Just wanted to update - my claim was approved! Looks like sending both the photo and scan wasn't an issue at all. Thanks everyone for helping calm my nerves!

Quick question to piggyback on this thread - do they accept digital W2s from tax prep services? I don't have a paper copy of mine anymore...

so what happend with your case? did they approve you yet?

That's awesome news! So happy for you! Makes me feel better about the system knowing it worked out eventually.

So frustrating!!! I got excited when I heard about this from my neighbor. I'm barely making ends meet with the current benefit amount, I was hoping there was some extra help coming. Why would they spread fake news about this? Got my hopes up for nothing!

Just to be 100% clear for everyone in this thread: • There is NO new stimulus payment for unemployment recipients • The NY Child Tax Credit is for tax filers with dependent children • Some UI recipients may receive retroactive payments if their claims were incorrectly calculated • Regular UI benefits in NY still have a maximum duration of 26 weeks • The maximum weekly benefit amount remains $594 for 2025 If you're struggling to reach someone at DOL to resolve issues with your existing claim, consider using a service like Claimyr to get through the phone lines. I've recommended it to several people who were stuck in claim limbo.

My friend just went through this exact situation last month. After weeks of calling and getting nowhere, she actually got through by using that Claimyr service someone mentioned above. She said it was worth it because the agent was able to see that her ID verification had actually been approved internally but hadn't updated in the system. They fixed it while she was on the phone and her status changed to approved the next day. I think the bigger issue is that the new ID.me system isn't communicating properly with the main NYSDOL system. Sometimes the verification goes through on the ID.me side but doesn't register correctly with unemployment. That's why talking to an actual agent who can check both systems is so important.

I had a pending ID verification that took forever too! But here's what finally worked for me: I found an email address for the ID verification department directly: NYSIDverify@labor.ny.gov (not the general unemployment email). I sent them an email with my claim ID in the subject line, and attached copies of my documents again. Got a response within 2 days saying they were expediting my verification, and it was approved 3 days later. Not sure if this email still works (this was in February) but might be worth trying!

Here's my advice after helping many people with NY unemployment claims:\n\n1. Apply immediately - don't wait until September\n2. When asked why you delayed filing, be honest that you thought you'd find work quickly\n3. Start documenting your work search activities going forward (3 per week minimum)\n4. Try to gather evidence of past job search efforts if possible\n5. Be prepared for possible follow-up questions about your gap in filing\n\nBased on your work history (all of 2024 and January 2025), you should meet the wage requirements if you had standard employment with regular wages.

Thank you so much. This is incredibly helpful. I'm going to apply today and follow all your advice.