I'm dealing with the exact same situation - 7 weeks in adjudication and feeling completely helpless. The financial stress is overwhelming when you're doing everything right but the system just fails you. I've tried calling every day, sometimes multiple times, and either get disconnected or told they can't provide any updates. What's really frustrating is that there's no transparency about what's actually causing the delay or even a realistic timeline for resolution. I've been documenting everything like others suggested, but it feels like we're all just stuck waiting while bills pile up. Has anyone had success with escalating through supervisors when you do get through to someone?

I'm really sorry you're going through this - the 8 week wait is absolutely unacceptable, especially when you're facing eviction. While suing NYS DOL is extremely difficult (they have sovereign immunity protections), there are some immediate steps that might help. First, definitely contact your state senator and assembly member's offices - their constituent services can sometimes get DOL to respond faster. Second, try reaching out to legal aid organizations in your area - they often know specific advocacy tactics for unemployment delays. Third, consider filing a complaint with the New York State Comptroller's office about the processing delays. Document everything with timestamps and reference numbers. The system is broken, but most people do eventually get their benefits with back pay. Don't give up certifying weekly even while waiting - you'll lose those weeks if you stop. Hang in there!

I'm so grateful I found this thread! I've been dealing with the same nightmare for 5 weeks now - my NY unemployment stopped coming in early February and my account just says "claim under review" with absolutely zero explanation. I've probably called the main line 100+ times and either get busy signals or that new automated message that basically tells you to use the website (which is equally useless). Reading through everyone's experiences here has been both heartbreaking and reassuring - heartbreaking because so many people are struggling with the same broken system, but reassuring because it confirms this isn't just my individual case but a massive systemic failure, especially for February 2025 claims. The technical support line tip (888-209-8124, press 1 then 6) combined with the 8:00 AM sharp timing strategy sounds like pure gold. Lucas's success story gives me real hope! I'm definitely setting my alarm for 7:55 AM tomorrow to try this approach. It's absolutely insane that we have to become amateur sleuths just to access benefits we've paid into our whole working lives, but this community has provided more actionable solutions than NYSDOL has in weeks. If the phone trick doesn't work, I'm also going to look into Claimyr and contact my assembly rep. Thank you all for sharing your strategies and keeping each other's spirits up through this mess - I'll definitely update with any progress!

I'm so sorry everyone is going through this! I just discovered this community while desperately searching for help with my own NYSDOL nightmare. I've been stuck for 7 weeks with benefits that just stopped coming in February - my account shows "eligibility determination pending" with zero explanation or communication. It's absolutely maddening! Reading through all these experiences has been both devastating and oddly comforting - devastating to see how many people are trapped in this broken system, but comforting to know I'm not going crazy or doing something wrong. The fact that so many February 2025 claims are affected really does point to that system update issue Andre mentioned. I'm definitely going to try that technical support line (888-209-8124, press 1 then 6) at exactly 8:00 AM tomorrow based on Amelia's timing advice and Lucas's success story. If that doesn't work, I'll look into Claimyr and contact my assembly rep. It's completely unacceptable that we have to crowdsource solutions just to access benefits we've earned, but this thread has given me more hope and actionable strategies than weeks of trying to navigate this alone. Thank you all for sharing your experiences and tips - this community is honestly more helpful than the actual unemployment office. I'll report back with any updates, and please everyone keep sharing what works. We're all in this together!

I'm dealing with a similar situation at my company right now - they just announced a 25% pay cut for everyone in our department. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly helpful, especially knowing that NYS Department of Labor does recognize substantial pay cuts as good cause for quitting. I've been with my company for 3 years and this would drop my salary from $48,000 to $36,000, which would make it impossible for me to cover my rent and basic expenses. I'm planning to start documenting everything immediately like you all suggested - the original announcement, my current pay stubs, and any follow-up communications. It's scary to think about quitting, but it sounds like there's a real path forward with unemployment benefits if I handle it properly. Thanks for sharing all your experiences and advice - it's making me feel less alone in this difficult situation.

I'm a labor law attorney and wanted to add some legal perspective to this discussion. You're all on the right track - New York does recognize "constructive discharge" when employers make substantial unilateral changes to employment terms. A 30% pay cut definitely qualifies as substantial under NYS case law. However, there are some important timing considerations: 1) Don't accept even one paycheck at the reduced rate if possible, as this could be seen as accepting the new terms, 2) File your unemployment claim within the same week you quit, and 3) Be prepared for the employer to contest your claim - they often do in these situations. Also keep in mind that unemployment benefits in NY are typically 50% of your average weekly wage (up to the maximum), so plan your finances accordingly. Document everything, including any verbal communications, and consider sending a formal resignation letter clearly stating you're resigning due to the substantial reduction in compensation. This creates a clear record of your reasoning.

I just successfully reopened my claim after a similar situation about 3 weeks ago! Here's what I wish I had known going in: First, gather ALL your employment documents before starting the online form - the system is notorious for timing out and you'll lose your progress. You'll need exact dates (start/end), employer's full legal business name and address, your total gross wages, and hours worked. Since you mentioned you have 8 weeks left, those benefits are absolutely still available - the system just needs you to reactivate to access them. When they ask why you stopped filing, be completely straightforward about taking the temp position thinking it would become permanent. That's a totally legitimate reason and won't hurt your claim. The whole process took about 6 business days for me, and I got a determination letter through my online message center. Pro tip: file your weekly certification the moment your account shows active again - don't wait for any paperwork. The sooner you file, the sooner you'll get your first payment back. You've got this!

I just went through this exact same process about a month ago! You're definitely doing the right thing by reopening your existing claim rather than filing new - those 8 unused weeks are still yours. When I reopened mine after a 3-month temp job gap, the key was having all my employment details ready before starting the online form. The my.ny.gov system can be really glitchy and will timeout if you take too long gathering information mid-process. Make sure you have: exact start/end dates of your temp work, employer's complete business information, total gross wages earned, and a clear explanation that it was temporary work that didn't become permanent as expected. The whole process took about 5-7 business days for me to get approved. One important tip - as soon as your account shows active again after approval, file your weekly certification immediately. Don't wait for any determination letters or paperwork. I learned this the hard way and ended up missing a week of benefits because I waited. Your original weekly benefit amount should stay the same since you're reopening rather than starting fresh. The system is actually designed to handle these temporary work gaps, so don't stress too much about it!

As a fellow union member (teamster), I can confirm everything others have said - you're definitely eligible for regular unemployment benefits through NYS Department of Labor. I've collected several times over the years during slow periods. One tip: when you file, make sure to have your last few pay stubs handy because they'll need your wage information to calculate your benefit amount. Also, if you're on any union hiring lists or waiting for callbacks, you can mention that in your job search activities. The key is to file as soon as possible after your last day of work to avoid any delays in getting your benefits started.

I'm in a similar situation as a union sheet metal worker and just want to add that you should also check if your local union hall has any job placement services or leads while you're collecting unemployment. Many locals maintain job boards or have relationships with contractors who might be hiring. It doesn't affect your unemployment benefits at all, but it can help you get back to work faster. Also, make sure to keep records of any union meetings you attend or job referrals you get from the hall - these can count toward your work search requirements with NYS Department of Labor.