Good point about the contractor vs employee classification! @Dmitry, you mentioned your paystubs showed NY state taxes being deducted, which is a good sign that you were properly classified as an employee. If you were a contractor, you typically wouldn't have had state taxes automatically withheld. You can double-check by looking at whether you received a W-2 or 1099 form for tax purposes - W-2 means employee status and you should be good to file for UI benefits.

Just want to emphasize what others have said - definitely file with NYS Department of Labor since you've been working from Buffalo. I went through this exact situation a few months ago (remote work for an out-of-state company) and NYS processed my claim without any issues. One tip: when you file online, make sure to clearly indicate that you were working remotely from New York in the work location section. It helps avoid any confusion during the review process. The whole application took me about 45 minutes to complete, and I started receiving benefits within 2 weeks.

I'm so sorry you're going through this - dealing with a toxic manager while worrying about finances is incredibly stressful. Based on what others have shared, it sounds like you might have a case for "good cause" resignation, but you'll need solid documentation. The daily stress headaches are actually significant - definitely see a doctor and be explicit that they're work-related. Start keeping a detailed incident log immediately with dates, times, and specific examples of the toxic behavior. Save any problematic emails or messages. Also consider filing complaints with HR first (even if they don't help) as it shows you tried internal channels before quitting. Many people here have successfully gotten benefits after initially being denied, so don't give up if you get rejected at first. The appeal process exists for situations exactly like yours. Your health is more important than any job, but make sure you're strategic about building your case before you make any moves. You've been paying into this system for 2 years - you deserve those benefits if you're being constructively dismissed.

I've been following this thread and there's such great advice here. One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is that you might want to check if your employer has any written policies about workplace conduct or harassment in your employee handbook. If your manager's behavior violates company policies, that can actually strengthen your "good cause" case significantly. NYS DOL looks more favorably on resignations when employers aren't following their own stated policies. Also, if you decide to quit, make sure your resignation letter specifically mentions the toxic work environment and references the documented incidents - don't just say "I'm resigning for personal reasons" or they might use that against you. Keep it factual but make it clear you're leaving because of unacceptable working conditions. And remember, even if you get initially denied, the appeal process gives you a real chance to present your case to a judge who will actually listen to your evidence. Document everything now while it's happening, see a doctor about those stress symptoms, and don't let them push you out without fighting for the benefits you've earned through 2 years of contributions.

update us if u fix it! i bet its the address thing

UPDATE: I got it fixed!!! It WAS the address mismatch between my license and unemployment account. I contacted ID.me support directly like @HelpfulCareerPro suggested and they told me exactly what was wrong. Had to upload additional proof of address (utility bill) but finally got verified! Already completed my recertification for this week. Thank you everyone for your help!!!

This thread is such a lifesaver! I'm dealing with a denial right now too and was completely overwhelmed trying to figure out what went wrong. The explanation about A02 codes and base period calculations makes so much more sense than the generic denial language they send. I had no idea there was an alternate base period option or that you could request wage transcripts to verify everything was reported correctly. One thing I wanted to add that might help others - when I was researching this, I found that NY also has a "Telephone Claims Center" number (1-888-209-8124) specifically for people who need help understanding their determinations or filing appeals. The wait times are still brutal, but at least it's a direct line for claims issues rather than the general customer service number. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and breaking down all these options - it's given me so much hope that this denial isn't the end of the road!

I'm dealing with a very similar situation and this entire discussion has been incredibly eye-opening! Got my A02 denial about a week ago and was completely baffled by the vague explanation. Like many others here, I started a new job partway through 2024 (May in my case) and filed after being laid off in January 2025, so the base period issue makes perfect sense now. What I found particularly helpful was the advice about checking for SSN or employer reporting errors - that's something I never would have thought to verify. I'm planning to request the wage transcript first to see exactly what's in my record, then file my appeal with specific requests for the alternate base period calculation and a detailed breakdown of how they computed my wages. One question for those who've been through this process - is it better to file the written appeal first and then follow up with phone calls, or should I try calling that dedicated number (1-888-209-8124) before submitting paperwork? I want to make sure I'm approaching this in the most effective way possible. Thanks everyone for turning what felt like a hopeless situation into something I can actually tackle with confidence!

Had the exact same problem last week! What finally worked for me was using a different device entirely - tried on my phone instead of laptop and it went through. Also make sure you're not using any browser extensions or ad blockers, they can mess with the site's javascript. If you're still stuck, definitely try the early morning trick @Lim Wong mentioned - got through at 6:30am on my second try. The system is trash but don't give up, you got this! 💪

Just went through this nightmare last month! The NY DOL website is absolutely broken. What ended up working for me was using my phone's mobile browser in incognito/private mode instead of my computer. Also had to disable all my browser extensions and turn off my VPN. Took like 6 tries but finally got through around 7am on a Tuesday. Pro tip: have all your employment info written down beforehand - dates, employer addresses, reason for separation, etc. That way if it crashes you can zip through the form faster on your next attempt. Don't let this system beat you, keep pushing! The benefits are worth the headache 💪 If all else fails, calling first thing Monday morning at 8am sharp gives you the best shot at getting through to a human who can help.