I'm dealing with the exact same issue right now! Been stuck on the facial recognition part for 3 days straight. Reading through all these tips is super helpful - I had no idea about the VPN issue or using a dark surface for the ID scan. Going to try the phone + Safari + natural lighting combo tomorrow morning, and definitely turning off my VPN first. It's so frustrating that such an important process has so many technical glitches, but at least it sounds like most people eventually get through. Thanks everyone for sharing what worked for you - gives me hope I'll figure this out soon!

I went through this exact same frustration about 6 weeks ago! After reading all the great advice here, I want to add one more tip that saved me - if you're still having issues after trying all the lighting/browser/VPN fixes, try using a different device entirely. I was stuck for days using my laptop, but borrowed my roommate's tablet and it worked on the first try. Sometimes it's just a compatibility issue with your specific device's camera or processing power. Also, I found that doing it around 10 AM on weekdays worked best - seems like their servers are less overloaded then. The 844-464-3363 number Connor mentioned is legit, but yeah expect a long wait. Document everything with screenshots like Paolo suggested - that saved me when I had to explain the delays to unemployment later. Good luck, you'll get through this!

Just wanted to follow up - did you manage to get through? I found that using a landline (if you have access to one) sometimes works better than a cell phone. Something about how their phone system processes the calls.

So glad you got through! The 7:58am trick really does work - I've recommended it to several people and it seems to be the sweet spot before the lines get completely jammed. Congrats on getting your claim completed! For anyone else still struggling, definitely try calling right before 8am on a Wednesday or Thursday. And yes, having all your employment info ready is crucial - they move fast once you're connected and don't want to waste time looking things up.

I'm completely new to seasonal work and just discovered this community through some online searching about unemployment benefits. I recently completed my first seasonal job working at a local pumpkin patch and corn maze that ran from September through November, and I honestly had no clue that seasonal workers could be eligible for unemployment benefits! This entire thread has been such a revelation - I was literally planning to just live off my savings until I could find another seasonal position in the spring. Reading through everyone's detailed experiences and success stories with NYS DOL has completely changed my perspective and given me the confidence to actually file a claim. I'm particularly grateful for all the practical advice about the $2,600 base period minimum, keeping detailed job search documentation, and being transparent about seasonal employment patterns. The fact that there's actually a system in place to support workers like us during transition periods is incredible. I'm planning to gather all my employment documents this weekend and file my first application early next week. Thank you all for creating such a supportive and informative community - it's amazing to find people who actually understand the realities of seasonal work instead of just suggesting we get "regular" jobs!

I'm also brand new to seasonal work and just found this incredible thread! I recently finished my first seasonal job at a local Christmas tree lot and was completely stressed about how to handle the gap until next holiday season. Reading through everyone's experiences has been such a relief - I had absolutely no idea that seasonal workers could qualify for unemployment benefits in New York! Like so many others here, I was just planning to burn through my savings and hope for the best. The detailed advice about the $2,600 base period requirement, keeping job search spreadsheets, and being honest about seasonal work patterns is exactly what I needed to hear. It's amazing to discover there's actually a support system designed for workers like us instead of being penalized for choosing seasonal employment. I'm definitely going to file my claim this week after gathering all my employment documents. Thank you to everyone who shared their success stories and practical tips - this community is such a valuable resource for navigating the unique challenges of seasonal work!

I'm going through this exact same situation right now! Filed my claim about 10 days ago and have been absolutely stressed seeing those $0s everywhere. I was convinced something was wrong with my application. This thread has been incredibly helpful - it's amazing how many of us are dealing with the identical experience. The NY system really should explain that this is normal processing instead of just showing $0 with no context! I got a document request in my portal yesterday asking for my W2 forms, which I uploaded immediately after reading everyone's advice here. Based on the timelines people are sharing, it sounds like I should see movement within the next week or two. Already set up my Sunday certification reminder - definitely don't want to miss out on that backpay! It's so reassuring to hear from people who actually made it through this process successfully. The waiting is nerve-wracking when you need these benefits, but knowing this is just how their system works makes it much more bearable. Thanks to everyone sharing their experiences - you're providing way better information than the actual NY unemployment website! 🙏

I'm currently dealing with this exact same issue! Filed my claim about a week ago and seeing those $0 amounts everywhere was honestly terrifying. I was convinced I'd somehow messed up my application or didn't qualify. This thread has been such a lifesaver - it's incredible how many people are going through the identical experience right now. The NY unemployment system really needs better communication during processing. A simple "Claim under review - processing typically takes 2-4 weeks" message would save so much unnecessary anxiety! I haven't received any document requests in my portal yet, but based on everyone's timelines here it sounds like I should expect something soon. Just set up my Sunday certification reminder after reading all these comments - seems like that weekly certification is absolutely crucial even when everything shows $0. The waiting is stressful when you're depending on these benefits to pay bills, but reading all these success stories about getting backpay makes me feel so much more confident. It's amazing how this community provides the clarity that the actual NY unemployment website completely fails to give. Thanks to everyone sharing their experiences and timelines - you're helping so many anxious newcomers like me understand this confusing process! 🙏

Just wanted to share my recent experience since it might help others. I got audited in February 2025 after being on unemployment for about 4 months. It wasn't as scary as I thought it would be, but I'm really glad I had been keeping decent records. They asked for documentation from 8 specific weeks of my claim - not the whole thing. I had to provide proof of job searches, any income I reported, and explain a gap where I had marked "yes" to being available for work but hadn't applied to jobs that week (I was sick with the flu). The whole process took about 3 weeks from when I got the letter to when they approved everything. I submitted everything through the online portal and got an email confirmation that my benefits would continue. My advice: definitely keep those detailed records everyone mentioned. I used a simple Google Sheet with columns for date, company, position, how I applied, and any follow-up. Saved me a lot of stress when the audit came!

Thanks for posting this question - I've been wondering the same thing! I'm about 6 weeks into my claim and have been pretty casual about record keeping, but reading all these responses is making me realize I need to step up my game. I've been doing my job searches but mostly just saving confirmation emails in a random folder. Sounds like I need to get way more organized with a proper spreadsheet and screenshots. Better to be over-prepared than scrambling if I get selected for an audit. Has anyone found a good template or system for tracking all this stuff? I'm thinking I'll start with what @Isaac Wright suggested but wondering if there are any other details I should be capturing that might not be obvious.