Just wanted to add that while they don't send regular emails, you might get one if there's an issue with your weekly certification or if your claim gets flagged for review. I got an email once when I missed my weekly filing deadline - it was pretty generic but did direct me to log into my account to resolve the issue. The key thing is definitely checking your online messages frequently since that's where all the real communication happens.

I've been dealing with NYS DOL for a few months now and can confirm what others have said - they rarely send actual emails. Most communication happens through the my.ny.gov messaging system. One thing I learned the hard way is to screenshot important messages in your inbox because sometimes older messages seem to disappear or get buried. Also, if you're waiting on adjudication like I was, don't panic if you don't hear anything for weeks - that seems to be normal unfortunately. The text notification feature that Connor mentioned is definitely worth setting up though!

ugh the whole system is so confusing!! why cant they just make it simple for people who are already going through hard times

@Dylan Evans, I went through something similar when I moved from NY to Florida to help with my elderly father. A few key things that helped me: 1) Get a letter from your mom's doctor detailing her condition and need for care - this was crucial for proving "good cause" 2) Keep records of any communication with your employer about remote work options (emails, etc.) to show you tried to keep the job 3) File your claim ASAP even while gathering documents - you can submit additional proof during adjudication. The process was stressful but NYS Department of Labor did approve my case once I provided the medical documentation. Hang in there!

As someone who just went through an unemployment audit last month, I cannot stress enough how important it is to keep detailed records of EVERYTHING. I thought I was being smart by only documenting what I reported on my weekly claims, but when they selected me for review, they wanted to see 16 weeks worth of comprehensive job search activities. I had to provide proof for every single contact I made - not just the 3 per week I reported, but all of them. They also asked for documentation of networking activities, career fair attendance, skills training, and even time spent researching companies and industries. The audit process was actually pretty straightforward once I had all my documentation organized, but it would have been a nightmare if I hadn't been keeping thorough records. My advice: treat every job search activity like it might need to be verified later, because it very well might be!

This whole thread has been incredibly eye-opening! I've been on unemployment for about 8 weeks and I'm realizing I've been doing this completely wrong. I've been applying to probably 15-20 jobs per week but only documenting the 3 I report on my weekly certification. Reading about Nia's audit experience really scared me straight - I had no idea they could ask for documentation of ALL your job search activities, not just what you report. I'm going to start immediately keeping detailed records of everything: every application, every networking call, every company I research. Does anyone have a recommendation for a good spreadsheet template or app that makes this easier to track? I'm also wondering if I should reach out to NYS Department of Labor proactively to ask about best practices for documentation, or if that might somehow flag my account for review. Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences here - this community is saving me from potentially losing my benefits due to poor record keeping!

The whole unemployment system is so confusing with all these random fields they ask for. Half the time NYS Department of Labor already has the information anyway but they still make you jump through hoops. Just fill out what you can and submit it - they'll contact you if they need anything else.

I had the exact same issue when I filed a few months ago! I spent way too much time searching through old documents looking for this number. Turns out you can just skip it entirely. NYS Department of Labor will match your employer based on the business name and your Social Security number from their records. Don't stress about it - just make sure you have the correct business name and address and you'll be fine.

I just wanted to share another method that worked for me when I couldn't find my account number anywhere - if you have the NYS DOL mobile app installed, sometimes the account information shows up more clearly there than on the desktop website. The app interface is a bit different and might display your account details in a more obvious spot. Also, if you received any automated phone calls from NYS DOL after filing your claim, they sometimes include your account number in the voicemail message. I know it's frustrating when such an important piece of information seems to disappear, but don't give up! Between all the suggestions everyone has shared here, you should be able to track it down. The system definitely needs better user experience design - having your account number prominently displayed on the main dashboard would save everyone so much hassle!

I had this exact same problem a couple months back and it was so stressful! After trying all the usual places (email, my.ny.gov dashboard, etc.), what finally worked for me was calling the automated phone system at 1-888-581-5812 and following the prompts for "claim information." Even though I didn't have my account number to enter initially, there's an option to use your SSN and date of birth instead, and then the system actually reads your account number back to you before proceeding. It's kind of buried in the menu options, but if you listen carefully to all the prompts, you'll find it. Also, once I got my account number this way, I immediately saved it in three different places - my phone notes, a screenshot, and wrote it on a sticky note by my computer. The NY unemployment system is definitely not intuitive, but don't panic about deadlines - they're usually pretty understanding if you explain you had trouble accessing your account info. Hope this helps!