UPDATE: I tried again this morning and still nothing. Used a different browser too. I finally broke down and called them. After 2.5 hours on hold (!!!) I finally got through. Turns out there was a "program review" flag on my account that was blocking me from certifying. The agent removed it and I was able to certify right away. She said this is happening to a bunch of people right now because of some internal review process they're doing. So if anyone else runs into this problem, unfortunately you DO need to call. Thanks everyone for your help!

Wow, thanks for the update! This is really helpful to know. I'm dealing with a similar issue right now where my certification option just disappeared even though I have effective days and benefits left. Based on your experience, it sounds like I should probably just bite the bullet and call them directly rather than keep trying different browsers and waiting. Did the agent give you any insight into why these "program reviews" are happening so frequently right now? Just trying to understand if this is something that might happen again in the future.

For future reference, you can also sign up for text notifications in your my.ny.gov account settings. They'll send updates when your claim status changes or if there are any issues that need your attention. It's under 'Communication Preferences' in your profile. Also, make sure you're filing your weekly claims even while waiting for the initial determination - you can't get retroactive payments for weeks you didn't certify.

I went through this same frustrating experience a few months back. One thing that helped me was checking the "Documents" section on my.ny.gov - sometimes they request additional paperwork but it doesn't always show up clearly in the main dashboard. Also, if you haven't already, make sure to check your spam folder for emails from [email protected]. They sometimes send status updates there that get filtered out. The waiting is the worst part, but hang in there - most claims do get processed eventually, it's just their system is overwhelmed.

The whole system is funded by employers but honestly it feels like they make it as hard as possible for us to actually collect what we're entitled to. All these adjudication delays and job search requirements - it's like they want people to give up and stop filing claims.

Thanks everyone for the detailed explanations! I had no idea it was completely employer-funded. It's actually pretty smart that companies with higher turnover pay more - gives them a real financial incentive to treat workers better and avoid unnecessary layoffs. Makes me feel less guilty about collecting benefits knowing my former employer was required to pay into this system all along.

i know someone who got in huge trouble for reporting wrong. they made him pay back like $8000! but that was cuz he didnt report ANY income not cuz he reported wrong type

As someone who's been dealing with self-employment income reporting for a while, I can confirm what others have said - definitely report NET income. I run a small online business and learned this the hard way after initially reporting gross sales. For your Etsy shop, calculate: (Total sales) - (Etsy fees + shipping costs + materials + any other direct business expenses) = Net income to report. Since you've been over-reporting for a while, you're likely owed money from previous weeks. I'd suggest documenting all your actual net income for those past weeks before calling NYSDOL. Having clear numbers will make the adjustment process smoother if you can actually get through to someone. The key is showing them you've been conservative and honest, just using the wrong calculation method. Keep detailed spreadsheets going forward - it'll save you headaches later!

Keep certifying your weekly claims even while waiting for approval. Once they process your initial claim, you'll get backpay for all the weeks you certified. The key is staying consistent with your weekly filings and job search activities. Document everything in case they ask for proof later.

I'm in a similar situation - filed 7 weeks ago and still waiting. What I've learned is that you can also try contacting your local assemblyperson or state senator's office. They sometimes have dedicated liaisons who can help escalate cases with the Department of Labor. I reached out to mine last week and they said they'd make an inquiry on my behalf. Worth a shot if the phone lines aren't working for you. Also make sure you're keeping records of all your job search activities and any correspondence attempts with DOL.