I'm going through this same nightmare right now! Been laid off for a week and trying to file but can't find the option anywhere. This thread is already saving me so much time - I was starting to think I was losing my mind. Going to try the Vincent's method first (clearing cache, using My NY.gov dashboard route) and then work through the browser/ad blocker suggestions if that doesn't work. It's absolutely ridiculous that filing for unemployment requires a computer science degree these days! Thank you everyone for documenting all these workarounds. Will definitely update if I discover anything new in my quest to actually file a claim 🙄

Wow, reading through this whole thread has been eye-opening! I'm about to start looking for work after finishing school and had no idea the NY unemployment system was this complicated. It's honestly pretty scary that if I ever need to file, it might take days of troubleshooting just to access the basic service. Really appreciate everyone documenting all these workarounds though - I'm bookmarking this thread just in case. It's amazing how this community came together to solve what should be a simple government function. Hopefully NY fixes these issues soon, but until then at least we have each other's backs!

Same thing happened to me last month! Turns out there was some kind of identity verification hold that didn't show up anywhere obvious on my account. Took calling NYS Department of Labor to find out what was going on.

If your payment history shows 'issued' but you haven't received it, there might be a bank routing issue or your claim could be flagged for review. Sometimes NYS Department of Labor does random audits that freeze payments temporarily. You'll need to speak with someone to get the real story.

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Filed in mid-November and still stuck in pending adjudication. What's really frustrating is how little information they give you about what's actually happening or when you might hear back. I've been keeping detailed records of all my weekly certifications and any correspondence, just in case there are issues later. Have you tried reaching out to your local career center? Sometimes they can provide updates or at least help you understand what stage your claim is in. Hang in there - I know how stressful it is when bills are piling up and you're just waiting in limbo.

I'm so sorry you're going through this stress - 6 weeks without any payment is really tough, especially during the holidays. One thing that might help is contacting your state assemblyperson or senator's office. They often have constituent services that can make inquiries on your behalf to NYS DOL and sometimes get faster responses than individuals calling directly. Also, if you haven't already, make sure you have documentation of your layoff (like a layoff notice or separation letter) readily available in case they request it. The fact that 30 people were laid off should actually work in your favor since it clearly establishes the reason for separation. Keep hanging in there and definitely keep doing those weekly certifications!

I went through this exact same situation last year when I got laid off from my job in Albany. The good news is that NY really did eliminate the waiting week, so you can get benefits starting from your first week of unemployment. I filed my claim on a Wednesday and got my first payment 2.5 weeks later. The most important thing is to file your initial claim ASAP - you can do it online at labor.ny.gov. With your salary of $45k, you should qualify for a decent weekly benefit amount. Just make sure you keep filing your weekly certifications even while waiting for approval, and don't forget to report any part-time work or income. The process isn't as scary as some people make it sound if your case is straightforward like a layoff.

Just went through this exact process last month after getting laid off from my marketing job. You're right to file ASAP - I filed mine on a Thursday and got my first payment exactly 16 days later via direct deposit. The NY system actually works pretty well for straightforward layoffs like yours. One tip: when you file online, have your last 18 months of pay stubs ready because they might ask for employment verification later. Also, make sure to set up direct deposit right away in your application - it's much faster than waiting for a debit card to arrive in the mail. With your work history and salary, you should have no issues qualifying. The weekly certifications become routine after the first couple times, just don't overthink the job search questions - they're pretty reasonable about what counts as looking for work.

Been dealing with unemployment taxes for years and honestly the whole system is a pain. Rates keep going up and the paperwork is endless. At least now you can file quarterly reports online instead of mailing them in like the old days.

Just went through this process myself last year when my consulting firm hit the employee threshold. One thing to add - you'll want to make sure you understand the difference between the State Unemployment Insurance (SUI) tax and the Reemployment Service Fund tax that Connor mentioned. The 4.1% new employer rate is just for SUI. The 0.075% reemployment fund tax applies to ALL wages (not just the first $12,300), so factor that into your payroll calculations. Also, keep detailed records from day one - your future tax rates will depend on your claims history, so good documentation helps if there are ever disputes about benefit eligibility for former employees.