After reading through this thread, it sounds like your back payments are likely stuck with a system flag or hold. Based on my experience and what others have shared, here's what I recommend: 1. Use Claimyr or keep calling until you reach an agent 2. Specifically request a tier 2 specialist who can check for payment holds 3. Ask them to check for quarterly review flags, payment blocks, or pending certifications 4. File the formal complaint as suggested above 5. If all else fails, contact your state representative The system is frustrating but persistence usually pays off eventually. Keep documenting everything and don't give up!

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - been waiting 5 weeks for my backpay after they said it was "approved and being processed." Reading through all these responses is both helpful and terrifying! It sounds like there are so many different things that can go wrong in their system. I'm definitely going to try that formal complaint process that Olivia mentioned since I'm already past the 21 business day guideline. Has anyone had success with contacting their local assemblyperson or state senator? I'm wondering if political pressure helps move things along faster than just dealing with the DOL directly.

Contact your state assembly person!!! This worked for me when I couldnt get any help from unemployment directly. Google your district rep and their office will help escalate your case.

I went through this exact same situation last year! You absolutely should get those 3 weeks of backpay - that money is legally yours if you certified for those weeks before your BYE date. The fact that they show as "processed" with $0.00 payment is actually a good sign because it means they're in the system but just stuck. Here's what worked for me: I called right at 8am on a Tuesday (seems like less busy than Mondays) and got through after about 45 minutes. When I got an agent, I specifically said "I need help with outstanding payments from my previous benefit year that show as processed but never paid out." Having that exact phrase seemed to help them understand the issue faster. The agent was able to see the stuck payments immediately and released them with some kind of manual override. I got all the money within 2 business days. Don't let them tell you the money is gone - it's not! You just need someone with access to actually process the release. Also keep track of exactly which weeks you're owed (sounds like April 9th for sure, maybe others depending on your exact BYE date). Having specific dates ready helps speed up the call. Good luck! 🤞

The whole system is ridiculous honestly. They make it so complicated when it should be simple - you lost your job, here's what you get based on what you made. Instead they have these weird quarter calculations and base periods that nobody understands. And good luck getting anyone at NYS Department of Labor to explain it clearly!

same boat here, trying to figure out my weekly amount before my first payment. the waiting is killing me

Just wanted to say hang in there! Partial benefits really helped me when my hours got cut. The important thing is to keep filing every week even if the amount seems small. Better than nothing while you're looking for something full-time.

I went through this exact situation last year when my hours got cut at a clothing store. One thing that helped me understand the calculation was to think of it this way: NYS lets you keep 75% of whatever you earn from work, and then gives you the remaining benefit amount. So if you're supposed to get $300/week in unemployment but you earn $100 from your part-time work, you keep $75 of that $100 (the 75%), and they subtract $25 from your $300 benefit, leaving you with $275. It's actually pretty fair once you understand it. Just make sure to certify every week and be honest about your earnings - they will find out if you don't report correctly!

talk to your landlord NOW and explain the situation. most will work with u if u show them the approval letter. better to be upfront than wait till rent is due and u still dont have the $$

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Got my approval letter 6 days ago and still nothing in my account. The "payment pending" status is driving me crazy because there's literally no way to know what's actually happening behind the scenes. I've been reading through all these comments and it sounds like anywhere from 5-17 days is normal, which is such a huge range. Really wish NY would update their system to give us more transparency about where our payments actually are in the process. Hang in there - sounds like we just have to wait it out unfortunately.