I went through something similar a few months ago and it was nerve-wracking! In my case, the "pending issue/denied" status showed up because NYS Department of Labor needed to verify my reason for leaving my last job - apparently my employer had reported it differently than what I put on my initial application. The whole thing took about 4-5 weeks to resolve, but like others said, I kept filing my weekly claims and got all the back payments once they cleared it up. One thing that helped me was logging into the website daily to check if any new correspondence appeared in my inbox, even though they're supposed to mail stuff too. Sometimes there are additional documents or questionnaires they want you to fill out that only show up online. Hang in there - most of these issues do get resolved eventually!

I had the exact same status appear on my claim about 6 months ago and I completely panicked! Turns out it was because I had reported some freelance work income but didn't include all the documentation they needed. The key thing I learned is that "pending issue/denied" doesn't mean you're actually denied yet - it just means they've flagged something that needs review before they can continue payments. Definitely keep filing your weekly claims like others have said, because those weeks will get paid retroactively if the issue gets resolved in your favor. Also, try checking your online account every few days for any questionnaires or document requests that might pop up - sometimes they'll ask for additional info to help resolve the issue faster. The waiting is awful but most of these do get cleared up within a few weeks!

Just to add - when you do get through to reschedule, ask them to note in your file that you had a medical emergency. Also request that they send you written confirmation of the new interview date and time. Sometimes there are communication issues and you want everything documented.

I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago! Missing the interview is stressful but definitely not the end of the world. Here's what worked for me: I called the main unemployment number first thing the next morning and explained I had a medical emergency. They transferred me to the adjudication unit who was actually pretty understanding. I had to fax over my doctor's appointment confirmation and a brief letter explaining what happened. They rescheduled me for the following week and everything worked out fine. The key is to be proactive and call them before they send you any denial notices. Also, when you do get your rescheduled interview, answer the phone 5-10 minutes early and keep it nearby - they sometimes call a few minutes before the scheduled time. You've got this!

I just went through this exact situation a few months ago - hours cut from full-time to barely part-time, then got hit with a "voluntary quit" determination. The appeal process was stressful but totally worth it. A few things that really helped my case: 1) I took photos of my work schedule/timesheet showing the dramatic hour reduction over time, 2) I saved any text messages or emails where my supervisor mentioned the cuts were permanent or business-related, and 3) I documented how the reduced income made it impossible to pay basic expenses like rent. The hearing was actually pretty straightforward - the judge asked direct questions about what happened and why I left. My employer didn't even show up to contest it, which happens more often than you'd think. The whole process from appeal to decision took about 6-8 weeks for me. Don't let them intimidate you - if your hours were genuinely cut to the point where you couldn't survive on them, you have every right to those benefits. The system is designed to help people in situations exactly like yours.

I went through a similar appeal last year after being wrongly classified as a voluntary quit when my employer cut my hours from 32 to about 6 per week. The whole process was intimidating at first but definitely worth fighting. A couple of additional tips that helped me: Make sure you file your appeal online through my.ny.gov rather than mailing it - the online system gives you a confirmation receipt and tracks your submission. Also, when you write your appeal statement, be very specific about the timeline - include exact dates when your hours were cut, how much they were reduced, and when you ultimately had to leave. I created a simple spreadsheet showing my weekly hours and pay for about 3 months before and after the cuts, which made the impact crystal clear to the judge. One thing I wish someone had told me is that you can continue certifying for benefits during the appeal process even though you're not getting paid yet - this keeps your claim active. If you win the appeal, they'll pay you retroactively for those weeks. The hearing itself was less scary than I expected - just be honest, stick to the facts, and have your documents organized. You've got this!

I'm in a similar situation - just got furloughed from my retail job yesterday and feeling overwhelmed about the whole process. Reading through everyone's responses here is really helpful! One question I have is about the waiting period that Grace mentioned - does that mean there's automatically a delay before you start receiving benefits, or is that just processing time? Also, for anyone who's been through this, do you have to actively search for other work while on furlough, or does the expectation of returning to your original job count as your work search requirement? I want to make sure I'm following all the rules correctly so I don't mess up my claim.

I went through furlough unemployment with NYS Department of Labor about 6 months ago when my manufacturing company temporarily shut down our production line. Here are some key things I wish I'd known: 1) File your claim the Sunday of the week your furlough starts - the system processes new claims on Sundays and you want to get in the queue early. 2) When they ask about your "last day worked," use the actual last day you worked, not the day your furlough officially begins. 3) Keep checking your online account regularly because sometimes they'll request additional documentation and you only have a limited time to respond. 4) If your employer offers any kind of benefits continuation during furlough (like health insurance), make sure to mention that in your application - it won't affect your UI eligibility but they like to have complete info. The whole process took about 2 weeks for me to see my first deposit, and I was able to collect benefits for the full 7 weeks I was furloughed before getting called back. Don't stress too much - furlough situations are pretty straightforward for them to process!

update?? did u get thru??

Been lurking here for a while and finally decided to jump in since I'm dealing with the exact same nightmare. Week 2 of trying to reach someone about a payment issue and it's honestly affecting my mental health at this point. Reading through all these comments gives me some hope though - seems like there are actual solutions that work! Going to try that 8am call strategy with the specific number sequence first, and if that doesn't work I'll look into the Claimyr service. Thanks everyone for sharing what's worked for you, this community is a lifesaver when the system is failing us this badly.