ugh the whole at-will thing is so confusing! like they can fire you for literally anything but then sometimes you can still get unemployment?? makes no sense to me but glad it worked out for you OP

Just wanted to add that when you file your claim, make sure to emphasize that your termination was due to "lack of work" or "position elimination" rather than performance issues. NYS Department of Labor has specific categories for separation reasons, and choosing the right one can help streamline your approval process. Also, don't forget that you'll need to certify for benefits every week once your claim is processed - you can do this online or by phone. Good luck with your claim!

When all else fails... I hate to say it but filing for a hearing sometimes works. Go to your account and request a hearing about your claim. It forces them to look at your file. I waited 5 months of nothing, filed for a hearing, and suddenly got a call from DOL 3 days later apologizing for the delay and fixing my claim on the spot.

I'm going through something similar right now - 2.5 months pending with zero communication from DOL. Based on what everyone's sharing here, it sounds like the multi-pronged approach is the way to go. I'm definitely going to try contacting my state senator's office first since that seems to have worked for several people, and if that doesn't pan out quickly I might give that Claimyr service a shot. The idea of paying to get through seems crazy but honestly at this point my time is worth more than sitting on hold for hours every day with nothing to show for it. Thanks everyone for sharing what actually worked - this thread is more helpful than anything I've found on the official DOL website!

The unemployment system is so confusing! I thought I understood it but then my claim went into adjudication and I realized I had no clue what half these terms meant. At least now I know I can work part-time and still get benefits.

Just want to add that the "able and available" requirement is really important - I learned this the hard way. Even if you're unemployed, if you have restrictions on when/where you can work (like only certain hours due to childcare), you need to report that accurately. NYS DOL considers your availability when determining eligibility. Also, the base period earnings requirement trips up a lot of people - you need sufficient wages in your base period (usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you file). If you haven't worked much in the past year, you might not qualify even if you're currently unemployed.

I finally got thru to NY unemployment about fraud on my account by using claimyr.com - seriously saved me so much time and frustration. The fraud department took my case right away once I actually got a human on the phone. Worth checking out if you're still struggling to reach them.

This is definitely identity theft - the fact that someone updated your address and SSN info in February without your knowledge is a dead giveaway. I went through something similar last year and here's what worked for me: 1) Report it to NYSDOL's fraud hotline (keep trying different times), 2) File a police report immediately, 3) Contact the FTC at IdentityTheft.gov, 4) Freeze your credit at all three bureaus, and 5) Check if any money was actually loaded onto that KeyBank card. The sooner you act, the easier it'll be to resolve. Don't panic but definitely treat this as urgent - unemployment fraud often leads to other types of identity theft. Document everything and keep detailed records of all your calls and reports.

From what I understand, NYS Department of Labor treats stopped certification as you declaring yourself no longer unemployed or available for work. This means your claim ends permanently - not just paused. If your circumstances change and you become unemployed again, you'd file as a new claimant, not a continued claim. The job search requirements are annoying but way easier than going through the entire application and waiting period again.

I was in a similar situation last month and almost stopped certifying because I was so burned out from the weekly requirements. What helped me push through was setting up a simple system - I keep a basic spreadsheet with just the minimum required job contacts and spend 30 minutes every Sunday updating it. The weekly certification then takes me maybe 10 minutes instead of the hour it used to take when I was scrambling to remember what I did. Trust me, the temporary frustration is nothing compared to having to restart the entire process. The NYS system is definitely designed to be annoying, but once you find your rhythm it becomes much more manageable.