Ugh, I'm going through the EXACT same thing right now! Got my monetary determination letter 18 days ago showing I'm approved for $467/week but my balance is still stuck at $0. I've called 7 times and keep getting the same generic "it's processing, just keep certifying weekly" response. After reading all these comments, I'm realizing I've been way too passive about this - clearly there are actual system glitches that need to be manually fixed, not just "processing delays" like they keep telling us. Going to call tomorrow and specifically ask them to check for technical errors and processing flags instead of just accepting their script responses. It's absolutely insane that we have to become IT troubleshooters just to get benefits we're legally entitled to, but at least now I know there's hope once you get past the lazy reps! Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and the specific language to use - this thread is a lifesaver! 🙏

Just want to add my experience to this thread since I see so many people dealing with the same nightmare! I went through this exact situation about 6 weeks ago - got my monetary determination letter showing $434/week but my balance stayed at $0 for over 3 weeks. The breakthrough came when I stopped being polite and started being persistent. I called and specifically said "I need you to check for system errors, processing flags, or technical glitches that are preventing my approved claim from updating - not just the basic status." The rep found that my claim had gotten stuck in some kind of verification loop even though I had already been approved. Once they manually cleared it, I got all my backpay within 48 hours. Don't let them brush you off with "just wait" - there are real technical issues that need manual intervention. Keep detailed notes of every call and don't give up! The money IS there once they fix whatever is blocking it.

the whole system is messed up they should just make it simple but they want people to give up and not get benefits thats why they make it so complicated

Glad to hear you got through and got some answers! That 1.5 hour wait is pretty typical unfortunately. Just wanted to add for anyone else reading this - when you file your new claim, make sure you have all your employer information from the past 18 months ready, not just your most recent job. The system looks at your entire base period to calculate your new benefit amount. Also, if your new claim gets approved for a lower weekly amount than your previous claim, you might be eligible to stay on your old claim through something called a "transitional claim" - definitely ask about that when you call. Hope your payment comes through soon!

There's a special place in hell for whoever designed the ny unemployment system. Watching my savings drain away while waiting for them to verify I'm not committing fraud (which THEY should know since THEY have all my employment records) is just *chef's kiss* the perfect American experience.

This whole thread is giving me flashbacks to my own nightmare with NY unemployment. I went through almost the exact same thing - fraud flag for 6 weeks, no payments, couldn't get through on the phone. What finally worked for me was a combination of things: I used one of those callback services (similar to what others mentioned), AND I filed a complaint with the NY State Attorney General's office online. Within 3 days of filing that complaint, someone from DOL called me directly and my account was cleared. I think the AG complaint creates a paper trail they can't ignore. Also, document EVERYTHING - every call, every person you speak to, reference numbers, dates. If this drags on much longer, consider filing for emergency assistance through your county social services. They have programs specifically for people waiting on unemployment. Hang in there - the system is broken but you WILL get your money eventually.

I work for a company that handles unemployment claim responses for several large retailers, and I can give you some insight into how this process typically works. Walmart, like most major retailers, does contest the majority of unemployment claims - probably around 75-80% of them - especially those involving attendance or policy violations. It's largely automated and driven by their HR system flagging certain termination codes. However, the NYS Department of Labor adjudicators are trained to look at the actual circumstances, not just the employer's initial response. Car trouble with proper documentation is considered a legitimate reason for absences beyond your control. The 2-week timeframe you're experiencing is completely normal for contested claims - I've seen them take anywhere from 2-6 weeks depending on the complexity and documentation involved. Make sure you upload all your repair receipts, towing bills, and any other evidence through your online portal. Even photos of your broken-down vehicle or text messages about the car trouble can help establish the timeline. Don't be discouraged by Walmart's automatic pushback - I've seen plenty of cases where claimants won even when large employers contested, especially when they had solid proof their absences were due to unavoidable circumstances.

I just went through this exact situation with Walmart about 3 months ago - also terminated for attendance issues and they definitely contested my unemployment claim. The adjudication process was incredibly stressful and took almost 4 weeks, but I ended up winning my case because I had solid documentation showing my absences were due to circumstances beyond my control (medical issues in my case). From what I learned during the process, Walmart has an automated system that contests most unemployment claims, especially attendance-related terminations. They do this to keep their unemployment insurance costs down - it's just standard business practice for them. However, the NYS Department of Labor adjudicators are actually pretty fair when you provide proper evidence. Since your absences were due to legitimate car trouble, you're in a good position if you have documentation. Make sure to upload every repair receipt, towing bill, and even photos of your broken-down car through your online portal. I'd also recommend getting a brief written statement from your mechanic if possible, explaining that the car problems were unexpected mechanical failures. The 2-week wait is still completely normal for contested claims, though I know how nerve-wracking it is when you need those benefits. Don't lose hope - Walmart may contest automatically, but that doesn't mean they win. Many people do successfully get benefits even when big retailers fight the claim, especially with proper documentation of unavoidable circumstances.

I went through something similar a couple years ago - owed about $1,500 in overpayment. The key thing is to act quickly since you still have time to appeal. Gather whatever documentation you have - even partial records are better than nothing. Bank deposits, PayPal records, email confirmations from clients, anything that shows when you actually received payment vs when you worked. The appeals process takes a while but it's worth it if you think there's an error. In my case, I was able to prove the timing was different than what they calculated and got the overpayment reduced by about 40%. Even if you can't eliminate it completely, you might be able to reduce the amount owed.

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - got hit with an overpayment notice for $3,200. From what I've learned, the most important thing is to not ignore it. Even if you end up owing the money, they're much more willing to work with you on payment plans if you're proactive about contacting them. I'd definitely recommend appealing if you think there's any chance the calculation is wrong. The worst case is they uphold the decision, but at least you'll have tried. And yes, they can garnish wages and take tax refunds, but they usually give you a chance to set up a payment plan first if you reach out to them.