UPDATE: Finally got through to someone after using that Claimyr service someone mentioned above. Turns out there was a system-wide issue this morning that affected a bunch of accounts. The agent was able to reset my account immediately. I'm back in now! Thanks everyone for your help.

This is so frustrating! I'm dealing with the same lockout issue right now. Been trying since 7am and nothing works. Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences and solutions here - it's good to know it's not just me going crazy. Going to try that Claimyr service since I can't afford to wait around on hold all day. The fact that this happens so regularly with their system is ridiculous for something so important as accessing our benefits!

Congratulations on winning your appeal! I went through something similar a few months ago. In my experience, once the appeal was reversed, I received a notice in my online account within about a week showing the updated payment schedule. The back pay came as one lump sum about 2 weeks after that. Just make sure you keep certifying for benefits each week even while waiting - that was crucial for me to get everything I was owed. Also, screenshot everything in your account showing the reversal decision and payment amounts in case there are any discrepancies later. The whole process was frustrating but I did eventually get every penny I was entitled to from my original filing date.

I'm going through the appeal process right now and this gives me hope! Quick question - did you have to do anything special to get the appeal hearing scheduled, or did it happen automatically after you filed? Also, how long did the whole appeal process take from start to finish? I've been waiting 3 weeks just to get a hearing date and I'm getting really anxious about how much longer this might drag on.

honestly the whole system is a mess... i know people who got unemployment while owing child support, back rent, credit card debt - they don't really check that stuff when you apply. just make sure you qualify based on work history and weren't fired for misconduct

Just to add some clarity - I work in tax resolution and can confirm that federal tax debt won't prevent you from getting NYS unemployment benefits. The application process focuses on employment eligibility, not tax status. However, I'd recommend setting aside a portion of your weekly benefits for taxes since unemployment is taxable income. You can request voluntary withholding when you certify each week to avoid a bigger tax bill next year, especially given your existing debt situation.

Thanks for the update! This is super helpful - I was literally in the same exact boat last week but chickened out and didn't change my bank info because I was too worried about timing. Seeing that it worked for you gives me confidence to finally make the switch. The fact that you changed it Thursday and still got paid Tuesday in the new account is exactly what I needed to know. Definitely going to take that screenshot advice too!

This whole thread has been so reassuring! I'm dealing with a bank merger situation where my routing number is changing next month, so I'll need to update my direct deposit info too. Based on everyone's experiences here, it sounds like the key is giving yourself at least a few days between making the change and your certification date. Really appreciate everyone sharing their real experiences - the official unemployment website is pretty vague about timing for these changes.

I just went through this process recently and wanted to share what I learned. You definitely cannot collect both simultaneously - it's one or the other. The key thing NYS Department of Labor looks at is that "able and available for work" certification you do every week. If you're applying for disability, you're essentially saying you can't work, which directly contradicts that certification. Here's what I'd recommend: before making any moves, calculate which benefit would give you more money and for how long. Sometimes unemployment might be better short-term while you look for work you can do with limitations, while disability might be better if your condition is expected to last a long time. Also, if you do switch to disability, make sure you understand whether it's temporary or permanent - if it's temporary, you might be able to go back to unemployment later. The most important thing is to be completely transparent with both agencies about your situation to avoid any fraud issues.

I was in a similar situation about a year ago and learned this the hard way. You absolutely cannot collect both - I actually got a letter from NYS Department of Labor when they found out I had applied for disability, and they made it very clear that I needed to choose one or the other immediately. What saved me from potential fraud charges was that I called them right away to explain the situation and stopped certifying for unemployment that same week. The process was stressful because there's definitely an income gap - my disability took about 8 weeks to get approved, so I had two months with no income at all. If you're considering this switch, I'd suggest: 1) Talk to a disability lawyer first (most offer free consultations), 2) Calculate whether disability would actually pay more than your remaining unemployment weeks, 3) Make sure you have enough savings to cover the gap period, and 4) Be completely upfront with NYS Department of Labor about your intentions. Don't try to fly under the radar - they do cross-reference these systems and it's not worth the fraud risk.