I'm dealing with almost the exact same situation right now! My hold was removed on Monday and I'm still waiting to see any payments come through. Reading everyone's experiences here is both reassuring and nerve-wracking - sounds like it could be anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. The inconsistency is what's driving me crazy. Like some of you mentioned, it seems totally random whether you get an agent who can actually help or one who just gives you the runaround. I'm going to take the advice about calling back to ask specifically about the "release code" and whether they've actually triggered the payment release (not just removed the hold). Thanks to everyone who shared their timelines and tips - it helps to know I'm not alone in this mess. Will update this thread when my payments finally come through in case it helps anyone else! 🤞

Just went through this exact same thing last month! The waiting after they say "hold removed" is honestly the worst part because you have no idea if it's actually processing or if something else went wrong. In my case, it took exactly 5 business days from when they told me the hold was lifted to when I actually saw money in my account. But here's what I learned - there's apparently a difference between "removing the hold" and actually "releasing the payments for processing." Some agents do both steps at once, others forget the second part. When you call back (and definitely do call back if you don't see anything by Thursday/Friday), ask them specifically: 1. Has the hold been removed? (sounds like yes for you) 2. Has the payment release been processed/triggered? 3. What's the status of your payment queue? Also keep an eye on your payment history in the online portal - sometimes it'll show "released" there before it hits your bank account, which at least gives you peace of mind that it's moving through the system. The good news is once it starts flowing, all your backpay should come through pretty quickly. I got 7 weeks worth all at once. Stay strong, you're almost there! 💪

Just wanted to add one more thing that helped me during my NYS DOL appointment - bring a pen and notepad! The caseworker gave me specific instructions about next steps and important dates that I needed to remember. Taking notes during the meeting helped me keep track of everything they told me. Also, if you have any disability accommodations or language interpretation needs, make sure to mention that when you arrive so they can assist you properly. The staff was surprisingly patient and thorough in explaining everything. Your 5-week wait is frustrating but pretty typical unfortunately - hang in there, you're almost through this process!

I've been following all the great advice in this thread as I'm preparing for my own DOL appointment next week. One thing I wanted to add that helped my sister when she went through this - if you've been receiving any other benefits like SNAP or Medicaid, bring documentation of those as well. They may ask about all sources of support to get the complete picture. Also, if you had direct deposit set up for your previous job, bring a voided check or bank account information since they'll likely want to set up direct deposit for your benefits if approved. The whole process sounds intimidating but everyone's experiences here make it seem much more manageable. Thanks to everyone for sharing their tips - this thread is incredibly helpful for those of us navigating this system!

I had my NYS DOL hearing about 3 months ago and it ended up being right around 90 minutes. My case was also a misconduct dispute where I had documentation to back up my side. The judge was very methodical - they went through each piece of evidence carefully and asked follow-up questions. What really helped was having everything clearly labeled and organized beforehand. I also made sure to stay calm and stick to the facts, even when my former employer made some pretty outrageous claims. The whole process was less intimidating than I expected, honestly. Since you have your documentation ready and witness statements, you're already ahead of the game. I'd echo what others said about blocking off 2-3 hours just to be safe, but don't stress too much about the length - focus on presenting your case clearly and you should do fine.

I went through a similar NYS DOL hearing about 4 months ago for a misconduct disqualification appeal. Mine lasted exactly 2 hours because both my employer and I had extensive documentation and witnesses. The administrative law judge was very thorough - they asked detailed questions about company policies, my job performance history, and the specific incident that led to my termination. What really made a difference was having everything organized chronologically and being able to reference specific dates and emails quickly. The judge also asked me to walk through my version of events multiple times to make sure my story was consistent. Since you mentioned having emails and witness statements, make sure those witnesses are available to speak during the hearing if needed - the judge might want to hear from them directly. I'd definitely recommend the 3-hour block that others suggested. Also, write down a brief outline of your key points beforehand so you don't forget anything important when you're nervous. The good news is that having solid documentation usually works in your favor!

Just wanted to add that you should definitely apply ASAP since there's usually a waiting period before benefits start. Also, keep all your pay stubs and any paperwork from the resort - NYS Department of Labor will need to verify your wages. I worked seasonal construction and it took a few weeks to get everything processed. One tip: when you file your weekly claims, be honest about any odd jobs or cash work you might pick up between seasons since they'll cross-reference with other agencies.

Just want to second what others said about applying quickly! I worked at a seasonal beach resort on Long Island and was able to collect UI between seasons. One thing I learned the hard way - make sure you understand your "benefit year" dates. NYS Department of Labor calculates your benefits based on wages from a specific 12-month period, and if you wait too long to file, you might miss out on including your most recent seasonal earnings. Also, if your resort does file standby paperwork, you'll get a notice about it - don't assume they did it automatically. I'd recommend calling them to confirm whether they're putting you on standby status or if you need to do regular job searches.

I work at a local workforce development office and see this website issue constantly. Another option is to visit any American Job Center (One-Stop Career Center) in your area - they have staff who can help you file your initial claim on their computers which sometimes have better access to the system. You can find locations at https://www.labor.ny.gov/career-center-locator/. Also, if you do get through on the phone system, write down your confirmation number immediately - the system sometimes drops calls right after you submit. Don't give up, the first week you're eligible is when your benefit year starts, so getting it filed ASAP is crucial.

I went through this exact same frustrating experience last month! The website was constantly timing out for me too. What finally worked was calling the tel-claim line at 888-209-8124 very early in the morning (around 7:30 AM) before it gets busy. Make sure you have all your employment history for the past 18 months ready - company names, addresses, dates of employment, and reason for leaving each job. The automated system walks you through everything step by step. It took about 45 minutes total but was much less stressful than fighting with the website. You'll still need to set up your online account later for weekly certifications, but at least you'll get your initial claim filed and your benefit year started. Don't let the website issues delay you any longer - time is money with unemployment benefits!