been there! you should definitely try to contact child support enforcement directly to work out a payment plan before they start garnishing. sometimes they'll reduce the amount if you can show financial hardship

I went through this exact situation last year. The garnishment can start pretty quickly once they have your employment info, and NYS DOL automatically complies with child support orders. My advice: call the child support collection unit ASAP (before they start garnishing) and ask about setting up a voluntary payment plan. If you can show you're actively job searching and demonstrate hardship, they might agree to a lower monthly amount instead of taking 50-60% of your unemployment. Also keep detailed records of your job search activities - it can help your case. The key is being proactive rather than waiting for them to start taking the money.

Just want to add - make sure your base period wages are calculated correctly. Sometimes there can be issues if your employer didn't report wages properly before you were incarcerated. You might need to provide pay stubs or other documentation to verify your work history. Also be prepared that your claim might go into adjudication while they review your case, which can add several weeks to the process.

I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago after being released. The process was definitely nerve-wracking but it worked out. A few things that helped me: First, gather all your employment documents from before incarceration - W2s, pay stubs, anything that proves your work history. Second, when you file online, there's a section where you can explain gaps in employment - be honest but brief. Third, start documenting your job search immediately with dates, company names, and how you applied. I kept a simple spreadsheet that saved me when they asked for proof later. The waiting period was tough (about 4 weeks for me) but I did get approved. Don't let the fear stop you from applying - you earned those benefits through your previous work. Good luck!

I had the exact same issue when I first applied! The PIN letter took almost 2 weeks to arrive for me. In the meantime, I recommend calling early in the morning (like 8 AM sharp) - that's when I had the best luck getting through to someone. Also, if you're really worried about missing your certification window, you can visit a local Department of Labor office in person. They can help you with the PIN setup on the spot and you won't have to wait for the mail. Just bring your ID and any documentation from your unemployment claim. The staff there were actually pretty helpful when I went.

I just went through this exact same process a few weeks ago! Here's what worked for me: First, check your spam/junk mail folder - my PIN letter ended up there for some reason. If it's really not there after 10 business days, call the Tele-Cert line at 888-581-5812 but try calling right at 8:00 AM when they open - I got through on the second ring that way. They can actually give you your PIN over the phone once they verify your identity with your SSN and claim details. Also, don't panic about missing your certification deadline - you have a grace period and can usually backdate as long as you're actively working to resolve the issue. The whole PIN system is honestly poorly explained on their website, so you're definitely not alone in being confused about it!

I'm so sick of NY unemployment's terrible tech. How can a state with this much tax revenue have such a pathetic system? We deserve better than this garbage. Other states have actual functioning websites and clear communication!

I'm dealing with the exact same issue right now! Certified on Sunday, usually get paid by Tuesday/Wednesday, and nothing has shown up yet. My benefit year is good until August so that's definitely not it. Really frustrating because I have bills due and was counting on that payment. Has anyone heard if there's a system-wide delay this week or if we should be worried about our individual accounts? I'm hoping it's just a processing delay and not something that requires me to spend hours trying to get through on the phone.

Try calling the alternate number: 1-888-209-8124. Their main line is always jammed but sometimes this one has shorter wait times.

I had the exact same issue last week! What finally worked for me was switching to a different internet connection entirely - I went to a coffee shop and used their wifi. Apparently some ISPs have issues with the NY unemployment site's security certificates. Also make sure you're not using any browser extensions that might interfere. If that doesn't work, definitely document everything with screenshots showing the error messages and timestamps - that way you have proof you tried to meet the deadline. The system is absolutely terrible but don't let it stress you out too much, they can't penalize you for their technical problems if you can show you made good faith efforts to comply.