Just wanted to jump in here since I went through this exact same nightmare about 3 months ago! Your IDNYC definitely won't work - I spent hours trying different combinations of those 14 digits before I realized it's a completely different system. Here's what saved me time and sanity: **Emergency passport check:** Look for ANY old passport, even if it's expired. Mine was expired for 10 months and still worked for the unemployment system. **DMV reality check:** If you need the non-driver ID route, the Bronx Hub location on 3rd Ave sometimes has shorter wait times for walk-ins compared to the popular Queens locations everyone mentions. **Phone strategy:** That 8:01 AM call time is legit - I got through on my second try using that timing. Have your social security number ready and explain you're actively getting proper state ID but need to file urgently. **Document prep:** Bring your IDNYC to the DMV anyway - it actually speeds up their verification process even though it's not the main ID they're issuing. The whole thing is frustrating but super common. Don't stress too much - once you get proper ID the actual unemployment filing is pretty straightforward. You're not alone in this bureaucratic maze! Also bookmark that claimyr service people mentioned - totally worth the $20 if you need to talk to someone quickly once you have your documents sorted. Hang in there! 💪

I literally just went through this exact same thing 2 weeks ago! Your IDNYC won't work at all - I tried every possible way to format those 14 digits and the system just keeps rejecting it. Here's what finally worked for me: **First - check everywhere for an old passport!** Mine was buried in a box and expired 8 months ago but still worked perfectly for the unemployment system. **If no passport:** The DMV route is your only option but here are some time-savers: - Fordham Road DMV in the Bronx does walk-ins Tuesday/Thursday mornings before 10am - Bring birth certificate + social security card + 2 pieces of mail + $9 exact cash - Your IDNYC actually helps as supporting ID even though it can't be the primary one **Phone hack:** Call unemployment at exactly 8:01 AM (not 8:00 when everyone else calls). Got through on my first try! They sometimes can put a temporary hold on your claim while you get proper ID. I know it's super stressful when you need benefits urgently, but don't try to force those IDNYC digits - it'll just flag your application for fraud review and create way bigger delays. The good news is once you get proper state ID, the rest of the process is actually pretty smooth. This IDNYC issue is incredibly common - you're definitely not alone! Also that claimyr service people mentioned is legit - used it myself and worth every penny to skip the phone wait times. You got this! Just need to tackle the ID piece first and then everything else falls into place. 🙏

I'm dealing with this exact same issue right now! Reported 16 hours of part-time work on my certification this week and boom - "break in claim" status. It's so stressful when you're already struggling financially and then the system throws you this curveball with zero explanation. Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences - it's really reassuring to know this is just a normal processing delay and not something I messed up. I'll definitely keep certifying weekly and try to be patient for the next few days. Has anyone noticed if there's a particular day of the week when these usually get resolved, or is it pretty random?

I'm in the EXACT same boat right now - reported 14 hours of part-time work yesterday and woke up to that terrifying "break in claim" message this morning! My heart literally dropped because like you, I have bills due next week and was depending on that payment. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been such a lifesaver though. It sounds like this is completely normal for first-time part-time work reporting and should resolve within the next few business days. I'm definitely going to keep certifying weekly like everyone suggested and try not to panic. Thank you so much for posting this question - knowing I'm not the only one going through this makes it so much less scary! Hoping we both get good news soon 🤞

Just wanted to add that if you're getting your unemployment via debit card instead of direct deposit, those delays can sometimes be even longer during holidays. The card issuer (KeyBank for NYS) has their own processing schedule on top of the DOL's schedule. I learned this the hard way last Veterans Day when my payment was delayed an extra day beyond what I expected. If you're in a tight spot financially, it might be worth calling KeyBank directly to ask about their holiday processing schedule too.

I've been getting my unemployment payments for about 6 months now and can confirm what others are saying about holiday delays. The payments definitely get pushed to the next business day when there's a federal holiday. One thing I learned is to always check the DOL website or your online account dashboard - they usually post a notice about holiday payment schedules a few days in advance. It's saved me from panicking when my payment didn't show up on the expected day. Also, if you're really tight on money during these delays, some food banks and emergency assistance programs understand these timing issues and can help bridge the gap.

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now. From what I've researched, NYS Department of Labor uses a "substantially less favorable" standard for wages, and many sources suggest that's typically around 20% less than your previous wage. A $3/hour reduction could definitely qualify depending on your previous hourly rate. The 45-minute commute is also significant - that's 1.5 hours of unpaid travel time daily which adds up to substantial costs and time. I'd recommend calling NYS Department of Labor directly to discuss your specific situation before declining, and definitely keep detailed records of the job offer including the wage, location, hours, and lack of benefits. Document your reasoning for declining and continue actively job searching to show good faith effort.

I'm actually going through something very similar right now too. Based on what I've learned from my research and speaking with other claimants, the combination of factors you mentioned - $3/hour pay cut, 45-minute commute, no benefits, and only a possibility of permanent work - would likely give you valid grounds to decline. The travel time alone is a major consideration since that's 1.5 hours of your day unpaid, plus gas and vehicle wear. I'd suggest calling NYS Department of Labor before making your final decision to discuss your specific circumstances. When you do decline (if you choose to), make sure to document everything: the exact job details, your previous wage for comparison, the commute time/distance, and your reasoning. Keep applying to other positions actively to show you're genuinely seeking work. From what others have shared, they're usually more lenient about wage/location requirements early in your claim period, so being only a few weeks in should work in your favor.

I'm new to this community but wanted to share some encouragement - your situation isn't as hopeless as it might seem. The fact that you have 2 years of good employment history and clear documentation of excessive mandatory overtime hours puts you in a much stronger position than you might think. I've been reading through unemployment law cases and employers who create dangerous working conditions through excessive scheduling often lose these adjudication battles. Make sure when you file your claim that you explicitly state the hours were mandatory (not voluntary) and that you had raised concerns about the exhausting schedule. Also, if you have any coworkers who witnessed your good work ethic or can attest to the unreasonable schedule, consider asking them to provide statements. NYS Department of Labor looks at the whole picture, not just the single incident. File your claim immediately and don't let this setback discourage you - you paid into the system and deserve a fair review of your case.

Welcome to the community! I'm also new here but have been following this discussion closely since I'm facing a somewhat similar situation with my own unemployment claim. What strikes me about your case is how well-documented everything is - the 70+ hour weeks, mandatory overtime, clean employment record, and the context of being short-staffed. From what I've learned reading through other posts here, NYS Department of Labor really does consider the totality of circumstances, especially when employer policies create unsafe working conditions. The fact that you dozed off due to exhaustion from mandatory excessive hours is fundamentally different from other types of workplace misconduct. I'd definitely recommend filing your claim immediately like others have suggested, and make sure to emphasize that the overtime wasn't voluntary and that you had expressed concerns about the workload. Your situation seems to have several strong mitigating factors that could work in your favor during adjudication. Good luck with your claim!