also make sure you're filing your weekly claims even if your initial claim is still pending! i made that mistake and it delayed everything even more

I just went through this same process last month! Here's what helped me: Once you're logged into my.ny.gov, look for the "Unemployment Services" section, then click on "UI Online Services." From there you should see options like "Claim Summary" and "Payment History" - that's where your status will show up. Mine showed "Pending - Adjudication" for about 2 weeks before it got approved. And yes, definitely start filing your weekly claims right away even while it's pending - you can't go back and claim those weeks later if you miss them. The whole process is frustrating but hang in there!

One thing I haven't seen mentioned is that you should also consider applying for other assistance programs while waiting for your unemployment benefits to start. Things like SNAP (food stamps) and emergency rental assistance can help bridge the gap if your first payment is delayed. The NYC Human Resources Administration has emergency cash assistance too if you're in the city. I know it's not ideal, but it's better to have backup options than to stress about making rent. Also, if you're worried about the timeline, you could try reaching out to your landlord early to explain the situation - many are understanding about unemployment delays, especially if you've been a good tenant. Good luck with everything!

Just want to add my experience from last year - I was making around $52k when I got laid off and ended up getting $498 weekly in benefits. The calculation they use is pretty straightforward once you understand it, but like everyone said, the website makes it way more confusing than it needs to be. One thing that really helped me was setting up direct deposit right away during the application process. My first payment took about 2.5 weeks to arrive, but after that they came like clockwork every Tuesday. If you choose to get a debit card instead, I heard it can add a few extra days to each payment. Also, start looking for work immediately even while your claim is processing - not just because of the work search requirements, but because the job market moves fast and you don't want to get rusty. I ended up finding a new position after 8 weeks and actually felt more prepared for interviews because I had been actively networking the whole time. The unemployment benefits gave me the financial cushion to be selective and find something better than my previous job.

I just went through this exact same situation two months ago and it was absolutely maddening! Got a new phone, forgot to transfer Google Authenticator properly, and got completely locked out right before I needed to certify. Here's what finally worked after a week of trying everything: The 844-891-1786 number that everyone's mentioning is legit - that's the NY.GOV ID tech support line. But here's the trick: don't just call at 7:30am. I had better luck calling at 7:29am and staying on the line when they opened. Sometimes the queue fills up instantly at 7:30. When you do get through (and you will eventually), have EVERYTHING ready: full name, DOB, SSN, current address, phone number, email, when you first filed your claim, your weekly benefit amount, and if you have it, your claim confirmation number from your original approval letter. The reset process took about 35 minutes once I got connected. They'll walk you through setting up new MFA and make sure to get ALL the backup options - SMS backup to your phone, email backup, AND print out those recovery codes they give you. One thing nobody mentioned - if you're really desperate, some local libraries have computer help desks and librarians who are surprisingly good at navigating government websites. Mine helped me figure out which forms to fill out while I was waiting to get through on the phone. Don't give up! The system is broken but there are real people who can fix it once you reach them. And definitely use that phone certification number in the meantime so you don't lose your payments.

I've been helping people with NY unemployment tech issues for years and want to add a few things that might help: First, the Google Authenticator phone transfer issue is SUPER common - you're definitely not alone. When you get a new device, the app doesn't automatically sync your accounts like other apps do. Here's what I've seen work consistently: 1. **Best calling strategy**: Call 844-891-1786 at 7:28am and stay on hold. Don't hang up even if you get the "high volume" message. I've seen people get through after 45+ minutes on hold when calling right before they open. 2. **Have your claim details ready**: They'll definitely ask for your weekly benefit amount, claim start date, and last employer info for verification. If you have your original determination letter, keep it handy. 3. **Multiple backup methods are crucial**: When they reset your MFA, you can set up SMS backup, email backup, AND get recovery codes. Do all three! I can't stress this enough. 4. **Time sync matters**: Make sure your phone's time is set to automatic before trying any authenticator codes. Even being off by a minute will cause codes to fail. Also, that claimyr.com service people mentioned is legit - I've referred several people to it when they couldn't get through after multiple days. It's not cheap but sometimes worth it to avoid missing payments. Don't give up! The system is frustrating but fixable once you reach the right person.

same here! been doing mostly online apps but wasn't sure if they were good enough

Online applications are definitely valid! I've been filing claims for 6 months now and the NYS Department of Labor accepts any legitimate job search activity. Besides online apps through Indeed, LinkedIn, company websites, etc., you can also count things like: updating your resume on job sites, attending virtual job fairs, reaching out to recruiters on LinkedIn, or even informational interviews with people in your field. The key is documenting everything - I keep a spreadsheet with company name, position, date, and method of contact. As long as you're actively searching and can show 3 genuine attempts per week, you should be fine.

Just wanted to follow up - were you able to get through using any of these methods? The waiting week credit issue is specifically mentioned in DOL guidance as requiring specialist assistance, which is why it forces you into the phone queue. For those still struggling, document each call attempt (date/time) in case you need to show you were actively trying to resolve the issue.

I'm dealing with the exact same waiting week issue right now! It's so frustrating that they force you to call for something that should be automated. Reading through all these suggestions gives me hope though. I'm going to try the Wednesday 10:30am strategy first since that seems like solid insider info, and if that doesn't work I'll definitely look into Claimyr. The fact that multiple people here got through using different methods makes me feel like there's actually a light at the end of the tunnel. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - this community is a lifesaver when dealing with these government systems!