Just went through something similar with Grubhub documentation! One thing that really helped me was creating a simple spreadsheet that matched up my app earnings with my bank deposits by date - made it super easy for the NYSDOL reviewer to see everything lined up. Also, if you're missing any months of bank statements, most banks let you download statements going back several years through their online portal for free. Don't stress too much - they really just want to verify you weren't making fraudulent claims. The fact that you actually worked and have some documentation puts you in a much better position than people who were completely fabricating employment.

Hey Giovanni! I just went through this exact same situation with NYSDOL about my DoorDash work from 2019. Here's what worked for me: I created a timeline document showing all my gig work by month, then attached bank statements highlighting the deposits, screenshots from the app, and my 1099s. The key thing they told me when I finally got through to an agent was to include a detailed letter explaining any gaps in documentation and why. For example, if you can't find certain months of bank statements, explain that in your cover letter. Also, make sure to submit everything as one complete package rather than sending documents separately - they apparently have issues tracking multiple submissions. The whole process took about 3 weeks once I submitted everything properly. Don't stress too much - they're really just checking that you weren't making false claims, and it sounds like you have solid proof of actual work. Good luck!

Guys, I heard they're updating the system next month. Might fix some of these issues. Fingers crossed 🤞

I had this exact same issue a few months back! What worked for me was checking if there were any hyphens or apostrophes in the maiden name that I was missing. My mom's maiden name is O'Brien and I kept entering it as OBrien without the apostrophe. Also, try checking if you used the maiden name exactly as it appears on your Social Security card - sometimes there are slight variations. Hope this helps!

have you considered taking on some part time work while you rebuild your business? that way you'd start paying into UI for future protection

I'm in a similar boat - been freelancing as a graphic designer and haven't had steady work in months. From what I've learned, New York does have some options beyond traditional UI that might help. You could look into the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) programs which sometimes offer support for people transitioning between different types of work. Also, if you're willing to take on even part-time W-2 employment, you'd start building eligibility for future unemployment benefits. In the meantime, definitely explore local food banks and utility assistance programs - many don't require you to have been traditionally employed. The struggle is real when you're self-employed and hit a rough patch.

I'm dealing with something similar right now! Been stuck in this certification loop for 2 weeks. What's really frustrating is that I get the confirmation email saying my certification was successful, but then the next day it's like it never happened. I tried calling during different times of day but can never get through to a human. Has anyone tried certifying at different times during the week? I've been doing it on Sundays like you're supposed to, but wondering if there's a better day/time when their system is less glitchy. Also going to try the Claimyr service that people are mentioning - at this point I'm willing to pay to get this resolved since I'm behind on bills too.

This is exactly what happened to me back in October! The certification would go through, I'd get the confirmation, then wake up the next day to find out I supposedly never certified. It's like the system has amnesia. What finally worked for me was discovering I had an old questionnaire buried in my account that I never completed from when I first filed. It was under a different tab and wasn't showing up as a notification anywhere. Once I found it and filled it out, my certifications started going through normally. Check every single section of your account - messages, documents, questionnaires, everything. Sometimes there's a random form or verification requirement hiding somewhere that's blocking your payments without telling you. The NY unemployment system is notorious for this kind of stuff. If you can't find anything, definitely try the phone certification instead of online, or vice versa. Sometimes one method works when the other doesn't. And yeah, keep those screenshots of everything - you'll need proof of your certification attempts when you finally get through to someone.

performance issues vs misconduct is a big difference though. if someone's just not good at their job that's not their fault really, they should get unemployment. if they're stealing or showing up drunk that's different

As someone who went through this recently, I can confirm what others are saying - you don't pay unemployment benefits directly to the employee. The NYS Department of Labor handles all payments from the trust fund that employers like you contribute to through payroll taxes. For performance issues (not misconduct), the employee will likely qualify for benefits, but this doesn't mean extra costs upfront for you. Your future UI tax rate could be affected if you have multiple claims, but that's calculated annually based on your overall claims history. Document everything well for your records, but performance terminations rarely disqualify someone from receiving benefits in NY.