Had this exact same issue a few weeks ago! The phone system is definitely the only way to fix it. Just wanted to add that you can also try calling 833-910-2469 which is their tech support line - sometimes has shorter wait times than the main number. Make sure to press 0 to get to a human agent instead of going through all the automated menus. They were able to update my phone number and reset my 2FA in about 15 minutes once I got through.

Just went through this nightmare last week! Another tip that worked for me - if you can't get through on the phone lines, try going to your local career center/one-stop office in person. They have a direct line to the DOL and can sometimes help with account issues like this. I went to mine in Albany and they got me connected to someone within 20 minutes. Way better than sitting on hold for hours! You'll still need all your ID info but at least you have someone helping advocate for you.

Just make sure you file your claim right away even if you think you might get denied. There's a time limit and if you wait too long you could lose out on benefits entirely. The worst they can do is say no but at least you'll have your application in the system.

I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago. Got fired for attendance issues at my warehouse job - mostly late arrivals due to childcare problems. I was honest on my unemployment application about being terminated for attendance but explained the circumstances. NYS Department of Labor approved my claim after about 2 weeks of review. The key is documenting any legitimate reasons for your absences and being upfront about everything. Don't let them catch you being dishonest because that will definitely hurt your case. File as soon as you can after termination and be prepared to provide any documentation that supports your side of the story.

Update: I certified yesterday (Monday) and my payment just hit my account this morning (Wednesday). Only one day later than usual. Thanks everyone for the reassurance and helpful info!

That's awesome that it worked out so quickly! I'm new to NY unemployment and was worried about the same thing. It's really reassuring to see that missing Sunday isn't the end of the world. This whole thread has been super helpful for understanding how the system actually works vs what I was stressing about. Definitely bookmarking this for future reference!

I think this is pretty common actually. The state wants to collect what they're owed but they also know people need unemployment benefits to survive. File your weekly claims on time and keep job searching - that's what matters for staying eligible.

I went through this exact situation a few years ago when I owed the state about $3,200 in back taxes. You can definitely still file and get approved for unemployment benefits - the tax debt won't disqualify you from receiving UI. What happened in my case was they offset about 25% of my weekly benefit amount to pay down the tax debt, but I still received the majority of my benefits. You should get a notice explaining the offset once it starts. The most important thing is to file your claim right away since there's a waiting period, and don't let the tax issue delay you from applying for benefits you've earned through your work history.

I'm actually going through this exact same situation right now - my severance runs out at the end of February and I've been stressing about the timing for weeks! Reading through everyone's experiences here has been so reassuring. What I've learned from my research and talking to others who've been through this is that you can definitely file immediately after your last severance payment ends. I've already set up my my.ny.gov account and started organizing all my documents (termination letter, severance agreement, recent pay stubs) so I'm ready to go on March 1st. One thing that's helped me feel more prepared is creating a simple calendar tracking each severance payment date - that way I know exactly when to file without any confusion. I've also been quietly researching companies and saving job postings to a folder, not actually applying yet but getting ready for those work search requirements that kick in from day one. The consensus from everyone seems to be that as long as you file promptly after severance ends and have your documentation ready, the process is pretty straightforward for layoff situations like ours. Thanks to everyone who shared their timelines and tips - it's made this whole transition feel much more manageable!

I'm in the exact same situation as you - lost my job in September and my severance runs through the end of January. From all the research I've done and the helpful experiences shared in this thread, you should absolutely be able to file for unemployment benefits once your severance officially ends in February. The key is to file immediately after your last payment - don't wait even a day or two because you want to avoid any gaps in coverage. I've already started preparing by setting up my my.ny.gov account (which takes a few days to verify), gathering all my termination paperwork and severance agreement, and creating a folder with recent pay stubs. One tip I learned is to take screenshots of your severance agreement showing the exact end date, since NYS Department of Labor will ask for specific dates and amounts when you file online. Also, definitely start thinking about your job search strategy now even though you can't officially apply while on severance - having a plan ready will help you meet those work search requirements from day one of your claim. The whole process seems much more straightforward than I initially thought, especially for layoff situations like ours. You're being smart by planning ahead!