Final update: I finally got through to someone! The agent explained that because I had worked and earned enough since my last claim, I was eligible for a new claim even though my benefit year wasn't over. They had to manually override something in the system to let me file a new claim. My weekly benefit amount is higher now too because I was making more at my recent job. Thanks everyone for your help!

This is such a helpful thread! I'm dealing with something similar right now - got laid off last week and the system won't let me file a new claim. Based on what everyone's shared here, it sounds like calling directly is the way to go when the website gets stuck in these loops. @Donna Cline glad you got it sorted out! Did you end up using the callback service or were you able to get through on the regular phone line?

I'm 65 and currently collecting social security, and I was just laid off from my part-time administrative assistant position last week. Reading through everyone's responses here has been incredibly helpful - I had no idea you could collect both benefits simultaneously! I was actually afraid to apply for unemployment because I thought it might somehow affect my social security payments. It's reassuring to hear from so many people who have successfully navigated this situation. I'm planning to file my claim online this week since it sounds like that's much more reliable than trying to call. One question though - for the work search requirements, are there any age-friendly job search resources that people have found particularly helpful? I want to make sure I'm meeting the 3 weekly activities requirement effectively.

I'm 63 and went through this same situation about 8 months ago when I got laid off from my part-time job at a medical office. Just wanted to add my voice to confirm - yes, you can absolutely collect both social security and unemployment in New York! I was nervous about it too at first, but the NYS Department of Labor representative I eventually spoke with was very clear that there's no conflict. The process was actually pretty straightforward once I got started. I filed online, reported my social security income on the weekly certifications (they do reduce your UI benefits by 50% of your SS income as others mentioned), and kept up with my job search requirements. I collected benefits for about 4 months before finding a new part-time position. The hardest part was honestly just getting over my own hesitation to apply - I wish I had done it sooner! Don't let anyone make you feel like you're doing something wrong by claiming what you're entitled to.

You might also want to try logging into your NY.gov account early in the morning (like 6-7 AM) when their system tends to be more responsive. I've noticed the portal works better during off-peak hours. Also, make sure you're looking under "Unemployment Insurance" and then "Documents" or "Correspondence" - sometimes the verification letters are filed under different sections than you'd expect. If all else fails, you can also try visiting a local Department of Labor office in person with your ID and they can usually print one on the spot.

I went through this exact situation a few months ago for my lease renewal. What worked for me was sending a message through the secure messaging system in my.ny.gov asking specifically for a "benefit verification letter for housing purposes." I included my full name, SSN, and mentioned it was urgent for a rental application. They responded within 3 business days with the letter attached as a PDF. The key is being very specific about what type of verification you need and why. If you don't get a response within a week, then I'd recommend trying the phone route or visiting in person as others suggested.

I've been through the NY unemployment system twice (2023 and 2024) and learned the hard way about documentation. Here's my current system that's bulletproof: 1. **Weekly folder structure**: I create a new folder each week labeled "Week of [date]" with subfolders for applications, confirmations, and follow-ups. 2. **Real-time logging**: I fill out the WS5 form AS I apply, not at the end of the week. This prevents forgetting details. 3. **Activity diversification**: Monday = online applications, Wednesday = networking/LinkedIn outreach, Friday = skills development or job fair research. This ensures I hit different activity types. 4. **Screenshot everything**: Application confirmations, job posting pages, email receipts, even LinkedIn connection requests. If there's no confirmation page, I screenshot the "application submitted" message. 5. **Follow-up tracking**: I set calendar reminders to follow up on applications after 1 week, which counts as additional activity. The most important thing I learned: treat this like a part-time job. Spend 2-3 hours each day on legitimate job search activities and document EVERYTHING in real-time. It's way easier than trying to reconstruct weeks of activity later. Also, pro tip: the NY DOL considers informational interviews as networking activities. Reach out to people in your field for 15-minute coffee chats - it's great for job searching AND counts toward your requirements.

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I just finished setting up my documentation system based on everyone's advice. I'm using the WS5 form as my primary tracker and created a Google Drive folder with weekly subfolders like Seraphina suggested. One thing I learned from calling the DOL (finally got through after 2 hours on hold): they said keeping both digital AND physical copies is ideal in case of technical issues during submission. They also confirmed that volunteer work related to your field can count as a networking activity if you're making professional connections. For anyone still worried about past weeks - the agent told me they understand people don't always know the requirements upfront. They look more favorably on claimants who show they're making genuine efforts to find work, even if early documentation is incomplete. The key is being honest and proactive. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - this community is a lifesaver when the official resources are so hard to navigate!

I just want to say how grateful I am for this entire discussion thread! I've been dealing with a hold on my claim for about a week now and was getting really worried that I had made some serious mistake in my application. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly reassuring - it's clear that holds are much more common than I realized and are often just routine administrative reviews rather than actual problems. The consistent advice about calling at exactly 8 AM and continuing to file weekly certifications even during the hold is so valuable. I was actually considering skipping my weekly filing this week thinking it was pointless while on hold, but now I understand that would be a huge mistake for getting backpay later. It's amazing how much peace of mind comes from hearing real experiences from people who've been through this exact situation and came out fine on the other side. I'm setting my alarm for 7:55 AM tomorrow to try the early morning call strategy. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their stories - this community support makes such a difference when dealing with the stress and uncertainty of unemployment issues!

I'm dealing with this exact same situation right now and this thread has been incredibly helpful! My claim has been on hold for 8 days and I was starting to worry that I had done something wrong with my application. Reading everyone's experiences here really shows how common these holds are - it sounds like they can happen for routine audits, job search verification, wage reviews, or just random eligibility checks. The consistent advice about calling right at 8 AM and continuing to file weekly certifications during the hold is invaluable. I almost made the mistake of skipping this week's filing thinking it was pointless while on hold, but now I understand that would prevent me from getting backpay once this resolves. It's so reassuring to hear from people who waited 2-3 weeks but then got everything sorted out with full backpay. I'm definitely going to try the early morning calling strategy tomorrow with my SSN and claim number ready. Thank you to everyone who shared their stories - knowing that others have been through this exact stressful experience and came out fine really helps with the anxiety!