I've been through a similar situation and wanted to share some practical advice. First, the 8-year tenure you mentioned actually works in your favor - it shows you're not someone who quits impulsively. For the restructuring issue, try to find any documentation about your original job duties (offer letter, employee handbook, past performance reviews) and compare it to what you're being asked to do now. The dramatic increase in responsibilities without compensation could qualify as constructive dismissal. When documenting, be strategic - send professional emails to HR about "concerns regarding workload sustainability and job scope changes following the restructure" rather than emotional complaints about your manager. This creates a paper trail while keeping things professional. Also, before quitting, try asking HR about internal transfer opportunities or if there are any voluntary separation packages available post-restructure. Sometimes companies prefer avoiding potential constructive dismissal claims. If you do end up filing for unemployment after quitting, be prepared for an initial denial and appeals process that could take months. Having a financial cushion for that period is crucial. The NYS Department of Labor phone system is notoriously difficult, but don't give up - persistence often pays off in these cases.

I've been through a very similar situation and wanted to share what worked for me. The key is understanding that NYS Department of Labor defines "good cause" pretty narrowly - it's not enough to just be unhappy or overworked. However, your situation with doing three people's jobs after a restructure without additional compensation could potentially qualify as constructive dismissal. Start documenting everything NOW - send professional emails to HR about your concerns regarding the unsustainable workload and hostile work environment. Even if they don't respond, it creates a crucial paper trail. Keep your original job description and compare it to what you're doing now to show how dramatically your role has changed. Also, try to exhaust internal remedies first - ask about transfers, speak to your manager's supervisor, or inquire about voluntary separation packages. The appeals process can take months and you likely won't receive benefits during that time, so plan financially accordingly. If you need to contact NYS Department of Labor during this process, their phone system is terrible - you might want to look into services like Claimyr that help you actually get through to a real person. Your 8-year tenure actually helps your case since it shows you're not someone who quits lightly.

I went through this same situation about 6 months ago when I was laid off from my marketing job. My claim was pending for exactly 3 weeks before it got approved. The key thing is to keep filing your weekly certifications like others mentioned - that saved me from losing any back pay. I also recommend checking your online account every few days to see if any new documents or information are requested, even though it sounds like you're already doing that. The waiting is definitely nerve-wracking but layoffs due to budget cuts are usually pretty straightforward for them to verify.

I'm in a very similar boat - filed my claim 8 days ago after being laid off and still stuck in pending status. It's really frustrating not having any clear timeline or communication from NYS DOL about what's happening behind the scenes. From what I'm reading here, it sounds like 2-4 weeks is pretty normal, but that @Andre Dupont mention of claimyr.com is interesting - has anyone else tried that service to actually get through to speak with someone? The phone system seems completely overwhelmed and I'm wondering if there are better ways to get updates on claim status.

OMG I could have written this post myself! I've been going through the exact same torture for the past week and a half. That stupid automated message plays in my nightmares at this point 😭 I've literally tried calling over 40 times at different hours and NOTHING. The system is absolutely broken and it feels intentional at this point. One thing I discovered though - if you call and get that message, don't hang up immediately. Sometimes if you wait like 30-45 seconds it will actually say something different or give you menu options. It's rare but it happened to me twice (though I still didn't get through to a person). Also saw people mentioning Claimyr and I'm honestly tempted to try it at this point because I'm running out of options and patience. Has anyone else here actually used it successfully? I'm usually skeptical of these services but desperate times... Hang in there @Omar Hassan - we're all in this nightmare together!

I'm in the exact same situation and it's absolutely maddening! I've been trying for about a week now and getting nowhere with the phone system. What's really frustrating is that I can see online that my claim needs "additional verification" but when I try to complete it on the website, it just tells me to call. It's like a cruel loop designed to keep us from getting help. I'm definitely going to try calling right at 8am tomorrow based on what others have shared here. The tip about waiting after the automated message instead of hanging up immediately is something I hadn't thought of either - thanks for that @Brianna Schmidt! Has anyone had any luck with the online chat feature that @Liam Sullivan mentioned? I can't seem to find it on the website but maybe I'm missing something obvious. At this point I'm willing to try literally anything to avoid spending another day listening to that condescending "your call is important to us" message 🙄 Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences here - it helps to know we're not going crazy and this system really is as broken as it feels!

I've been following this thread and wanted to share another option that worked for me when I was stuck overseas last year. If you have a trusted friend or family member in the US, you can set up a three-way call where they dial the NY unemployment number first, get through the queue, and then add you to the call. This way you're not dealing with international calling issues and the system sees a domestic number initiating the call. Also, for the login issues, I had success using NordVPN with their Buffalo or Albany servers specifically - seems like the system recognizes those as legitimate NY locations better than NYC servers. @a1978de8d17d - so glad you got through! The Spanish option is definitely going in my toolkit for future reference. Really appreciate you coming back to update us with what worked. One more tip for everyone - if you're sending documents via fax, always include a cover sheet with your full name, phone number, last 4 of SSN, and the date/time you're sending it. I also write "URGENT - OVERSEAS CLAIMANT" at the top. It might help get attention from whoever processes these things. Hope this helps someone else avoid the nightmare we've all been through! 🙏

Just wanted to add another resource that might help - if you're still having trouble getting through by phone, you can also try reaching out through the NY Department of Labor's Twitter account (@NYSLabor). I know it sounds random, but they actually do respond to DMs about urgent issues, especially if you explain you're overseas dealing with a family emergency. Also, for future reference, I learned that if you're going to be out of the country for an extended period, you can actually request a temporary hold on your claim processing by sending a written request to the NYSDOL explaining your situation. Obviously doesn't help your current situation, but might be useful info for others. The fact that so many people in this thread are dealing with the same "lost documents" issue really shows how broken their system is. At least we're all helping each other figure out workarounds! Keep us posted on how the Spanish option works out for those trying it - fingers crossed it helps more people get through! 🤞

Just want to add that even if your injury heals and you become able to work again, you could potentially file for unemployment at that point if you're having trouble finding a new job. But right now while you're medically unable to work, disability benefits are your best bet. Hope your back heals up soon!

This is such an important distinction that more people need to understand! I work in benefits administration and see this confusion all the time. Just to clarify a few key points: 1) New York State Disability Benefits (DBL) is actually a state-mandated program that most employees pay into through payroll deductions - check your paystubs for "DBL" deductions. 2) You can apply for NYS disability online at wcb.ny.gov if you've been unable to work for more than 7 days due to your injury. 3) The benefit is typically 50% of your average weekly wage up to a cap. 4) You'll need your doctor to complete disability paperwork. Don't let your savings drain while you're figuring this out - if you've been paying into the system, you're likely entitled to these benefits!