situation right now - 5 weeks of "pending" status with zero communication from NYS DOL. The phone system is completely broken and I've been documenting everything like others suggested. Reading through all these responses has given me hope that there are actual paths forward beyond just waiting helplessly. I'm going to start with contacting my assembly member's office tomorrow while simultaneously filing complaints with the Bureau of Customer Relations and State Comptroller. The advice about including financial hardship documentation is crucial - I have bank statements showing late fees and overdraft charges that I'll definitely include. It's infuriating that we have to become expert advocates just to access benefits we're entitled to, but I'm grateful for everyone sharing what actually worked for them. This community has provided more useful information in one thread than I've gotten from weeks of trying to navigate the official channels. I'll update on my progress in case it helps others in similar situations.

I'm currently in week 9 of waiting for my claim to be processed and this thread has been a lifesaver - I had no idea there were so many different complaint channels available. Like many others here, I've experienced the same pattern of rejected weekly claims, impossible-to-reach phone lines, and zero communication from DOL. I've been keeping notes but will now start that detailed spreadsheet approach someone mentioned and gather my bank statements showing the financial impact. The multi-channel strategy seems to be the consensus here, so I'm planning to contact my state senator's office, file with the Bureau of Customer Relations, and reach out to the Inspector General's office all this week. It's both maddening and oddly comforting to see I'm not alone in this - the systematic nature of these problems suggests this isn't just individual incompetence but a broken system that needs serious reform. Thanks to everyone who shared their successful strategies and timelines. I'll definitely update on any progress since these real success stories seem to be what's keeping people motivated to keep fighting through this bureaucratic nightmare.

I'm in a similar situation but haven't filed yet because I wasn't sure if the overpayment would block me. This thread is super helpful! One thing I'm wondering about - if they take 25-30% from each payment, does that percentage stay the same until the overpayment is paid off, or do they adjust it based on how much you still owe? Also, has anyone had luck setting up a separate repayment plan so they don't have to take as much from your weekly benefits?

I'm dealing with a similar overpayment situation right now - about $1,900 from 2022 that I'm still paying back through weekly deductions. Just wanted to add that when you do file your new claim, make sure to report ANY income accurately, even small amounts from odd jobs or gig work. That's how a lot of these overpayments happen - people forget to report something or don't realize certain income counts. The good news is that once you're in the system paying back the overpayment, they usually don't hit you with penalties or interest as long as you keep filing honestly. Also, keep copies of everything - your weekly certifications, any correspondence from DOL, etc. It helps if there are ever questions later.