I got laid off from my retail job last month and filed for unemployment right away. My claim shows as 'pending' and there's an issue they need to verify about my employment history. I've been calling the main number every single day for the past two weeks and it's absolutely impossible to get through. Either I get disconnected immediately or I'm on hold for hours until the system automatically hangs up at 5pm. I've tried calling exactly when they open at 8am, tried mid-day, tried different days of the week... nothing works! I sent messages through the online portal but haven't heard anything back. My rent is due next week and I'm getting desperate. Does anyone know a different number I could try or some trick to actually talk to a human being there?

I got a weird letter in the mail yesterday from NY unemployment saying my benefits were approved, but I never applied! I haven't been unemployed - I've been working at the same company for over 2 years. Called my HR department and they confirmed nobody filed anything on their end. Tried calling the unemployment office this morning and was on hold for almost 2 hours before the call dropped. Tried again and couldn't even get through. The letter says they're paying out around $380 weekly to someone using my name and social security number starting in October. This is really freaking me out because I don't know how someone got my information or what else they might be doing with it. Has anyone dealt with this before? Do I need to file a police report? Will this mess up my taxes? I'm completely lost on what to do next.

Filed for unemployment back in April after my company downsized. I started getting my benefits in May but I'm confused about the tax part on those automated phone menus. When I call into the system and the robot asks me questions, there's this option to press 4 for "unemployment taxes" and I'm not sure if that means I want them to withhold taxes from my benefits or not. I don't want to end up owing a bunch of money next tax season but also don't want to mess up my claim. Anyone know if pressing 4 means they'll take taxes out? I've been just skipping that part because I'm afraid of messing something up and having my payments stopped. My weekly benefit is about $460 if that matters.

I just lost my job last week due to a massive layoff at my company. Been trying to figure out this whole unemployment thing for the first time. I created an NY.gov account and verified my identity through ID.me on Monday. Thought that meant I was all set to receive benefits, but now I'm realizing I might have missed something. My friend who got laid off on the same day said I need to actually submit a claim after the ID verification. But when I log back in, there's no clear option for applying for benefits - just my verified account info. Can someone please tell me if verifying my identity automatically applies me for unemployment benefits or do I need to take additional steps? I've been relying on this money coming through next week since my savings are pretty thin after the holidays. Getting pretty stressed about this whole process.

My partner discovered someone used his identity to file for unemployment benefits back in March 2021. He immediately reported it as fraud and opened a case with NY unemployment. Fast forward to today - it's been almost a FULL YEAR and his case is still "under investigation." Every single time he calls, they give him the same robotic response that his case is "pending review." Not one single payment has been released to him despite being legitimately eligible. The backpay has accumulated to around $36,000 at this point. It seems ridiculous that verifying someone's identity takes this long! I'm starting to think they're deliberately stalling because the amount has gotten so large. Has anyone dealt with this? Any advice on breaking through this endless cycle? Who can he contact that might actually help resolve this mess?