I'm so sorry you're going through this - 4 months is absolutely unacceptable! I had a similar issue last year where I was locked out for weeks. Here's what finally worked for me: Try calling the 8124 number at exactly 8:01am (not 8:00am when everyone else calls). I found there's a sweet spot right after the system fully comes online. Also, if you have an old rotary or push-button landline phone, try using that instead of a cell phone - I swear the older phone systems sometimes get routed differently. For the ID.me issue, don't wait for their "specialist review" - call them directly at 866-775-4363 and ask to speak with a Tier 2 support agent. Tell them it's preventing you from accessing unemployment benefits and they'll usually expedite the review. One more thing - document EVERY call attempt with date/time stamps. When you finally get through to DOL, mention that you have 4 months of documented attempts. That's your "good cause" evidence for the delayed waiting week claim. Don't give up! Your benefits are waiting for you once you break through this ridiculous system.

I'm new to this community but unfortunately not new to NY unemployment problems. Just wanted to say thank you to everyone sharing their experiences and strategies here - this thread is incredibly valuable for those of us stuck in this broken system. I've been dealing with my own unemployment nightmare for 2 months now (not quite as long as some of you, but long enough to understand the frustration). Reading through all these suggestions has given me a clear action plan: 1. Try the 8:01am calling strategy with a landline 2. Contact my state representative's office 3. File a complaint with the DOL Advocate Office 4. Keep detailed documentation of everything What really struck me is how many different approaches people have had to try before something worked. It's clear there's no single solution - you really do need to attack this from multiple angles simultaneously. To the original poster - 4 months is absolutely unacceptable, but don't lose hope. Based on what I'm reading here, your persistence WILL pay off eventually. The fact that you have months of documented call attempts is actually valuable evidence when you finally get through. Thanks again to everyone sharing their hard-won knowledge. Hoping we all get resolution soon!

I'm going through this exact same frustrating situation right now! After reading all these helpful suggestions, I wanted to add one more tip that worked for me yesterday. If you're still having issues with the automated PIN system, try using the keypad on your phone's dial screen instead of the number pad that sometimes pops up during the call - I found the dial screen registers the numbers more reliably. Also, when you do get through to the PIN prompt, wait for the entire message to finish before entering your number - I was jumping in too early and the system wasn't ready to receive input. One last thing - if you have an older phone or landline available, definitely try that. I switched from my smartphone to my mom's old landline and got through on the second try. The sound quality was much clearer and the system seemed to process my PIN without any issues. Hang in there everyone - this system is absolutely broken but these workarounds really do help!

I've been dealing with this same nightmare for the past week! After trying everything mentioned here, what finally worked for me was a combination approach: I called at exactly 8:00 AM on a Tuesday using an old landline from my neighbor's house, entered my PIN super slowly with 2-second pauses, and made sure to wait for the complete prompt before entering anything. It took three attempts but I finally got through! For anyone still struggling, I also discovered that if you get the "system error" message, sometimes hanging up immediately and calling back within 30 seconds puts you in a different queue - not sure why but it worked twice for me. Also want to echo what others said about documentation - I kept a detailed log of every call attempt with timestamps and error messages, which gave me peace of mind knowing I had proof of the technical issues if I needed to file late. This whole situation is absolutely ridiculous but don't give up - between all the strategies shared in this thread, something will eventually work!

I went through this exact situation about 18 months ago and want to share what I learned. First, don't ignore that 30-day window - it's crucial. I initially panicked and almost let the deadline pass, which would have been a huge mistake. The "fraud penalties" designation is often applied automatically by their system when there's any discrepancy in reporting, even if it was genuinely unintentional. I was able to get mine reduced from $3,400 to $1,800 by appealing and providing documentation that showed I had misunderstood the reporting requirements for part-time work while collecting benefits. The appeals process took about 4 months, but it was worth it. Even if you end up owing something, getting those fraud penalties removed can save you a significant amount. My advice: call them immediately to discuss your options, gather any documentation you have from that time period (pay stubs, work schedules, emails with employers), and don't be afraid to appeal if you genuinely believe it was an error. The system is definitely flawed, but there are ways to fight back if you're persistent.

I'm going through this exact situation right now and it's so overwhelming! Reading through everyone's experiences here has been both terrifying and helpful. I received my overpayment notice about 10 days ago for $2,100 with fraud penalties, and I've been losing sleep over it. Like many of you, I honestly thought I was following the rules correctly when reporting my part-time work while collecting benefits. The worst part is trying to get someone on the phone - I've called probably 15 times and either get disconnected or stuck on hold for hours. I'm definitely going to try the early morning calling strategy that several people mentioned. Has anyone had success with requesting detailed documentation from NYS DOL about exactly how they calculated the overpayment? I feel like I need to understand their math before I can decide whether to appeal or just set up payments. This whole system seems designed to intimidate people into just paying without questioning anything.

Whatever you do, don't just walk out without notice. That could hurt your case. Give proper notice if possible and document your reasons in writing when you submit it. Also make sure you apply for benefits immediately after your last day - there's no waiting period requirement but the sooner you file the better.

I went through this exact situation last year and was able to get unemployment after quitting due to a hostile work environment. The key things that helped my case were: 1) I documented every incident with dates and details in a journal, 2) I reported the issues to HR in writing and kept copies of their responses (or lack thereof), 3) I had a coworker willing to be a witness, and 4) I saw my doctor about stress-related symptoms and got that documented. NYS Department of Labor initially denied my claim but I appealed and won after presenting all this evidence. The whole process took about 6 weeks from filing to getting my first payment. Start documenting everything NOW if you haven't already - even if you decide not to quit, having that paper trail could be important later.

I just went through this process about 6 weeks ago after getting laid off from my marketing job. My timeline was pretty typical - initial claim took about 2.5 weeks to get approved, then I received my first payment within 4 days after that. The most important thing I learned is what Yara mentioned about filing your weekly certifications right away. I almost missed this and would have lost out on benefits for those weeks. Also, make sure you have all your employer information 100% accurate (company name exactly as it appears on your W2, correct dates, etc.) because even small discrepancies can trigger a manual review that adds weeks to the process. For budgeting purposes, I'd plan for 3-4 weeks to be safe, but many people do get approved in the 2-3 week range like Zainab mentioned.

Hey Miguel! I just went through this process about 3 months ago when my company did layoffs. My experience was pretty similar to what others have shared - took about 2.5 weeks for my initial claim to get approved. One thing I wish I had known earlier is that you can check your claim status online through the NYS DOL portal, and they'll send you a determination letter (either by mail or electronically) once they make a decision. Since you filed last Monday, I'd expect to hear something by the end of next week or early the week after. For your rent situation, you might want to reach out to your landlord now to let them know about the timing - many are understanding about unemployment delays if you communicate upfront. Also echoing what others said about filing your weekly certifications immediately - don't wait for approval!