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If I could give 10 stars I would If I could give 10 stars I would Such an amazing service so needed during the times when EDD almost never picks up Claimyr gets me on the phone with EDD every time without fail faster. A much needed service without Claimyr I would have never received the payment I needed to support me during my postpartum recovery. Thank you so much Claimyr!
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Really made a difference, save me time and energy from going to a local office for making the call.
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An incredibly helpful service! Got me connected to a CA EDD agent without major hassle (outside of EDD's agents dropping calls – which Claimyr has free protection for). If you need to file a new claim and can't do it online, pay the $ to Claimyr to get the process started. Absolutely worth it!
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Used this service a couple times now. Before I'd call 200 times in less than a weak frustrated as can be. But using claimyr with a couple hours of waiting i was on the line with an representative or on hold. Dropped a couple times but each reconnected not long after and was mission accomplished, thanks to Claimyr.
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I tried for weeks to get thru to EDD PFL program with no luck. I gave this a try thinking it may be a scam. OMG! It worked and They got thru within an hour and my claim is going to finally get paid!! I upgraded to the $60 call. Best $60 spent!
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Just wanted to say I feel for you! Getting fired is never easy even when it's not your fault. The good news is unemployment benefits exist exactly for situations like this. Don't let anyone make you feel bad for filing - you paid into this system through your paychecks.
I went through something similar when I was let go for "performance issues" from my customer service job. The key thing is to file immediately - don't wait because there's a waiting period anyway. When you fill out the application, be completely honest about the circumstances. The fact that you received a warning and were actively trying to improve actually works in your favor because it shows this was performance-related, not misconduct. NYS Department of Labor distinguishes between being unable to do the job (eligible for benefits) versus unwillingness or deliberate misconduct (disqualifying). Keep records of everything - your warning notice, any emails about performance, etc. The adjudication process can take a few weeks but stay patient and respond promptly to any requests for information.
This is really helpful advice! I'm curious though - when you say "keep records of everything," what specific documents should I be gathering? I have the written warning they gave me but I'm not sure what else might be important for the adjudication process. Also, how long did your case take to resolve?
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I just want to add that if you do end up filing, don't be discouraged if the online system seems overwhelming at first. I had to file after being at my job for only 8 weeks and was really stressed about navigating the NYS DOL website. What helped me was gathering all my employment documents beforehand - pay stubs from both your current and previous jobs, your Social Security card, and any documentation about the hour cuts. Also, if you're worried about the reduced hours situation, you might want to document when the cuts started and any communication from your employer about it. The system can be frustrating but your work history from your previous 2-year job should definitely help you qualify if you need to file.
That's really good advice about gathering all the documentation beforehand. I'm dealing with a similar situation where my hours got cut unexpectedly, and I wish I had started keeping better records from day one. It's also worth mentioning that if anyone has trouble getting through to NYS DOL by phone (which seems to be a common issue based on what I'm reading here), you can also try calling early in the morning or later in the day when call volumes might be lower. The peace of mind knowing that your previous work history counts toward eligibility really does help reduce the stress of these uncertain situations.
I was in almost the exact same situation as you last year - started a new job and within 2 months my employer started cutting hours dramatically before eventually letting me go. The good news is that NYS unemployment eligibility is based on your work history over the entire "base period" (usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters), not just your current job. Your 2 years at your previous job should definitely help you meet the monetary requirements. When I filed, I had to provide wage information from all my employers during that period. If your hours do get cut significantly, you may even qualify for partial unemployment while still employed. I'd recommend starting to document the hour reductions now - dates, original vs. reduced schedules, any written communication from your employer about the cuts. This documentation was really helpful when I filed my claim. The NYS DOL system can be frustrating to navigate, but don't let that discourage you from applying if you need to.
This is incredibly reassuring to hear from someone who went through the exact same situation! It's good to know that documenting everything from the start is so important. I've already started keeping track of when my hours were reduced and any emails from my supervisor about schedule changes. Your point about partial unemployment is something I hadn't really considered - that could actually be a lifeline if they keep cutting my hours instead of just letting me go outright. Thanks for sharing your experience, it really helps to know I'm not alone in dealing with this kind of workplace uncertainty.
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I'm going through this exact same situation right now! Filed my claim two weeks ago and just finished my waiting week. One thing I learned that might help others - make sure you're filing your weekly certification on the exact day you're supposed to. I almost missed it because I thought I could file anytime during the week, but apparently NYS Department of Labor has specific filing windows. Also, if you're worried about rent like I was, some utility companies and landlords will work with you if you show them your unemployment approval letter. It's not guaranteed money yet, but it shows you have income coming. The waiting is definitely stressful when bills are piling up, but hang in there!
@Keisha Thompson That s'such a great tip about showing the approval letter to landlords and utility companies! I never thought about that but it makes total sense - at least it shows you have something coming in. I m'definitely going to try that approach if my rent situation gets tight. Quick question though - do you know if the weekly certification filing window is the same for everyone, or does it depend on when you first filed? I want to make sure I don t'accidentally miss my window like you almost did.
@AaliyahAli The filing window depends on your last name! NYS Department of Labor assigns specific days based on the first letter of your last name. If your last name starts A-F you file Sunday, G-N file Monday, O-Z file Tuesday. But you can actually file on your assigned day OR any day after that during the same week - you just can't file early. So if you're supposed to file Monday but miss it, you can still file Tuesday or Wednesday of that same week. Just don't wait too long or you might miss the cutoff for that week entirely. You can check your exact schedule in your online account under the weekly certification section.
I'm currently dealing with the waiting week situation too and wanted to share what I've learned from my experience. Filed my claim on a Tuesday and was initially confused about when the waiting week actually starts, but after calling NYS Department of Labor (took forever to get through), I found out that your benefit year and waiting week both start on the Sunday of the week you file your claim, regardless of what day you actually submitted it. So even though I filed on Tuesday, my waiting week ran from the previous Sunday through Saturday. The key thing is to keep filing those weekly certifications even during the waiting week - I know it feels pointless since you're not getting paid, but skipping it will definitely mess up your claim timeline. Also, if anyone is struggling financially during this period like the original poster mentioned, check if your local social services office has emergency assistance programs. Some counties in NY offer one-time emergency rent assistance while you're waiting for unemployment benefits to kick in. It's not much but every little bit helps when you're in a tight spot.
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I'm in the exact same situation and it's driving me crazy! Applied in December, now it's March and still showing "pending" with absolutely no updates. I've called probably 30+ times at different hours - 7:59am, lunch time, late afternoon - and never once gotten past that stupid "high call volume" recording. What really gets me is that I know people who applied AFTER me and already got their determinations (both approvals and denials). So it's not like they're processing claims in order - it seems completely random which ones get looked at. I'm starting to think @Carmella Fromis is right about this being intentional. They're probably hoping we'll all just give up and find jobs so they don't have to pay out benefits. But like, I DID find a job! I just want to know if I'm entitled to the benefits for those months I was unemployed. Is that too much to ask?? Definitely going to look into that Claimyr thing people keep mentioning. At this point I don't even care about the cost - my time and mental health are worth more than whatever they charge. This whole system is absolutely broken.
I feel you on this! I'm at 4 months now and ready to lose my mind. The randomness is what kills me too - like why are some people getting answers in weeks while we're all stuck in limbo? I actually just tried calling my state assembly member yesterday after seeing it mentioned here multiple times. Their office said they'd "look into it" but honestly not holding my breath. Probably going to bite the bullet and try one of those callback services next week if I don't hear anything. This whole thing has me questioning why we even pay into unemployment insurance if they make it impossible to actually use it when you need it 😤
I'm so sorry you're going through this - the exact same thing happened to me last year and it's absolutely maddening! I applied in September and didn't hear ANYTHING until February. Five months of just sitting in "pending" status while I'm trying to figure out how to pay rent and buy groceries. What finally worked for me was a combination approach: I contacted my state senator's office (not just assembly member) AND used that Claimyr service people keep mentioning. The senator's office actually has a dedicated unemployment liaison who can escalate cases, and they were way more helpful than my assembly member's office. But honestly, the Claimyr thing is what actually got me connected to a live agent who resolved everything in one 15-minute call. I know it sucks having to pay for something that should be free, but I calculated that I was losing way more money every day my claim sat there than what the service cost. Plus I got all my back pay once it was approved, so it was totally worth it. Don't give up - you deserve answers and if you're eligible, you deserve those benefits! The system is broken but there are ways around it. Hang in there! 💪
Thanks for sharing your experience @Romeo Barrett! It's helpful to know the difference between contacting a state senator vs assembly member - I'll definitely try the senator route first. Five months of waiting is insane but glad you finally got it resolved! I'm curious about the back pay situation - did you get paid for all those months you were stuck in pending status? That's honestly the only thing keeping me sane right now, knowing that if I do get approved I should get everything retroactively. The financial stress of not knowing is killing me but hearing success stories like yours gives me hope 🙏
James Johnson
any update? did u get thru?
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Edison Estevez
•YES! I used that Claimyr service and finally got through yesterday! The agent said it was definitely a system error - I had no break in my claim. She fixed it on the spot and said I should receive all my back payments within 3 business days. Such a relief!
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JaylinCharles
Wow, I'm so glad to see this thread because I'm dealing with the exact same nightmare right now! My claim has been stuck for 3 weeks with a "break in claim" error even though I've certified every single week without fail. The phone system is absolutely brutal - I've called hundreds of times and either get a busy signal or get disconnected after waiting on hold for hours. It's incredibly frustrating when you're depending on these benefits to survive. Reading through everyone's experiences here, it sounds like this is a widespread glitch with their new system. I'm definitely going to try that Claimyr service that several people mentioned - at this point I'm willing to try anything to get through to an actual human being who can fix this mess!
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Diego Flores
•Welcome to the club unfortunately! I just went through this exact same nightmare and can tell you that Claimyr really does work - I was skeptical at first but it got me through to an agent in less than a day after weeks of failed attempts on my own. The agent confirmed it's a widespread glitch affecting tons of people with the partial unemployment rollout. Once they fix it, you should get all your back payments. Hang in there, you're not alone in this mess!
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