Just went through this exact nightmare myself last month! After reading through all these suggestions, here's what finally worked for me: I combined the mobile site approach with the early morning timing (around 5 AM) and used Firefox in private mode with ALL extensions disabled. The key was having every single piece of information written down beforehand - employment dates, addresses, SSN, bank info, etc. - so I could fill everything out without any pauses or navigation. What really saved me though was realizing that the desktop site and mobile site are completely different systems. When the desktop version kept crashing at the identity verification step, the mobile version (m.ny.gov) actually let me upload my documents successfully. Also make sure you're on a stable wifi connection, not cellular data, especially for the file uploads. If you're still stuck after trying these technical fixes, honestly the callback services like Claimyr that people mentioned here do work. I was super skeptical but desperate, and they got me connected to an actual DOL agent who found a backend flag on my account that was causing all the crashes. Sometimes it's not the website itself but account-level issues that only a human can fix. Don't give up! This system is intentionally frustrating but beatable with the right strategy. You've earned these benefits and deserve them! 💪

I just went through this EXACT same ordeal a few weeks ago! After fighting the NY unemployment website for almost a month, I finally got through using a combination of strategies people have mentioned here. What worked for me was switching to the mobile site (m.ny.gov) at around 4 AM using Safari in private browsing mode with a VPN to get a fresh IP address. The key insight that saved me was realizing my account had some kind of backend flag that was causing the crashes - no amount of browser troubleshooting was going to fix it. I ended up using Claimyr after being skeptical for weeks, and they got me connected to a live DOL agent who cleared the flag in literally 5 minutes. Turned out my previous employer had submitted conflicting information that was causing the system to error out every time I tried to submit. My advice: try the technical fixes first (mobile site, off-peak hours, clean browser), but if you're still crashing after a week of attempts, there's probably an account-level issue that only a human can resolve. Don't waste months like I did thinking it was just the website being glitchy - sometimes you need that direct agent contact to get unstuck. Hang in there! The system is absolutely broken but it IS beatable with persistence and the right approach.

One thing to keep in mind is that your benefit amount will also depend on when you earned that $65k - they look at your "base period" which is typically the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you file. So if you file now, they'd look at your earnings from roughly Q1 2024 through Q4 2024. If you had periods of lower earnings or gaps in employment during that time, it could affect your weekly benefit amount even if your most recent salary was $65k.

Just wanted to add that you should file as soon as possible since there's usually a one-week waiting period before you start receiving benefits. Also, make sure you have all your employment records ready - they'll need your W-2s or pay stubs from the base period to verify your earnings. The sooner you get everything submitted correctly, the faster they can process your claim and calculate your exact weekly benefit amount. Good luck with your job search!

The NYS Department of Labor will look at whether you willfully violated company policy or if there were circumstances beyond your control. Health issues that prevent you from working are usually considered beyond your control. Make sure you have documentation ready in case they request it during the adjudication process. Also keep doing your job search activities while you wait for the decision on your claim.

I went through something similar - was discharged for attendance issues related to a chronic condition. The NYS Department of Labor approved my claim because I was able to show that my absences were health-related and not willful misconduct. Key things that helped me: 1) I was honest about the discharge reason when filing, 2) I had medical documentation ready (even partial records help), and 3) I emphasized that I intended to return to work and wasn't abandoning the job. The adjudication took about 4-5 weeks but it was worth the wait. Don't let the discharge discourage you from applying - you have a good chance of approval given the medical circumstances.

Reading through all these comments makes me realize I'm not going crazy - the NYS Department of Labor system really is as broken as it feels when you're in the middle of it. I've been unemployed for 2 months now and honestly, dealing with their bureaucracy has become more stressful than the actual job loss. The constant uncertainty about whether my benefits will come through, the hours spent on hold only to be disconnected, the confusing forms that seem designed to trip you up - it's like they've turned getting help into a full-time nightmare. What really bothers me is how this system is supposed to be there for people during one of the most vulnerable times in their lives, but instead it adds this whole extra layer of anxiety and frustration. I shouldn't have to become an expert in government bureaucracy just to access benefits I paid into when I was working. The real "problem of unemployment" isn't just being out of work - it's having to fight tooth and nail with the very system that's supposed to help you get back on your feet.

What really struck me reading through everyone's experiences is how the NYS Department of Labor system seems to create this psychological burden that goes way beyond the financial stress of unemployment. I'm dealing with my first unemployment claim right now and I keep second-guessing myself - did I fill out that form correctly? Am I meeting the job search requirements the right way? Did I report my freelance income properly? The constant anxiety about making a mistake that could jeopardize my benefits is exhausting. It's like they've designed the system to make you feel guilty for needing help in the first place. I find myself spending hours double-checking everything because I'm terrified of triggering some review process that will delay my benefits even longer. The irony is that this mental energy could be much better spent on actually finding a new job, which is supposedly what the system is trying to encourage. Has anyone else found themselves in this constant state of anxiety about whether they're "doing unemployment right"?

I was in your exact same position last year - totally clueless about the tax implications and stressed about making the wrong choice! After going through it, I can tell you that choosing the withholding option was absolutely the right call. Here's what I wish someone had told me upfront: unemployment benefits are taxed just like regular income, so every dollar you receive will be subject to both federal and NY state taxes. The 10% federal withholding they offer will handle a good chunk of your federal tax obligation, but you'll likely still owe NY state taxes (usually around 4-8% depending on your income level). When I calculated it out, I received about $8,000 in benefits over 4 months, and without any withholding I would have owed roughly $1,200 in total taxes. With the 10% federal withholding, I only ended up owing about $300 at tax time - so much more manageable! The peace of mind alone is worth getting those smaller weekly payments. Plus, if you end up finding work quickly, you'll still be glad you had some taxes withheld since all those unemployment benefits count as taxable income for the year regardless of when you received them.

I just went through this decision myself a few months back and completely understand your confusion! The NYS Department of Labor website doesn't explain it very clearly. Here's my advice based on what I learned: absolutely choose the withholding option. Unemployment benefits are fully taxable income at both federal and state levels. The 10% federal withholding won't cover everything you'll owe (you'll still likely owe NY state taxes), but it makes a HUGE difference. I received about $12,000 in benefits over 5 months, and without any withholding I would have owed around $1,800 total in taxes. With the 10% federal withholding, I only owed about $400 at tax time. That $400 was manageable - $1,800 all at once would have been devastating. Think of it as paying taxes as you go rather than getting hit with a massive bill later. You can always change your withholding preference later through your online account if needed, but I'd strongly recommend starting with it. The slightly smaller weekly payments are so worth avoiding that tax season panic!