I found out someone used my identity to file for unemployment back in August! I only discovered this when I got laid off last month from my job in construction and tried to apply for benefits myself. When I called ny unemployment, they told me my SSN already had an active claim since August, receiving weekly payments of $570 that I never saw a penny of. Now they've frozen everything and sent me to their fraud department. I've been waiting 3 weeks with zero income while they 'investigate'. I filed a police report, contacted credit bureaus, and even went to the unemployment office in person but they just say I have to wait. Anyone dealt with this before? How long am I supposed to survive with no money coming in? I have rent due next week and my savings are almost gone.

Hit a massive pothole while riding my motorcycle about three weeks ago and seriously messed up my knee. Doctor says I'll be out of work for at least another month, maybe two. My job doesn't offer any kind of short-term disability insurance and I'm burning through my savings fast. Can I apply for unemployment benefits in New York while I recover? I've never filed before and don't know if this qualifies since I technically still have a job, just can't physically do it right now. Has anyone dealt with something similar? Bills are piling up and I'm starting to panic a little.

Been dealing with this nightmare since August when I was unfairly fired from my job. Started a new position in December, but I'm still fighting to get my rightful benefits from those 4 months. Someone filed fraudulent claims using my information, and I've been going back and forth with ny unemployment about it for what feels like forever. Had to submit all kinds of identity verification, police reports, the whole nine yards. Yesterday, an agent told me payment was finally processed and should hit my account by Friday. My online account finally changed from showing all zeros to actual payment amounts today. Has anyone been through this before? Can I actually trust that the money is coming, or is this just another false hope? Really need this backpay to cover the debts I racked up during those months.

I'm seven months pregnant and was recently put on leave from my full-time job. My employer told me to file for unemployment while I'm waiting for my baby to arrive. I completed the id.me verification about 3 weeks ago and the id.me people assured me that everything was good to go. But when I try to log into my NY unemployment account, I keep getting an error message saying there's a problem with my account. I've been trying to reach someone at unemployment since late August - we're now in October and I'm running out of options. I've called every phone number I could find, and either can't get through at all or get disconnected as soon as I reach someone. My bills are piling up and my baby is due in December. Does anyone know another number I can call where I might actually reach a person? Or any way to fix this login issue without having to talk to someone? Getting really desperate here as my savings are almost gone.

Been trying to reach ny unemployment for 3 weeks now about my claim that got flagged for 'identity verification' even though I've been on unemployment since December. Every time I call, I spend hours listening to the stupid automated system just to get disconnected. Tried calling at 8am, 10am, 2pm, and 4:30pm but same result every time. The website is useless too - keeps sending me in circles and says 'call the office' whenever I try to upload my ID documents. I've sent like 5 emails through their contact form but just get generic auto-replies. I'm missing almost $2,400 in payments now and my rent is past due. This is beyond frustrating. Has anyone actually gotten through to a real person recently? Any secret numbers or tricks?