I'm going through something similar - my claim has been pending since November and I can't get any real answers either. From what I've researched, there have been some class action suits filed against NYS DOL in the past few years, but they're hard to find info about. Try searching for "unemployment class action New York" on legal websites or contact the New York State Bar Association's lawyer referral service. They might be able to point you toward attorneys who are actively working on these cases. Also document everything - dates you called, screenshots of your online account, any correspondence. That paper trail will be crucial whether you go the legal route or keep fighting through appeals.

I'm dealing with a very similar situation - my claim has been stuck since December with zero communication from NYS DOL. From what I've found, there are a few law firms that have handled unemployment class actions against NYS DOL, including Legal Aid Society and some private employment attorneys. You might want to check out the website for New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG) - they sometimes take on systemic unemployment cases. Also, try reaching out to your state assembly member's office - sometimes they can help cut through the bureaucratic mess when individual appeals aren't working. The whole system seems designed to wear people down until they give up, which is exactly what we can't let happen. Keep fighting and definitely keep documenting everything like others have suggested.

If ur benefits are about to expire, they might be doing an "end of benefits review" on ur account. happened to me last time. they basically verify everything one last time. super annoying but they don't tell u about it

I'm going through the exact same thing! Claimed Sunday as usual, and it's now Thursday with absolutely nothing. This is so stressful because I have rent due this weekend. I've been calling nonstop but can't get through to anyone. The worst part is there's no explanation anywhere - no messages, no alerts, nothing. It's like our claims just vanished. I'm really hoping this gets resolved soon because I can't afford to miss this payment. Has anyone found any official communication from NYSDOL about what's causing these delays?

Ugh, I feel your pain! I've been stuck in review hell since September - going on 5 months now too. The whole system is absolutely broken. What's helped me stay (somewhat) sane is keeping a spreadsheet of every single call attempt, message sent, and interaction. I also started calling my assemblyperson's office last week after seeing similar advice here. Haven't heard back yet but fingers crossed! In the meantime, I've been doing gig work just to keep the lights on. It's so frustrating that we have to jump through all these hoops when we're already stressed about money. Hang in there - you're definitely not alone in this nightmare!

Wow, reading through all these comments is both reassuring and terrifying at the same time. I'm dealing with something similar - filed my claim in early September and it's been "under review" ever since. Like you, I've called probably 25+ times with no luck, sent multiple messages through their portal, and even tried reaching out on social media. Nothing. The claimyr.com suggestion keeps coming up and I'm honestly getting desperate enough to try it. Has anyone here actually used it recently? I'm a bit worried about giving my info to a third party but if it actually works... Also definitely going to try contacting my state rep after seeing how many people had success with that approach. At this point I'll try anything. The financial stress is unreal - I've burned through my savings and am now behind on rent. How is it legal for them to just ignore people for months like this? Hang in there OP, sounds like we're all in this together unfortunately 😔

To summarize for the original poster: 1. Yes, you can receive partial unemployment while working part-time 2. Report all hours and earnings accurately when you certify weekly 3. Be aware of the thresholds: working 30+ hours or earning $595+ in a week makes you ineligible for that week 4. Continue doing and documenting your four work search activities each week 5. Keep detailed records of all your work hours, pay stubs, and certifications 6. Consider having taxes withheld from your benefits While the system isn't perfect, partial unemployment can definitely help bridge the gap while you're working reduced hours and searching for full-time employment.

Just went through this exact process last month! A couple things that helped me get started: When you apply online, there's a specific section where you indicate you're working part-time - don't skip over it or the system might flag your claim as suspicious. Also, make sure you have your last full-time employer's info ready (dates, wages, reason you left) since that's what your benefit amount will be based on, not your current part-time job. One thing I wish someone had told me - your first payment might take 3-4 weeks to come through even if everything goes smoothly, so don't panic if it seems slow. The system has to verify your previous employment first. Good luck with your application!

For anyone dealing with this issue, I recommend taking screenshots of your certification confirmation page every time you certify. That way if there's ever a dispute about what days you claimed, you have proof. The system is supposed to show this in your payment history, but sometimes that information is incomplete or missing entirely.

This is so helpful to read! I just started collecting unemployment last month and had no idea this was even a possibility. I've been certifying every Sunday without really paying attention to the payment amounts - just assumed they were correct. Going to start screenshotting my certifications and checking my payment history more carefully from now on. Thanks for sharing your experience and congrats on getting it resolved!