This is super helpful info! I've been trying to get through for over a month about a certification issue that's holding up my payments. The timing makes total sense - I always assumed calling right when they opened would be best, but I never thought about them having meetings and training in the mornings. Definitely going to try that 11:45am-1:30pm window tomorrow. It's so frustrating that we have to play these games just to reach someone about our own benefits, but I really appreciate you sharing what that agent told you. Hopefully this helps more people get the assistance they desperately need!

This is gold! I've been calling at random times for weeks with no luck. The insight about morning meetings and training makes perfect sense - no wonder I kept getting busy signals when calling at 8am. I'm going to try that 3:30-5:45pm window since I can usually step away from work then. Really appreciate you sharing this insider knowledge. It's sad that we need "hacks" just to access basic services we're entitled to, but at least now I have a better strategy than just randomly dialing all day. Fingers crossed this works for others too!

I'm seeing a lot of helpful advice here, but wanted to add one more important point - when you call NYS Department of Labor to self-report, make sure you ask them to put a note in your file that you voluntarily disclosed this information. This creates a paper trail that shows your good faith effort to correct the mistake. Also, if you're having trouble getting through on the phone (which is unfortunately common), you might want to try calling right when they open at 8 AM or during lunch hours when call volume is sometimes lower. I had success reaching them around 12:30 PM when I needed to make corrections to my claim last year. The wait was still about 45 minutes, but at least I got through! Don't give up if you can't reach them immediately - this is definitely worth the effort to resolve properly.

I've been following this thread closely as someone who went through a similar situation recently, and I want to emphasize something that hasn't been mentioned yet - when you call NYS Department of Labor, be prepared that they might temporarily suspend your benefits while they investigate and process the correction. This happened to me when I self-reported unreported work from 4 weeks prior. The suspension lasted about 3 weeks while they reviewed everything, calculated the overpayment, and updated my claim. It was stressful not receiving benefits during that time, but once everything was resolved, my benefits resumed and I just had to set up a repayment plan for the overpayment amount. The agent explained this is standard procedure to prevent further overpayments while they sort things out. Just wanted to give you a heads up so you're not caught off guard if this happens - it doesn't mean you're in more trouble, it's just part of their process for correcting claims. Having some emergency funds set aside if possible might help during that gap period.

Wow, what a nightmare with their notification system! I'm dealing with something similar right now - got an "offset" notice but no explanation. Quick question for everyone: has anyone tried disputing an offset when the employer dates were wrong? I'm wondering if it's worth the hassle to appeal or if they usually just stick with their original decision. Also, does anyone know if there's a way to get those missing notifications resent? Seems like a lot of us aren't getting proper notice before they start taking money.

Just wanted to add my experience for anyone else dealing with this - I had a similar "offset" situation last year where they took money without proper notification. What really helped me was keeping detailed records of everything: screenshots of my payment history showing the offset, documentation that I never received notices in my online inbox or mail, and any communication with employers about work dates. When I finally got through to speak with someone, having all this organized made the conversation much more productive. They were able to see exactly when the notices were supposedly sent versus when I actually received them (or didn't). Also, don't give up on calling - I know it's frustrating, but sometimes you get lucky and get through on the first try. The early morning hours (right when they open) and late afternoon seemed to work better for me.

I'm in a very similar situation - filed my unemployment claim with NYS Department of Labor 8 days ago and also stuck in pending status with no updates. Like you, I've been checking my.ny.gov multiple times a day hoping to see some progress, but nothing changes. The phone system has been completely useless for me too - I've tried calling at least 6 times and either can't get through at all or get disconnected after waiting on hold. What's really stressing me out is not knowing if this is normal processing time or if there's some issue with my application that I should be addressing. I was laid off due to company downsizing, so it should be straightforward, but the uncertainty is killing me. Reading through all these responses is actually really reassuring though - it sounds like 2-3 weeks is pretty typical even for simple cases, and most people do eventually get approved. I've been keeping up with my weekly certifications just in case, and I'm going to try calling right at 8 AM tomorrow based on the advice here. Hang in there - we're definitely not alone in this frustrating waiting game!

I'm going through this exact same situation! Filed my claim about 8 days ago after a layoff and still showing pending status. The waiting is absolutely nerve-wracking, especially when you're trying to plan your finances around when benefits might start coming in. I've been religiously doing my weekly certifications based on all the advice here, even though it feels weird certifying for weeks when you don't even know if you're approved yet. One thing that's helped me cope with the uncertainty is creating a daily routine - I check my account once in the morning with my coffee instead of obsessively refreshing throughout the day. The phone system has been a complete nightmare for me too - I think I've tried calling 5 times and either can't get in the queue or get disconnected after hours of waiting. Reading everyone's experiences here is really comforting though - it sounds like 2-3 weeks is pretty standard even for straightforward layoffs, and the pending status doesn't mean anything is wrong. We just have to trust the process even though it's incredibly stressful when you need those benefits!

I went through a similar appeal process last year and wanted to share what worked for me. Beyond the HR complaints and documentation that others mentioned, also gather any evidence of how the hostile environment affected your work performance or health - doctor visits, therapy sessions, etc. The NYS Department of Labor examiner in my case was particularly interested in proof that I made reasonable attempts to continue working despite the conditions. Also, when you write your appeal statement, be very specific about dates, incidents, and how each violation created an impossible work situation. The more detailed timeline you can provide, the better your chances. Good luck with your appeal!

I work as a paralegal at an employment law firm and see a lot of these hostile work environment cases. A few additional tips for your appeal: 1) Include any witnesses who can corroborate your complaints - coworkers who saw the behavior or who you confided in at the time. Their statements can be crucial. 2) If you have any text messages, emails, or social media posts from around the time you quit that show your distress about the work situation, include those too. 3) Make sure to emphasize in your appeal letter that you explored other options before quitting (like the HR complaints you filed) and only left as a last resort. The NYS Department of Labor needs to see that a reasonable person in your situation would have felt compelled to quit. The fact that you have HR complaints and their non-responses is actually really strong evidence - it shows you tried to resolve things through proper channels first.