UPDATE: I finally got through!!! I tried calling right at 8am like suggested but still couldn't get through. Then I tried that Claimyr service someone mentioned here and got connected to an agent within 15 minutes. The agent was super helpful and said my account was flagged because I had accidentally entered my apartment number differently on two forms (I put "3B" on one and "Apt 3B" on another 🤦‍♀️). She verified my identity right on the phone and said my payments should resume in 24-48 hours! She also said all my pending payments from the last two weeks will be released at once. Thank you everyone for all your advice!!!

So glad to see this got resolved! This thread is incredibly helpful - I'm bookmarking it in case I ever run into similar issues. The fact that "3B" vs "Apt 3B" triggered a fraud flag is absolutely ridiculous, but at least there are workarounds like calling at 8am sharp or using services like Claimyr. For anyone else reading this in the future: it sounds like the key things are 1) be super consistent with how you write your address on ALL forms, 2) upload clear PDF documents instead of phone photos, 3) keep certifying even when payments are pending, and 4) update your NY.gov ID info to match your unemployment account. Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences here - this kind of community knowledge is invaluable when dealing with these broken government systems!

I had a similar experience recently - unemployment benefits definitely count as income for marketplace applications. One tip I'd add is to keep track of any temporary earnings you might have while collecting UI (like gig work or part-time jobs) since those need to be reported too. When I applied through NY State of Health, I used my weekly benefit amount multiplied by the number of weeks I expected to collect, plus any other income sources. The application actually has a specific field for unemployment compensation, so they make it pretty clear it needs to be included. Also worth noting that if your income estimate changes significantly (like if you find work sooner than expected), you can log back in and update it to avoid issues at tax time.

I actually just completed my NY State of Health application a couple weeks ago while on unemployment and can share what worked for me. The key thing is being as accurate as possible with your income projection. I calculated my weekly UI benefit ($385/week) times the number of weeks I expected to receive it, which in my case was about 20 more weeks since I'd already been collecting for 8 weeks. So I estimated around $7,700 for the remainder of the year from unemployment. Then I added a conservative estimate for potential part-time work I might pick up ($3,000) for a total of about $10,700. The application was pretty straightforward once I had those numbers ready. One thing that helped was having my most recent NYS Department of Labor benefit statement on hand when filling it out. Also, don't stress too much about being perfectly precise - you can always adjust later if your situation changes, and they expect some variation between your estimate and actual income at tax time.

@Malik Thompson, you're definitely eligible! I went through this same situation at 64 when my company downsized. The application process was straightforward - no age-related questions at all. Just make sure you have your employment history ready (pay stubs, employer info) and be prepared to show you're actively seeking work. The weekly job search requirement is the same for everyone - I think it's 3 job contacts per week. Don't let age discrimination concerns stop you from applying for jobs either - your experience is valuable! Good luck with your application.

@Malik Thompson, I'm 69 and successfully collected unemployment for 6 months last year after being let go from my retail management position. The process was exactly the same as when I filed claims in my 40s - no age-related barriers whatsoever. One thing I'd add to what others have mentioned: make sure you're genuinely open to different types of work opportunities, as the DOL may ask about your job search strategy during phone interviews. I found that emphasizing my willingness to learn new skills and adapt to different industries helped demonstrate I was serious about finding employment, not just going through the motions. Also, keep detailed records of your job search activities - it makes the weekly certification process much smoother. You've got this!

@OP - any updates? Were you able to get this resolved?

Just wanted to add another perspective - I'm currently dealing with this same identity verification nightmare and it's been 5 weeks for me. What's really frustrating is that different agents seem to give different information when you finally do get through. One told me it takes 2-3 weeks, another said 6-8 weeks, and a third said they couldn't see any timeline at all. The inconsistency is maddening when you're trying to plan your finances. I'm going to try the state representative route based on what people are saying here. Has anyone had luck with contacting the governor's office directly, or is that a waste of time?

I recently helped my sister navigate this process when her small retail shop employer suddenly closed in February. From what we learned, NYS Department of Labor's verification is pretty comprehensive but also designed to handle situations exactly like yours. They have access to the State Wage Reporting System where employers file quarterly wage reports, so your employment history should show up automatically when you apply. The key thing that helped my sister was keeping her final paystub and any communication she had about the business closing (even text messages from coworkers mentioning the closure). Since business closure is considered involuntary termination, you're in a good position eligibility-wise. One practical tip - when you file online, there's usually a section where you can upload documents. Include your paystubs and W-2 there, and in the comments section mention that your employer closed and is unreachable. This gives the adjudicator context upfront. My sister's claim was processed within about 2 weeks, and she never had to provide additional verification beyond what she uploaded initially. The system really is built to handle small business closures since they happen frequently.

I went through this exact process about 8 months ago when my accounting firm suddenly shut down. NYS Department of Labor was actually very efficient with the verification - they pulled my wage history automatically from their quarterly reporting system within a few days of filing. What really put me at ease was learning that they have specific protocols for handling business closures. They don't expect you to track down disappeared employers. In my case, I uploaded my last three paystubs, my previous year's W-2, and a brief note explaining that the business had closed suddenly. I also included my final direct deposit statement from my bank showing my last paycheck. The adjudicator called me about a week later just to confirm the closure details, but it was a very straightforward conversation. She mentioned that business closures are flagged in their system as automatic involuntary separations, so the focus is just on verifying you actually worked there and when your last day was. My benefits started two weeks after filing. The key is having any documentation that shows you were employed there - paystubs are perfect for this. Don't worry too much about the missing employer; the state deals with this situation all the time.