r/UnemploymentNY

I'm traveling internationally and will miss 3 unemployment certifications (plus one where I will be back in the US and able to certify, but will have been traveling the entire previous week).

I have called the DoL several times to report the travel and have been hung up on due to high call volume. The "secure messaging" system online also just directs you to call them. I know not to certify while I'm abroad, but will my benefits be canceled if I don't certify for 3-4 weeks?

What's the best course of action here?

Hi all. So I applied for unemployment last Sunday and got flagged to call a rep to complete my application. I called the next day on Monday and got lucky and spoke to someone. She completed my application, but had asked me to submit a paystub because I worked for the state and she couldn't find the DEPTID on their system. I know how I'm suppose to upload this, but the option is not available/showing up for me the last couple days. I tried to call, but no luck reaching someone so I figured I'd ask here. How long should I wait to see when the option will show.

Also, the rep told me I should start certifying on Wed. 10/14/2026, and then every Sunday starting 10/18/2026. Does this sound right? I thought I was suppose to start rigght away - I see that option open in my account.

Thanks in advanced.

I received the paperwork to apply for my backdated payments. The first page of the letter they sent me says "Questions 1, 2, and 3 are required. For the rest, only complete the sections that apply to your situation".

Well, only question 1 applies to my situation: I forgot. The other two questions seem to belong to the "Could not get through to DOL" section. Except that does not apply to me. I have looked through the entire form and there are no other questions numbered 2 or 3.

Do I have to try to reach a DOL person on the phone again or can anyone interpret this form for me? Has anybody else encountered this contradictory instruction? (the scraps of trash are me covering the private info).

Here is the form I need to fill out

and here are the confusing instructions (pink highlighting is my own)

Thank you all!

Hey everyone, I’m posting this here because I’m feeling incredibly stuck and hoping to connect with anyone who has been through this or has insight into the corporate side of things.

I’m currently out of work and actively applying, but I have an ongoing civil lawsuit brought against me by my former employer as a counter suit to an EEOC complaint, the countersuit involves claims that even the court raised an eyebrow on, but given the law it still needs to be carried through. This situation has completely jeopardized my future work. Every time I get deep into an interview process or submit an application, I have this looming anxiety that I’ve been quietly blackballed or screened out because of the public court docket. Most of the time there are 3x interviews and no callbacks or in other instances a cold decline after very enthusiastic interviews.

My hunch, Ai hiring tools used by talent/HR teams are now incredibly advanced. These days a google search with "ai mode" will tell you everything you need to know about a person. Cases are public, however I am wondering if there is a de facto vs de jure situation happening... where cases are hurting potential employees.

Any advice... please.

I recently received a message to my inbox as below:

Dear: [...]

My name is [...] from the NYS Department of labor. The New York State Department of Labor is conducting audits to determine if Unemployment Insurance claims are properly processed according to State Law, regulations and policy. It is necessary for us to verify all information related to this claim. Investigators will review agency records and contact appropriate parties in order to verify information, correct any errors in claims and improve UI operations. Participation is mandatory and failure to respond may affect future eligibility.

Please complete and return the attached fact-finding questionnaires and cover letter within TWO (2) Business days of the sent date of this email....

Has anyone else gotten this before? Is this common? Could this have been initiated by my petty past employer? The guy also called me and told me that these are completely random audits done by an organization independent of the DOL, to audit DOL. But they communicate through the DOL system so I can trust that it's legit...