Had this exact same issue last week! Turns out after you create the PIN, you need to wait 24-48 hours for it to fully activate in their system before the weekly certification option shows up. Super annoying that they don't tell you this upfront. Once mine activated, the "Certify for Benefits" button appeared right on the main dashboard. If it's been more than 2 days since you created your PIN and you still don't see it, definitely try the phone certification option that @Fidel Carson mentioned - that automated system saved my butt when the website was being glitchy.

Another tip that might help - if you're still having trouble after the PIN activates, try logging in during off-peak hours (like early morning or late evening). The system tends to be less glitchy when fewer people are using it. I learned this the hard way after trying to certify during lunch breaks and getting nothing but error messages. Also, @Honorah King, make sure you're going to the official ny.gov unemployment site and not any third-party sites that might look similar. There are some sketchy copycat sites out there that can confuse the process. Hope you get it sorted soon!

Same boat here - had to close my photography business last year and couldn't get any unemployment. Ended up having to take a retail job just to qualify for benefits if I ever get laid off again. It's backwards but that's how the system works.

Have you considered looking into New York State's other assistance programs while you're figuring out the unemployment situation? The Department of Social Services has programs like SNAP (food assistance) and emergency cash assistance that might help bridge the gap. Also, if you're planning to shut down the LLC, you might want to consult with an accountant about any tax implications - sometimes there are deductions or loss carryforwards that can help reduce your tax burden. It's not unemployment benefits, but every bit helps when cash flow is tight.

Speaking of dealing with the NYS Department of Labor, if you ever need to actually contact them about a claim, I had good luck using Claimyr (claimyr.com). They help you get through to an actual agent instead of being stuck in phone tree hell. There's a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Way better than spending hours trying to call yourself.

Just to add some context for OP - the employer unemployment tax rates in NY actually vary based on the employer's "experience rating." New employers start at around 4.1%, but companies with fewer layoffs can get rates as low as 0.6%, while those with lots of claims can pay up to 9.9%. So employers do have financial incentive to minimize unemployment claims, which is why some fight legitimate claims. It's a balancing act - the system needs to be funded but also fair to workers who genuinely need benefits.

just file when you normally do, the computer doesnt take days off lol

I work for a bank and can confirm what Miguel said about payment delays - while you can file your claim normally on federal holidays through the online system, direct deposits and other electronic payments typically get delayed by one business day when banks are closed. So if you normally get your unemployment payment on Tuesday, it might come Wednesday after Presidents Day. The important thing is to file by your usual Sunday midnight deadline to avoid any issues with your claim.

The whole NYS Department of Labor system is such a mess anyway. Half the time their offices are closed for random reasons and the other half the phones don't work. Presidents Day is just another excuse for them to not help people who desperately need their benefits.

I've been dealing with NYS DOL for months now and can confirm they follow federal holiday schedules. Presidents Day = closed offices and no phone support. Pro tip though - if you have any documents to submit, you can usually drop them in the secure drop box outside most offices even when they're closed. Just make sure everything is properly labeled with your SSN and claim number. The online portal for weekly certifications stays up like others mentioned, but don't expect any human assistance until Tuesday.