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I'm having this exact same issue right now! Just went through the whole ID.me verification process on my Samsung Galaxy and I'm stuck at that stupid "Return to the other open browser tab" message. There's literally no other tab open - it's so misleading! Based on all these comments, I'm going to try the manual workaround that everyone's mentioning. Sounds like the key is opening a new tab, going directly to labor.ny.gov, and logging back in with my regular NY.gov credentials while keeping the ID.me tab open until I successfully get back into the unemployment portal. It's honestly ridiculous that this basic redirect functionality is broken on mobile and they haven't bothered to fix it. How many people probably give up at this exact step? The whole system feels intentionally frustrating. Really appreciate everyone sharing their solutions here - this thread has been more helpful than hours of trying to figure it out on my own! Going to try this now and hopefully I can finally move forward with my claim. Will update if it works! 🤞
Just wanted to jump in here since I went through this exact same nightmare about 2 weeks ago! The manual workaround absolutely works - I was stuck at that same "return to other browser tab" screen for hours before finding this solution. Don't close that ID.me tab until you've successfully logged back into the unemployment portal though! I made that mistake the first time and had to redo the whole verification process 🤦♀️ Really hoping NY fixes this broken redirect soon but at least we've all figured out the workaround. Good luck and definitely update us when you get through!
I'm dealing with this exact same issue right now on my iPhone! Just finished the ID.me verification about 30 minutes ago and I'm stuck staring at that same "Return to the other open browser tab" message. So frustrating because like everyone else said, there literally is no other tab open on mobile! Reading through all these solutions, I'm definitely going to try the manual workaround that multiple people have confirmed works. Sounds like the key is opening a new tab, going directly to labor.ny.gov, and logging back in with my regular NY.gov credentials while keeping that ID.me tab open as a backup. It's absolutely mind-blowing that such a basic redirect function is broken on mobile and they just... leave it that way? Like how is this not a priority fix when so many people are clearly running into this exact problem? The whole system really does feel designed to make us give up. Anyway, about to try this workaround now. Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences and actual working solutions - this community thread has been way more helpful than anything on the official NY unemployment site! Will definitely update if it works for me too 🤞
I keep a simple spreadsheet with columns for date, company name, job title, where I applied (Indeed, LinkedIn, etc.), and any notes. Haven't had any issues with DOL when they've reviewed my records. The key is being consistent and showing you're actively searching. Screenshot confirmations when you can, but detailed notes should be sufficient for most cases.
This is really helpful! I'm new to filing for unemployment and wasn't sure about the documentation requirements. Do you include the job posting URL in your spreadsheet too, or just the basic details you mentioned? I want to make sure I'm covering all my bases in case they ask for more information during a review.
I include the URL when I can, but honestly those Indeed URLs can be really long and sometimes the postings get removed after a while. I focus more on having solid details like company name, exact job title, date applied, and a brief description of the role. If you're worried about documentation, you could always take a screenshot of the job posting when you apply - that way you have the full details even if the link goes dead later.
Just want to add that you should also keep track of how many work search activities you're doing per week - NYS requires a minimum number depending on your situation. I learned this the hard way when I got selected for a review and realized I was only doing 2 activities some weeks when I needed 3. Indeed applications definitely count, but make sure you're meeting the weekly minimum requirement. You can also mix it up with networking events, job fairs, or contacting employers directly to reach your quota.
Great point about the weekly minimums! I didn't realize there were different requirements depending on your situation. Is there an easy way to find out exactly how many work search activities I need to do per week? I want to make sure I'm not falling short like you did. Also, when you mention networking events and job fairs, do those count as separate activities even if I don't apply to specific jobs at them?
@69130aba881c You can find your specific work search requirements in your unemployment determination letter or by logging into your NY.gov account. Most people need 3 activities per week, but it can vary. And yes, networking events and job fairs definitely count as separate activities! You just need to document what you did - like "attended XYZ job fair, spoke with 5 employers" or "attended networking event at local library." The key is showing you're actively looking for work in multiple ways, not just clicking apply buttons.
I'm dealing with a similar situation at my company right now - they just announced a 25% pay cut for everyone in our department. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly helpful, especially knowing that NYS Department of Labor does recognize substantial pay cuts as good cause for quitting. I've been with my company for 3 years and this would drop my salary from $48,000 to $36,000, which would make it impossible for me to cover my rent and basic expenses. I'm planning to start documenting everything immediately like you all suggested - the original announcement, my current pay stubs, and any follow-up communications. It's scary to think about quitting, but it sounds like there's a real path forward with unemployment benefits if I handle it properly. Thanks for sharing all your experiences and advice - it's making me feel less alone in this difficult situation.
I'm so sorry you're going through this too! It's really tough when companies put employees in these impossible positions. Your salary drop from $48k to $36k is definitely substantial enough to qualify under the 20%+ rule that others have mentioned. I'd also suggest keeping track of any meetings or conversations about the pay cut, not just written communications - even notes about verbal discussions can be helpful evidence. One thing I'm wondering about for all of us in this situation is whether we should try to negotiate with our employers first (like asking for reduced hours instead of reduced pay) before quitting, or if that might actually hurt our unemployment claims? It sounds like having a clear paper trail showing the company gave us an ultimatum is important for proving we had no reasonable alternative.
I'm a labor law attorney and wanted to add some legal perspective to this discussion. You're all on the right track - New York does recognize "constructive discharge" when employers make substantial unilateral changes to employment terms. A 30% pay cut definitely qualifies as substantial under NYS case law. However, there are some important timing considerations: 1) Don't accept even one paycheck at the reduced rate if possible, as this could be seen as accepting the new terms, 2) File your unemployment claim within the same week you quit, and 3) Be prepared for the employer to contest your claim - they often do in these situations. Also keep in mind that unemployment benefits in NY are typically 50% of your average weekly wage (up to the maximum), so plan your finances accordingly. Document everything, including any verbal communications, and consider sending a formal resignation letter clearly stating you're resigning due to the substantial reduction in compensation. This creates a clear record of your reasoning.
This is incredibly valuable legal insight - thank you so much for weighing in! The point about not accepting even one paycheck at the reduced rate is really important and something I hadn't considered. If my employer implements the pay cut next month, I should resign before that first reduced paycheck rather than working at the lower rate and then quitting later, correct? Also, when you mention that employers often contest these claims, what does that process typically look like from the employee's perspective? Should I expect to have to provide testimony or attend any kind of hearing? I want to be as prepared as possible since this is already such a stressful situation.
I'm also experiencing this exact same issue! Filed my weekly certification on Sunday, got the "payment released" confirmation email Monday morning, and here I am on day 6 with absolutely nothing in my bank account. This is my first time dealing with this kind of delay - my payments have always been deposited within 1-2 days after the release notification. I was starting to worry that something was wrong with my claim or that I'd made an error somewhere. This thread has been a huge relief because now I know it's a widespread system issue and not just me! It's really frustrating that NYSDOL didn't warn claimants about potential delays when they rolled out their new fraud prevention system. We rely on these payments and need to plan our finances accordingly. I'm going to call my bank tomorrow to make sure they're not holding the deposit on their end, and then maybe try that Claimyr service if I need to reach NYSDOL directly. Thanks to everyone for sharing your experiences - it really helps to know we're all dealing with this together!
Oliver, you've described my situation exactly! It's such a relief to find this thread and realize we're all going through the same thing. I was also panicking thinking I'd done something wrong with my certification or that there was an issue with my banking info. The timing is identical - Sunday certification, Monday release email, now day 6 with nothing. It's really unacceptable that NYSDOL didn't communicate these potential delays upfront, especially when so many people depend on these payments for basic expenses like rent and groceries. I'm planning to call my bank first thing tomorrow too, and it sounds like that Claimyr service might be worth trying if we need to actually speak with someone at NYSDOL. Thanks for sharing your experience - knowing we're all in this boat together definitely makes it less stressful!
I'm new to this community and dealing with the exact same situation! Certified on Sunday, got the "payment released" email on Monday, and it's now been 5 days with no deposit. I've been a nervous wreck thinking I did something wrong with my certification or that there was an issue with my direct deposit info. Finding this thread has been such a relief - it's clear this is a widespread problem affecting tons of people with identical timelines. I can't believe NYSDOL didn't send out any advance notice about potential delays when they implemented their new fraud prevention system. We depend on these payments for rent, groceries, and other essentials - the lack of communication is really unacceptable. I'm going to start by calling my bank tomorrow to rule out any holds on their end, then maybe try that Claimyr service if I need to reach someone at NYSDOL directly. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences and keeping each other informed. It really helps to know we're not alone in this!
Ethan Wilson
Congrats on getting it sorted! This is really helpful info - I'm in a similar situation where I need to change my direct deposit soon and was worried about the timing. Good to know that changing it a few days before certification seems to work. Did you get any kind of confirmation email or notification that the change went through, or did you just have to wait and see if the money showed up in the right place?
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Jean Claude
•I only got a confirmation page when I submitted the change on their website, but no follow-up email or anything. It was nerve-wracking having to just wait and hope it worked! I kept checking my new account obsessively on Monday and Tuesday morning. The money showed up around 6 AM on Tuesday like usual. I'd recommend taking a screenshot of that confirmation page when you make your change, just in case you need it later. Good luck with yours!
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Malik Johnson
Thanks for the update! This is super helpful - I was literally in the same exact boat last week but chickened out and didn't change my bank info because I was too worried about timing. Seeing that it worked for you gives me confidence to finally make the switch. The fact that you changed it Thursday and still got paid Tuesday in the new account is exactly what I needed to know. Definitely going to take that screenshot advice too!
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