I remember when I first filed in 2023, I was making about the same as you and my weekly benefit was around $275. But every situation is different depending on your work history and when you worked. The NYS Department of Labor looks at a specific base period - usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters before you file.

Just went through this process myself last month! Based on your $52k salary, you're probably looking at somewhere between $250-300 per week, but it really depends on how your wages were distributed across quarters. The NYS DOL uses your "base period" which is the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you file. So if you file now, they'd look at Q1 2024 through Q4 2024. One thing that helped me was logging into the NYS DOL website and starting the application process - you can see your wage history and get an estimate before you actually submit the claim. Just don't hit "submit" until you're ready to officially file!

I work from home so I've been able to call multiple times throughout the day. What I've found is that Tuesday through Thursday mornings between 8-9 AM have the shortest wait times. Mondays are terrible because everyone calls after the weekend, and Fridays get backed up with people trying to certify their weekly claims. Also pro tip - if you're on hold and it's getting close to 5 PM, don't hang up! They'll usually still take your call even if you connected before closing time, as long as you stay on the line. I've been helped at 5:15 PM this way when I got in the queue at 4:45 PM.

I've been dealing with the same frustration! After reading through everyone's advice here, I'm going to try a combination approach: calling right at 8 AM on a Tuesday or Wednesday (avoiding Mondays and Fridays), using the main 1-888-209-8124 number, and having my phone ready to dial at exactly 7:59:59 AM. If that doesn't work, I might look into that Claimyr service someone mentioned. It's ridiculous that we have to strategize this much just to reach our own state unemployment office, but at least this community has some solid practical tips. Will report back on how the early morning strategy works!

Anybody know if theres a way to expedite the waiting week credit process? I'm really in a tight spot financially and every day counts 😰

Just wanted to jump in here as someone who's been dealing with NYDOL for a while now. A few things that might help: 1. **Document everything** - keep screenshots of every page, error message, confirmation number, etc. This saved me when they claimed I never submitted something. 2. **Try the online portal during off-peak hours** (like early morning or late evening) - it's way less glitchy then. 3. **For the waiting week credit specifically** - make sure you have your exact dates of unemployment ready. They're really picky about this stuff. 4. **Stay vigilant about scams** - I've gotten at least 5 fake texts claiming to be from NYDOL in the past month alone. The real NYDOL will never ask for your full SSN or banking info via text/email. The whole process is honestly a nightmare, but you'll get through it. Keep pushing and don't give up! Also seconding what others said about local assistance programs - 211 is a great resource while you're waiting. Good luck! 🤞

@Dylan Cooper - Another tip that helped me when I was in the same boat: if you haven't already, make sure to check your email (including spam folder) for any communications from NYS DOL. Sometimes they send important updates there that don't show up in your online account right away. Also, when you do find your claim status, don't worry if it shows "pending" for a while - that's totally normal. The key thing is making sure you keep certifying for benefits each week like others mentioned. I was stressed about the same thing when I first filed, but it all worked out once the initial processing went through. Hang in there!

@Dylan Cooper - I just went through this same process a few weeks ago! In addition to what others mentioned, try looking for a section called "Claim Summary" or "Benefit Year Summary" in your account - that's where I found the most detailed info about my claim status. It should show you whether your claim is "Active," "Pending," or if there are any outstanding issues. Also, if you see any flags or holds on your account, there's usually a brief explanation of what's needed. The waiting is definitely the hardest part, but 10 days is still within the normal processing timeframe. Keep doing those weekly certifications even while you wait - that was key for me getting backpay once everything got approved.

I went through this same situation a few months ago. Here's what worked for me: Start with the online application at labor.ny.gov early in the morning (like 6-7 AM) when the system is less busy. Have your last employer's info ready including exact dates of employment and your final pay stub. If you get stuck on any questions, you can save your progress and come back to it later. The phone lines are brutal right now - I spent literally days trying to get through. Focus on getting your initial claim filed online first, then worry about calling if you run into specific issues later. The key is establishing your claim date so you don't lose any potential benefits while figuring out the details.

I was in the exact same boat a couple months ago - lost my job suddenly and panicked about getting unemployment started. Here's what I learned: definitely go the online route first at labor.ny.gov. The phone system is absolutely brutal right now. I'd recommend trying to file between 6-8 AM when the servers aren't as overwhelmed. You'll need your Social Security number, driver's license, and employment info for the last 18 months (employer names, addresses, dates worked, and gross wages). Don't stress too much about getting every detail perfect - you can make corrections later if needed. The most important thing is getting your claim filed to establish your benefit year start date. Once that's done, you can deal with any issues that come up. The weekly certification can be done online or by phone, and that's usually much easier than the initial filing. Hang in there - it's overwhelming at first but once you get through the initial application it gets much more manageable!